STEAMERS DEFEAT RAPIDS 4-1
BOUCTOUCHE – The West Kent Steamers took a 2-0 lead into the third period on Saturday night, defeating the Grand Falls Rapids by a final score of 4-1 in a game played at the J.K. Irving Centre in Bouctouche.
It was the Steamers third consecutive win against the Rapids after losing the first matchup earlier in the season.
Steamers’ netminder Xavier Farrah was solid, stopping 37 of the 38 shots he faced.
Despite the loss, the Rapids remain in first spot in the Eastlink North division standings, 2 points ahead of the Chaleur Lightning.
Natan Grenier gave West Kent a 1-0 lead in the opening frame on a shot that beat goaltender Adam Lecours in the top corner of the net.
Victor Lailiberté made it 2-0 in the second period after receiving a pass in front of the net from linemate Olivier Leblanc.
The Rapids had many chances to score in the middle frame, dominating 13 to 5 in shots on goal. They were, however, denied by goaltender Xavier Farrah from getting on the scoreboard.
The Rapids were able to reduce the margin on a power play goal at 11:57 of the third period. Loic Francoeur, with his 9th of the season, took a rebound in front of the net to bring the score to 2-1.
But West Kent replied with a power play tally at 16:28, restoring their two-goal cushion. Pierre-Marc Minville was recipient of the goal on a slap shot from the point. Then Zachary Boudreau completed the scoring for the Steamers in an empty net at 18:56.
Shots on goal were 38 to 24 in favor of the Rapids who will play their next three games on the road starting Thursday night in Amherst against the Ramblers.
EXTRA NOTES:
*The Rapids record now stands at 13-7-2 for 28 points.
Following Saturday night’s game, Grand Falls was tied for most goals scored in the league with Summerside (93). The Rapids are also ranked first in their division in power play efficiency (21.8%) and third in their division in penalty kill (81.4%).
*Loic Francoeur and Jonah Leard share the team lead in scoring with identical records of 9g 17a for 26pts. Zackarie Michaud is third with 10g 15a for 25pts. Take note that Francoeur leads the team in power play goals with 4.
*Goaltender Adam Lecours is third in the league in goals against average with 2.97. He is tied for first in wins with 10.
*Three stars of Saturday night’s game:
1- Xavier Farrah (WKS); 2- Pierre-Marc Minville (WKS); 3- Dawson Grandy (WKS)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
| 1st | |||
| 7:18 | WKS | Natan Grenier (9) ASST: Nathan Weber (4), Dawson Grandy (2) | |
| 2nd | |||
| 1:12 | WKS | Victor Laliberté (6) ASST: Olivier Leblanc (5), Spencer Caines (11) | |
| 3rd | |||
| 11:57 | GFR | Loic Francoeur (9) ASST: Brayden Campbell (11) (PP) | |
| 16:28 | WKS | Pierre-Marc Minville (3) ASST: Noah Collette (7), Sam Bowness (5) (PP) | |
| 18:56 | WKS | Zachary Boudreau (11) ASST: None (EN) |