GRAND FALLS – The Fredericton Red Wings sent a total of 49 shots on goal on Sunday afternoon, earning them a 4-1 victory against the Rapids at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
Grand Falls sent only 22 shots on the opposing net, getting their lone goal from the stick of Tate Brenner who scored for the third time in two games over the weekend.
Goaltender Adam Lecours was the main reason why the Rapids were able to stay close to their opponents until late in the final frame. Lecours made 45 saves, many of them coming from up close.
Zachary Bridgeo was the winning netminder, pushing his record to 10 wins and only 2 losses on the season.
The Red Wings got on the board early in the first period on Cam Thomson’s 18th of the season. Thomson took possession of the rebound in front of the net as Adam Lecours made the initial save.
Fredericton had an 18-6 advantage in shots on goal through twenty minutes of play.
The visitors scored another early period goal in the middle frame, this time coming on the power play. Jake Tracey took control of a rebound in the slot, sending a slap shot that found the back of the net at 4:28.
The Rapids thought they had reduced the margin late in the period, but the goal was called back due to a high stick on the deflection in front of the Red Wings’ net.
Goals came in quick succession in the third period as three were scored in a span of under 3 minutes.
Landon Paul gave the visitors a 3-0 lead at 11:13, followed by Tate Brenner’s 9th of the season at 13:36. Brenner’s shot came following a giveaway by the Red Wings at their own blue line. Zacharie Charest and Alexandre Michaud both got assists on the goal.
Then just seconds later (14:08), Alex Roode scored while on a breakaway, giving the Red Wings a three-goal lead, which was enough to earn them a 14th victory this season.
Note that defenseman Raphaël Denis was not in the lineup for the Rapids on Sunday, but coming back to action was Marco Leblanc.
The Rapids will now pause for the Christmas break and return to action on Saturday December 30th when they host the West Kent Steamers.
GAME NOTES:
*Three Red Wings’ players finished the game with identical records of 1g 1a: Landon Paul, Cam Thomson and Alex Roode.
*The Rapids went scoreless on 6 power play opportunities. Fredericton scored once on 2 PP tries.
*Game attendance: 883
*Three stars of the game: 1- Jake Tracey (FRW); 2- Adam Lecours (GFR); 3- Zachary Bridgeo (FRW)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
3:37 FRW Cam Thomson (18) ASST: Slava Melikov (28), Manix Sarrasin (22)
2nd
4:28 FRW Jake Tracey (4) ASST: Alex Roode (18), Cam Thomson (21) (PP)
3rd
11:13 FRW Landon Paul (14) ASST: Noah Befekadu (6)
13:36 GFR Tate Brenner (9) ASST: Zacharie Charest (5), Alexandre Michaud (1)
14:08 FRW Alex Roode (16) ASST: Xzander Pierce (6), Landon Paul (9)