GRAND FALLS – Timely goals, blocked shots and some solid goaltending… those are the key elements that guided the Grand Falls Rapids to a surprising 4-2 victory Friday night against their Northwestern rivals, the Edmundston Blizzard.
Surprising is the term to use considering that the Rapids (6th place in the Eastlink North) had the best against the first-place team in the division. However, it’s no surprise the way the Rapids conducted themselves on the ice on Friday as they continued their winning ways, earning a third consecutive victory and a 4th in their last 5 games.
It was a game forward Ty Hunter will remember, scoring three goals to bring his season total to 8g. Hunter completed his hat trick in the third period, scoring the insurance goal with less than 5 minutes remaining.
It was also another solid performance between the pipes by Adam Lecours who blocked 42 shots. And what a game for Marcellus Francis who was all over the ice, scoring the game winning goal following a nifty move in front of the Blizzard defense before beating the netminder on a backhand shot. Francis’ goal came at 12:36 of the final frame, which broke a 2-2 tie.
Edmundston took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a late goal from Philippe Collette at 19:15.
It was the only scoring in the opening frame which had the Blizzard leading 16-13 in shots on goal.
The Rapids tied the score at 9:17 of the second period on Ty Hunter’s first of the night, a power play tally resulting from a rebound in front of the net.
Grand Falls took a 2-1 lead at 19:43 following a blocked shot at centre ice. Coming off the wing, Ty Hunter sent a shot to the far side of the post, beating goaltender Samuel LeBlanc.
The Blizzard would tie the score at the mid-way point of the third period. As he fell down close to the side of the net, Félix Bédard sent a high shot that got by Lecours.
But at 12:36, Marcellus Francis’ 7th goal of the season gave the Rapids a 3-2 lead.
Then Ty Hunter would complete his hat trick after following the play, putting in a rebound on the initial shot by Jérémy Boulanger.
Edmundston led the game 44 to 28 in shots on goal.
For the Rapids, it was their 13th victory of the season as they are now 3 points back of the Campbellton Tigers for 5th spot in the Eastlink North division. Both teams square off on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in Campbellton.
GAME NOTES:
*Ty Hunter (3g), Marcellus Francis (1g 1a) and Nicholas Brennan (2a) all led the way offensively for the Rapids.
Félix Bédard (1g 1a) was the leading scorer for Edmundston.
*Edmundston went 0 for 3 on the power play… the Rapids scored 1 PP goal on 5 opportunities with the man advantage.
*Game attendance: 953
*Three stars of the game: 1- Ty Hunter (GFR); 2- Marcellus Francis (GFR); 3- Adam Lecours (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
19:15 EDM Philippe Collette (26) ASST: Félix Bédard (47)
2nd
9:17 GFR Ty Hunter (6) ASST: Nicholas Brennan (13), Marcellus Francis (5) (PP)
19:43 GFR Ty Hunter (7) ASST: Tristan Sanchez (2)
3rd
10:02 EDM Félix Bédard (35) ASST: None
12:36 GFR Marcellus Francis (7) ASST: Cole MacWilliam (4), Tyrell Mulrooney (1)
15:32 GFR Ty Hunter (8) ASST: Jeremy Boulanger (30), Nicholas Brennan (14)