RAPIDS WIN THEIR THIRD CONSECUTIVE GAME

Nathan Plamondon-Michaud scored the game winning tally with only 35 seconds remaining in the overtime frame. Coming in on a three-on-two rush, Loic Francoeur fed a pass to Michaud in front of the net to send the Rapids to a perfect 3 and 0 start for the first time in their 8th season since their move to Grand Falls.

The Rapids only trailed once in the contest, and it came early after the first puck drop in the opening period. Natan Grenier gave the Steamers the early lead at 1:52 of the period.
The Rapids, who dominated the frame 17 to 3 in the shots on goal department, were able to tie the score at the 13-minute mark when Dereck Asselin tipped a shot from defenseman Anton Topilnyckyj. It was Asselin’s second goal of the season.

Jonah Leard gave Grand Falls the lead at 4:19 of the middle frame on a perfect shot in the top corner of the net, but West Kent came back to tie the score on a goal from Olivier Leblanc at 5:47.
Brody Pare, alone in the slot, beat Steamers’ netminder Xavier Farrah at 12:23 to give the Rapids a 3-2 lead. But once again, the Steamers tied the score shortly thereafter on a goal from Victor Lanoue.
Then with less than a minute remaining in the second period, Luc Marnell gave the Rapids the lead once again following a face off win in the Steamers’ zone.
After forty minutes of play, Grand Falls was ahead 4-3.

Only one goal was scored in the third period, which came from Zachary Boudreau of West Kent to tie the game 4-4.
Adam Lecours was solid between the pipes for the Rapids, notably in the third period when his team had to play shorthanded on two occasions.

It wasn’t until the last minute of play of the overtime frame that a team would come out victorious. It was Plamondon-Michaud’s 3rd goal of the season.

Playing his first game in a Rapids’ uniform, Grand Falls native Zackarie Michaud was impressive, earning 2 assists and showing great speed and puck handling skills. He was the only player for the Rapids to finish the game with 2 points.
Natan Grenier (1g 1a) was the leading scorer for West Kent.

The Rapids will try to make it four straight victories when they travel to Miramichi on Sunday. Puck drop is at 4pm.

EXTRA NOTES …

*The Rapids outshot their opponents 40 to 32.

*In his first MHL game, Zacharie Michaud played on a line with Oliver Plante and Jonah Leard. All three earned at least 1 point in the contest as Michaud was named the game’s third star.
Plamondon-Michaud was selected the first star while second star honors went to Victor Lanoue of West Kent.

*Only 5 minor penalties were assessed in the game with 3 minors going to the Rapids.

Patrick Thibault