GRAND FALLS – The West Kent Steamers broke a 2-2 tie in the second period, scoring two unanswered goals in a 5-3 victory over the Rapids Sunday afternoon at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
It was the Steamers’ second victory this season against Grand Falls whose record now falls to 3-8-1 on the season.
Mathis Tarani scored twice for West Kent, his first two goals of the regular season. Jacob Pelletier, Patrick Baxter and Jeremy D’Astous replied for the Rapids who were outshot 27 to 24.
Tarani opened the scoring at 6:45 of the firstperiod following a turnover at the Rapids’ end.
Grand Falls tied the score at 9:29 on a pass from Derek Bird to Jacob Pelletier in front of the net. It was Pelletier’s 2nd of the season.
Greg Leland’s squad did take a 2-1 lead at 12:58 when Jeremy D’Astous fed a pass to Patrick Baxter who came in with speed in front of netminder Olivier Dallaire, scoring also his 2nd goal of the campaign.
Less than three minutes later however, the Steamers would tie the score 2-2 on Mathis Tarani’s second tally of the contest.
West Kent dominated the first half of the second period, scoring two early goals to take the lead.
Following a faceoff win in Rapids’ territory, Mathis Tarani sent a shot from the point that was tipped in by Zachary Boudreau. The goal came at 3:56 with the man advantage. The Steamers would add another tally at 4:29 on a wrister from Olivier Leblanc.
The Rapids had to wait until the 9th minute of play of the frame before registering their first shot on goal. West Kent held a 4-2 lead after two periods of play.
Two late goals were scored during the third period that saw only 7 shots each side being directed to the net.
Jeremy D’Astous, left alone in front of the net,scored his 3rd of the season at 19:10 just as the Rapids pulled their goaltender.
But with only 12 seconds remaining, Dylan Andrews scored into an empty net to seal the victory for West Kent.
The Rapids were without defenseman Raphael Denis, injured. Ty Hunter was also missing once again from the lineup. Adam Lecours made the start between the pipes for Grand Falls.
Jeremy D’Astous (1g 1a) and Jonah Leard (2a) led the way offensively for the Rapids who return to home ice next weekend to face Miramichi on Friday and Edmundston on Sunday afternoon.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Mathis Tarani (WKS); 2- Damon Englehutt (WKS); 3- Ethan Kane (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
|
1st |
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|
6:45 |
WKS |
Mathis Tarani (1) ASST: Damon Englehutt (11), Samuel Massé (7) |
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9:29 |
GFR |
Jacob Pelletier (2) ASST: Derek Bird (5), Nathan Rhodes (3) |
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|
12:58 |
GFR |
Patrick Baxter (2) ASST: Jonah Leard (4), Jeremy D’Astous (12) |
|
|
15:38 |
WKS |
Mathis Tarani (2) ASST: Damon Englehutt (12) |
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|
2nd |
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|
|
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3:56 |
WKS |
Zachary Boudreau (5) ASST: Mathis Tarani (6), Pierre-Marc Minville (1) (PP) |
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4:29 |
WKS |
Olivier Leblanc (3) ASST: Brandon Clarke (3) |
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3rd |
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19:10 |
GFR |
Jeremy D’Astous (3) ASST: Matthew Ferdinand (2), Jonah Leard (5) |
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19:48 |
WKS |
Dylan Andrews (7) ASST: Pierre-Marc Minville (2) (EN) |