CAMPBELLTON – Tyler Pazin scored his 20th and 21st goals of the season on Sunday afternoon, lifting the Campbellton Tigers to a 3-1 victory on home ice against the Grand Falls Rapids.
With only 2 points separating both teams from 5th spot in the Eastlink North standings before the start of the game, the opportunity was there for Grand Falls to finish the weekend on a high note following a home victory on Friday night. However, the Tigers came out strong out of the gate, scoring twice in the opening period while adding another goal in the middle frame to take a three-goal lead through forty minutes of play.
The Rapids’ record now stands at 9 wins, 22 losses and 3 shootout defeats for a total of 21 points. They are now 4pts back of Campbellton as the Tigers have two games in hand.
It was Tysin Mulligan who opened the scoring for the Tigers in the first period on a shot that found the top corner of the net at 2:27.
Then at 17:32, Tyler Pazin’s wrister from the slot beat Rapids’ netminder Adam Lecours to give Campbellton a two-goal advantage.
Shots on goal after the first period of play were 19 to 6 for the Tigers who dominated the period in puck possession.
Pazin would add his second goal of the game at 14:19 of the second period as he took a pass from Mathis Guevin behind the net. Pazin’s one-timer gave no chance to Lecours who faced an additonial 12 shots in the middle frame.
The Rapids had an opportunity to reduce the margin late in the period as they went on their first power play of the game, but they remained scoreless through two periods of play.
As it was the case lately, Greg Leland’s squad never quit and played a great third period as the Rapids outshot their opponents 15 to 10.
Both netminders made some key saves to keep the game tight. Grand Falls scored at the mid-way point of the period following a deflection in front of the net by Tristan Sanchez which came on a shot from the blue line by Raphael Denis who has been solid since his return from an injury. It was goal number 8 for Sanchez this season.
The Tigers maintained their lead however until the end, earning their 12th victory of the season.
The final tally in shots on goal was 41 to 28 in favor of Campbellton. Once again, Adam Lecours was the main reason why the Rapids were able to keep the game close.
The Rapids will play their next game on Friday night as they host the Edmundston Blizzard. Game time is at 7 pm at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
GAME NOTES:
*Tyler Pazin took part in all three goals for the Tigers with a 2g 1a performance. Mathis Guevin also contributed offensively with 2a.
*Game attendance: 560
*Three stars of the game: 1- Tyler Pazin (CAM); 2- Mathis Guevin (CAM); 3- Adam Lecours (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
2:27 CAM Tysin Mulligan (1) ASST: Tyler Pazin (12), Mathis Guevin (13)
17:32 CAM Tyler Pazin (20) ASST: None
2nd
14:19 CAM Tyler Pazin (21) ASST: Mathis Guevin (14), Jett McCullum (0)
3rd
10:12 GFR Tristan Sanchez (8) ASST: Raphael Denis (11)