CAMPBELLTON – Two goals in a span of 10 seconds by the Campbellton Tigers was the difference maker in a high scoring affair Sunday afternoon at the Memorial Civic Centre. The Rapids came up on the short end, dropping a 6-5 decision as they now trail the Tigers by 8 points for 5th spot in the Eastlink North division standings. It was also a 5th consecutive loss for Grand Falls.
With the score tied 4-4 in the third period, the Tigers took the lead with two quick goals. Van Sawlor saw his shot from the blue line find a path to the back of the net at 8:03, giving Campbellton a one-goal advantage. Then only 10 seconds later, Alex Crane scored on an odd-man rush, giving the Tigers a 6-4 lead.
Defenseman Raphael Denis reduced the margin at 6-5 as he took advantage of a give-away, scoring his 3rd of the season. But it was too late for the Rapids who were unable to tie the score with an extra attacker in the waning moments of the game.
Goals came in bunches in the first and second periods. Campbellton took a 1-0 lead with only 24 seconds played after the first puck drop on a goal from Mathis Guevin.
The Rapids tied the score at 5:37 on a power play. Tyrell Mulrooney scored his first as a Rapid as he took control of a rebound in front of the net.
Campbellton regained the lead at 12:24 on Izach Poirier’s tally, scored on a wrist shot from the slot.
The Rapids came out strong in the second period, scoring twice to gain the lead. Ethan Johnson’s backhand shot from the blue line hit a defender in front before finding the back of the net. It was Johnson’s 9th of the season, tying the score 2-2.
Then at 2:39, Jonah Leard completed a passing play by sending a one-timer past goalkeeper Dekon Randell-Snow. It was a power play goal, the Rapids’ second of the game, as they took a 3-2 lead.
The Tigers answered back with two goals. Mathis Guevin made it 3-3 at 6:10. Referees had a discussion following the play on whether the puck was kicked into the net, but the goal was finally allowed.
Jean-Alexandre Tétreault also scored at 16:48 for the Tigers who took a 4-3 lead.
However, Jérémy Boulanger took control of a loose puck to score his 12th of the season, tying the score 4-4 at 16:58.
Campbellton sent 37 shots on goal in the contest in comparison to 36 for Grand Falls.
The Rapids will return to action on Wednesday night on home ice as they host the Edmundston Blizzard at 7:00 pm. They will then travel to Nova Scotia for the weekend.
GAME NOTES:
*Mathis Guevin (2g) and Benjamin Dejonge (3a) led the way offensively for Campbellton.
Ty Hunter assisted on 3 Rapids’ goals while Jérémy Boulanger and Ethan Johnson both finished the game with 1g 1a.
*Both teams scored twice on the power play.
*Game attendance: 534
*Three stars of the game: 1- Mathis Guevin (CAM); 2- William Schofield (CAM); 3- Ty Hunter (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
0:24 CAM Mathis Guevin (8) ASST: Tysin Mulligan (6), Tyler Pazin (15)
5:37 GFR Tyrell Mulrooney (1) ASST: Ty Hunter (8), Colin Parker (8) (PP)
12:24 CAM Izach Poirier (4) ASST: William Schofield (25), Benjamin deJonge (11) (PP)
2nd
1:10 GFR Ethan Johnson (9) ASST: Damian Metastasio (6)
2:39 GFR Jonah Leard (9) ASST: Ethan Johnson (21), Jeremy Boulanger (27) (PP)
6:10 CAM Mathis Guevin (9) ASST: Tyler Pazin (16) (PP)
16:48 CAM Jean-Alexandre Tétreault (5) ASST: William Schofield (26), Riley Dubois (9)
16:58 GFR Jeremy Boulanger (12) ASST: Ty Hunter (9), Nicholas Brennan (10)
3rd
8:03 CAM Van Sawlor (4) ASST: Benjamin deJonge (12)
8:10 CAM Alex Crane (3) ASST: Benjamin deJonge (13)
13:35 GFR Raphael Denis (3) ASST: Damian Metastasio (7), Ty Hunter (10)