RAPIDS WIN IN DOUBLE OVERTIME!
GRAND FALLS – Bailey Shortall’s second goal of the game, scored at 9:17 of the second overtime period, sent the Rapids to a 5-4 victory Wednesday night in Grand Falls over the Chaleur Lightning.
Chaleur now leads the best-of-seven MetalFab MHL quarter final series two games to one.
On the winning tally, defenseman Anton Topilnyckyj broke a play at center ice, creating a two-on-one rush in Chaleur territory. Coen Miller sent a pass in front to Shortall who beat netminder Jack Flanagan.
It was the Rapids’ first playoff win since their arrival in Grand Falls eight seasons ago. The series now shifts to Bathurst on Friday night for game four.
The Rapids never trailed in this contest, but they saw their opponents come from behind to tie the score on three occasions.
Jonah Leard, on a breakaway, and Anton Topilnyckyj gave Grand Falls a 2-0 lead in the opening period. Ben Cross of Chaleur cut the lead in half, scoring with less than five minutes remaining in the frame.
The Lightning tied the score 2-2 at 6:18 of the second period on a shorthanded goal from Owen Arnold.
Four goals were scored in the third period. Jonah Leard gave the Rapids a 3-2 lead with his second tally of the game on a wrist shot that found the top corner of the net at 7:29. David Lebel tied the score for the visitors at 10:15. The Rapids regained the lead at 14:42 when Bailey Shortall took control of a loose puck that had bounced off the end boards. However, with 2:02 remaining in regulation time, the Lightning tied the score 4-4 on a one-timer from Carter Bromley.
No goals were scored in the first overtime period despite some great chances at both ends.
Chaleur had the opportunity early in the second overtime to put an end to the contest when they went on a power play, but the Rapids were able to hold on.
Bailey Shortall’s winning goal came on Grand Falls’ 49th shot of the game, thus giving the Rapids some real hope of coming back into this series.
Adam Lecours was solid between the pipes, making a total of 22 saves, including 8 in both overtime periods.
Shortall led the way offensively for Grand Fals with 2 goals and 2 assists while Jonah Leard also scored twice while adding an assist to his night’s work.
The Rapids will try to even up this series on Friday night, hoping momentum will be carried on the road.
ADITIONNAL NOTES
*Coen Miller and Mathis Cyr both earned 2 assists for the Rapids. Jack Hayne led the way for Chaleur with 2 assists.
*For the first time in this series, no goals were scored on the power play. Chaleur went 0 for 5 while Grand Falls was 0 for 4.
*Final shots on goal: Rapids 49; Lightning 26
*Three stars of the game: 1- Jonah Leard (GFR); 2- Bailey Shortall (GFR); 3- Jack Flanagan (CHA)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
| 1st | |||
| 4:18 | GFR | Jonah Leard (4) ASST: Bailey Shortall (1), Mathis Cyr (1) | |
| 12:26 | GFR | Anton Topilnyckyj (1) ASST: Loic Francoeur (2), Mathis Cyr (2) | |
| 16:37 | CHA | Ben Cross (2) ASST: Jack Hayne (3), Jack Flanagan (1) | |
| 2nd | |||
| 6:18 | CHA | Owen Arnold (2) ASST: Will Clark (1) (SH) | |
| 3rd | |||
| 7:29 | GFR | Jonah Leard (5) ASST: Bailey Shortall (2), Coen Miller (3) | |
| 10:15 | CHA | David Lebel (1) ASST: Tyson Snow (1), Mason Cook (1) | |
| 14:42 | GFR | Bailey Shortall (2) ASST: Conor Ryan (1), Isaac Allard (1) | |
| 17:58 | CHA | Carter Bromley (2) ASST: Cohen McCallum (5), Jack Hayne (4) | |
| 1st OT | |||
| No Scoring | |||
| 2nd OT | |||
| 9:17 | GFR | Bailey Shortall (3) ASST: Jonah Leard (3), Coen Miller (4) | |