STEAMERS DEFEAT RAPIDS 5-2

BOUCTOUCHE – Four unanswered goals by the West Kent Steamers was the key factor in a 5-2 victory over the Rapids in a contest played Sunday afternoon at the J.K. Irving Centre in Bouctouche.
It was the Rapids fourth defeat this season against West Kent.
Grand Falls remains in 4th spot in the Eastlink North division standings with a record of 21-15-6 for 48 points.

Following a scoreless first period, the Rapids took the lead at the 2-minute mark of the middle frame on Jonah Leard’s 18th tally of the season. His shot from just inside the blue line beat Steamers’ goaltender Xavier Farrah as Coen Miller and Bailey Shortal both earned an assist on the goal.
The Steamers replied with two quick goals to take a 2-1 lead before heading into the third period. Natan Grenier on a one-timer tied the game at 7:35 while Sam Bowness, unassisted, put a rebound into the back of the net at 9:57.

West Kent held a one-goal lead until the 11-minute mark of the third period. That’s when Olivier Leblanc brought the lead to 3-1 when he took possession of a rebound in front of the net. Then at 16:49, Spencer Caines added the fourth Steamers goal in an empty cage.
The Rapids scored with less than two minutes remaining (at 18:31) on a tip in front of the net by Conor Ryan. It was his 3rd goal of the season.
But West Kent scored once more in an empty net with 20 seconds left (Pierre-Marc Minville) to bring the final score to 5-2.

Minville, Spencer Caines and Natan Grenier all finished the game with 1g 1a for West Kent.
The Steamers went 0 for 7 on the power play while Grand Falls went scoreless in 2 PP opportunities.

The Rapids will once again play the Steamers next Friday night, but this time at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre. Game start is at 7pm.
ADITIONNAL NOTES

*Jérémy Thibodeau-Soucy was the Rapids’ goalkeeper, making a total of 30 saves.
*The attendance at the game: 1252 spectators.
*Three stars of the game: 1- Sam Bowness (WKS); 2- Malik Bourque Vigneault (WKS); 3- Natan Grenier (WKS)

Patrick Thibault

Scoring
1st
No Scoring
2nd
2:23 GFR Jonah Leard (18) ASST: Coen Miller (29), Bailey Shortall (10)

7:35 WKS Natan Grenier (17) ASST: Malik Bourque Vigneault (4)

9:57 WKS Sam Bowness (10) ASST: None

3rd
11:09 WKS Olivier Leblanc (10) ASST: Jean-Christophe Gemme (18), Pierre-Marc Minville (29)

16:49 WKS Spencer Caines (19) ASST: Natan Grenier (30) (EN)

18:31 GFR Conor Ryan (3) ASST: Oliver Plante (10), Loic Francoeur (29)

19:40 WKS Pierre-Marc Minville (7) ASST: Zachary Paulhus (13), Spencer Caines (29) (EN)