GRAND FALLS – The West Kent Steamers scored four goals in the second period, earning a 5-2 victory against the Rapids during a Sunday afternoon matchup at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
Five different players found the back of the net for the Steamers while Ethan Johnson scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season for the Rapids. For Grand Falls, it was a 7th loss this season to West Kent in 8 games.
It was a scoreless first period as shots on goal were 10 to 7 in favour of West Kent.
Jérémy Boulanger had a couple of great scoring opportunities for the Rapids in the opening frame, but he was denied by Steamers’ netminder Xavier Fisk.
The Steamers got on the board early in the second period on a wraparound goal goal by Xavier Roy at 0:51. West Kent was dominant out of the gate, controlling play into the Rapids’ end.
They would add a second goal at 3:12 on a breakaway by Zachary Boudreau who beat Grand Falls’ goalkeeper Will Hodgson on a wrist shot.
Then at 9:11, the Steamers made it 3-0 on Owen Underhill’s 8th tally of the season on a two-on-one break.
The Rapids took advantage of a power play at 14:30 to reduce the margin to two goals. Coming up on top of the circle, Ethan Johnson sent a shot up high that beat Xavier Fisk. It was Johnson’s 14th goal of the season.
However, it took only 31 seconds for West Kent to regain a three-goal cushion. Aiden Diamond was the recipient of the Steamers’ 4th goal coming at 15:01.
The Rapids were able to defend a two-man disadvantage to keep the score at 4-1 for West-Kent through two periods of play.
Note that Alexis Daniel of the Steamers and Will Morrison of the Rapids were ejected from the game in the middle frame, both receiving major penalities for a blow to the head.
Ethan Johnson scored his 15th goal of the season early in the third period to cut the margin to two goals. Johnson took control of a loose puck and sent a wrister from the slot that found the top corner of the net.
The Steamers would hang on for the win, adding an empty net goal at 17:15 (Adam Pinksen).
The Rapids now end their February schedule with a respectable record of 5 wins and 4 losses. They now have only four games remaining on their season.
Grand Falls will play two games at home next weekend. Friday night, the Yarmouth Mariners come to town while on Sunday afternoon, the Rapids will host the Valley Wildcats.
GAME NOTES:
*Aiden Diamond and Adam Pinksen were the leading scorers for West Kent with records of 1g 1a.
Ethan Johnson, with his 2g, led the way offensively for the Rapids.
*West Kent was 0 for 6 on the power play while the Rapids scored 1 PP goal in 4 opportunties with the man advantage.
*Game attendance: 784
*Three stars of the game: 1- Aiden Diamond (WKS) 2- Xavier Fisk (WKS); Ethan Johnson (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
No Scoring
2nd
0:51 WKS Xavier Roy (7) ASST: Aiden Diamond (25), Bailey Shortall (13)
3:12 WKS Zachary Boudreau (4) ASST: Adam Pinksen (7)
9:11 WKS Owen Underhill (8) ASST: Damon Englehutt (19), Thomas Hendrickson (7)
14:30 GFR Ethan Johnson (14) ASST: Ty Hunter (13) (PP)
15:01 WKS Aiden Diamond (10) ASST: Samuel Massé (33)
3rd
2:58 GFR Ethan Johnson (15) ASST: Jonah Leard (12), Damian Metastasio (11)
17:15 WKS Adam Pinksen (7) ASST: None (EN)
Patrick Thibault