GRAND FALLS – Samuel Massé scored twice, and the West Kent Steamers surrendered only 14 shots on goal to the Rapids as they cruised to a 4-2 victory Saturday night at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
It was a 7th victory in a row for the Eastlink North division leaders while the Rapids were defeated for an 18th time this season.
The Rapids were playing without forward Nicholas Brennan and defenseman Raphaël Denis, both on the injured list. For the occasion, two affiliate players suited up for the game: Luc Morais who joined the defensive unit and Brody Paré who completed the top offensive line with Jérémy Boulanger and Zacharie Charest.
Three goals were scored in the opening period. Samuel Massé got his first of the night after receiving a cross-ice pass in front of the net, a goal that came at 9:21.
The Rapids were quick to respond, coming on a two-on-one break at 11:41. Jérémy Boulanger didn’t miss the occasion to score his 8th of the season, sending a shot that got by Steamers’ netminder Olivier Dallaire.
However, West Kent regained the lead at 15:22 on Massé’s second goal of the contest on a pass from Alexis Daniel from the side of the net.
The Steamers dominated the second period in puck possession while giving only 2 shots on goal to Grand Falls.
Olivier Beaudoin made it 3-1 for the visitors at 11:46 as a result of a bouncing puck in front of the Rapids’ crease. It was Beaudoin’s 10th goal of the season.
The Rapids battled hard in the third period, even though they could only manage 5 shots on Olivier Dallaire. Jérémy Boulanger reduced the margin to 3-2 by scoring his second goal of the night and his 9th of the campaign after his attempted pass hit a defender in front the net.
The Steamers were able to hold off their opponents, scoring the insurance goal in an empty net with under one minute remaining to bring the final score to 4-2. Damon Englehutt was credited with the final goal of the game.
The final tally in shots on goal was 29 to 14 in favour of West Kent. Once again, Adam Lecours stood tall between the pipes for the Rapids, keeping his team in the game with some key saves, especially at the start of the third period when the Steamers went on two consecutive power plays.
The Rapids will be back in action Sunday afternoon as they travel to Nova Scotia to meet the Amherst Ramblers. Puck drop is at 2pm.
GAME NOTES:
*Three players from the Steamers finished the game with 1g and 1a: Samuel Massé (2g), Olivier Beaudoin (1g 1a) and Alexis Daniel (2a).
Jérémy Boulanger led the way offensively for the Rapids with 2g.
*The Rapids did not get the opportunity to play with the man advantage. West kent went scorelewss on 2 PP opportunities.
*Game attendance: 863
*Three stars of the game: 1- Olivier Beaudoin (WKS); 2- Samuel Massé (WKS); 3- Jérémy Boulanger (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
9:21 WKS Samuel Massé (11) ASST: Alexis Daniel (18), Olivier Beaudoin (22)
11:41 GFR Jeremy Boulanger (8) ASST: Zacharie Charest (6), Luc Ruff (5)
15:22 WKS Samuel Massé (12) ASST: Alexis Daniel (19), Xavier Roy (26)
2nd
11:46 WKS Olivier Beaudoin (10) ASST: Jake MacDonald (3)
3rd
14:08 GFR Jeremy Boulanger (9) ASST: Mika Audibert (2)
19:11 WKS Damon Englehutt (13) ASST: Beren Simard (13), Bailey Shortall (9) (EN)