GRAND FALLS – Connor Richard scored three times while Ethan Clements found the back of the net on two occasions, guiding the Campbellton Tigers to a 9-4 victory Sunday afternoon against the Rapids at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
The Tigers took a 2-1 lead at the mid-way point of the first period and they never looked back, even adding five unanswered goals in the final frame.
Ben Diamond scored twice for the Rapids, his 28th and 29th goals of the season, while Dominic LeBlanc and Josh Russell completed the scoring.
The final score does not indicate however how close the game was until the third period. Campbellton led 3-2 after twenty minutes of play and 4-3 after two periods.
Connor Richard scored his first goal of the game at 6:08 of the opening period as his wrist shot found the back of the net through traffic.
Ben Diamond tied the score a few seconds later for Grand Falls on a one-timer in front of Tigers’ netminder Jacob Carrier. The visitors regained the lead at 10:05 on Daniel Khatib’s 6th goal of the season, but it was followed shortly thereafter with Dominic LeBlanc’s 27th tally of the season on a week wrist shot from the face off dot that beat Carrier, bringing the score even at 2-2.
The Tigers would take the lead once again at 18:07 following a scramble in front of netminder Charles-Antoine Julien. Justin David was the recipient of the goal, his 26th of the season.
Each team got on the board once in the middle frame. Connor Richard scored his second of the contest at 1:39, followed by Josh Russell’s power play goal scored on a rebound in front of the net.
The Tigers led 4-3 after two periods of play as shots were 28-19 in favour of Cambellton.
The Tigers scored five goals in the third period, most of them coming as a result of a rebound in front of the net. Ethan Clements scored twice while Kyle MacIntyre, Connor Richard (his second of the game) and Dawson Stairs pushed the lead to 6 goals.
Ben Diamond would add his second tally of the contest at 14:21 while the Rapids were playing with the man advantage. It was also Diamond’s 29th goal of the season.
For the second game in a row, the Rapids allowed over 50 shots on net. The final tally was 56-25 in favour of the Tigers.
The Rapids will return to action on Wednesday night at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre as they clash with the Truro Bearcats. Puck drop is at 7:30 pm.
Patrick Thibault
GAME NOTES:
*Three Campbellton players fiished the game with 3 points on Sunday afternoon: Connor Richard (3g), Justin David (1g 2a) and Eli Reimer (3a).
For the Rapids, Ben Diamond scored twice while Yannic Bastarache and Mathis Huot both picked up 2 assists.
*The Rapids finished the game 2 for 3 on the power play with goals coming from Josh Russell and Ben Diamond.
Campbellton was scoreless in two PP opportunities.
*Nathan Michaud saw action for 6 minutes between the pipes for the Rapids at the end of the third period, allowing no goals. Michaud is a product of the Thomas-Albert Élites of the high school hockey program.
*Game attendance: 697 spectators
*Three stars of the game: Connor Richard (CAM); Eli Reimer (CAM); Ben Diamond (GFR)
Scoring
1st
6:08 CAM Connor Richard (25) ASST: Justin David (40), Ryan Hackett (13)
7:52 GFR Ben Diamond (28) ASST: Mathis Huot (26), Cole MacWilliam (5)
10:05 CAM Daniel Khatib (6) ASST: Justin David (41)
11:59 GFR Dominic LeBlanc (27) ASST: Yannic Bastarache (41)
18:07 CAM Justin David (26) ASST: Daniel Khatib (7)
2nd
1:39 CAM Connor Richard (26) ASST: Riley Dubois (17)
7:39 GFR Josh Russell (10) ASST: Kobe Burt (4), Adam Redding (5) (PP)
3rd
5:17 CAM Ethan Clements (2) ASST: Luke Thorne (5)
7:25 CAM Ethan Clements (3) ASST: Ryan Hackett (14)
8:52 CAM Kyle MacIntyre (6) ASST: Eli Reimer (23), Jake Kyle (41)
9:30 CAM Connor Richard (27) ASST: Eli Reimer (24), Kyle MacIntyre (6)
13:45 CAM Dawson Stairs (31) ASST: Eli Reimer (25), Jake Kyle (42)
14:21 GFR Ben Diamond (29) ASST: Mathis Huot (27), Yannic Bastarache (42) (PP)