TIMBERWOLVES DEFEAT RAPIDS 5-2

GRAND FALLS – For the second time in three games this season, the Miramichi Timberwolves came up victorious against the Grand Falls Rapids, this time by a score of 5-2 Sunday afternoon at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
The Rapids winning streak is snapped at 4 games and it was also their first loss on home ice this season in 9 games.

It was a physical tilt which ended with 100 penalty minutes in total, including 70 minutes in the second period alone.
Alexis Doucet led the way offensively for Miramichi with a hat trick.

The Timberwolves were determined to turn things around after a shutout loss the previous night to the Edmundston Blizzard. Not only were they able to limit the division-leading Rapids to only two goals, but they came from behind after falling behind by two goals in the first period.

Brayden Campbell was first to score for the Rapids on a power play at 9:26 of the opening frame. Campbell tipped in a pass from Jonah Leard in front of the net for his 3rd goal of the season.
Then Patrick Baxter added Grand Falls’ second goal at 10:11, scoring on a backhand and beating Timberwolves’ netminder Jack Flanagan. It was Baxter’s 4th tally of the season as Zackarie Michaud earned the assist.
Only 33 seconds later, Alexis Doucet scored his first of the game on a scramble in front of Rapids’ goalkeeper Jeremy Thibodeau-Soucy.
The Rapids led 2-1 after twenty minutes of play.

The Timberwolves were able to tie the score at 12:04 of the middle frame. Harlan Eustace, following a faceoff win in Grand Falls territory, brought the score even at 2-2. Alexis Doucet, from the slot, scored the go-ahead goal for the visitors with only 39 seconds remaining in the period.
Miramichi added two more goals in the third period. Charles-Olivier Giguère scored at 15:05 and Alexis Doucet completed his hat trick in an empty net at 18:51.

The Rapids held a slight advantage in the shots on goal department, 33 to 30.
A total of 916 spectators were on hand for the contest. The three stars of the game were in order: 1- Alexis Doucet (MIR); 2- Loic Francoeur (GFR); 3- Jack Flanagan (MIR).

WEEKEND ANALYSIS:

Despite Sunday afternoon’s loss on home ice, a first this season, the Rapids remain in top spot in the Eastlink North division standings with a record of 10-4-1 for 21 points. It is 1-point better than the Chaleur Ligthning who lost on two occasions over the weekend. Both teams will clash next Sunday afternoon at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
The Rapids will also play Friday night on home ice as they host the West Kent Steamers.

A FEW STATS:

*The Rapids record this season against teams from the Eastlink North division is 6 wins, 4 losses and 1 overtime defeat for 13 points.

*The Rapids are ranked first in their division in power play efficiency (27.1%) and second in the league in penalty kill (85.2%).
Grand Falls is second in the MHL in goals scored (64) and have allowed only 45 goals; only Edmundston and Miramichi have allowed the fewest goals this season (42 each).

*Three players lead the Rapids with 17 points: Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (9 goals and 8 assists), followed by Zackarie Mihcaud and Jonah Leard with identical records of 6 goals and 11 assists.

*Adam Lecours ranks second in the league in goals-against average (2.69). Lecours has the 5th best save percentage of the league at 0.917.

Patrick Thibault

Scoring
1st
9:26 GFR Brayden Campbell (3) ASST: Jonah Leard (12) (PP)

10:11 GFR Patrick Baxter (4) ASST: Zackarie Michaud (12)

10:44 MIR Alexis Doucet (7) ASST: Jacob Kaine (9)

2nd
12:04 MIR Harlan Eustace (4) ASST: Eliott Robert (9)

19:21 MIR Alexis Doucet (8) ASST: Dawson Peverelle (4)

3rd
15:05 MIR Charles-Olivier Giguère (2) ASST: None

18:51 MIR Alexis Doucet (9) ASST: None