MIRAMICHI – Justin David scored the game–winning goal on a penalty shot during the five-minute overtime period, sending the Miramichi Timberwolves to a 3-2 victory Saturday night on home ice against the Rapids.
David’s low wrist shot found the back of the net with only 54 seconds remaining in overtime.
It was the Timberwolves’ 25th victory of the season while the Rapids were defeated for a 10th consecutive time. Grand Falls does however pick up a point in the standings, bringing their season total to 26 pts.
After a scoreless first period, both teams opened things up in the middle frame by scoring two goals each.
The Rapids were first to get on the board at the two-minute mark of the period when the puck came off the back boards to the stick of Patrick Baxter who scored his 7th of the season.Then at 4:07, Brayden Campbell’s backhand shot made it 2-0 for Grand Falls. It was Campbell’s 9th tally of the season.
The Timberwolves responded with two goalsbefore the end of the period to tie the score 2-2.
Jacob Lafontaine reduced the margin to 2-1 at 9:35, then Grady Burns scored his first of the season at 16:04 on a wrister from the faceoff circle.
No goals were scored in the third period despite the Timberwolves having a 15 to 4 edge in shots on goal.
Rapids’ netminder Loic Nadeau was solid between the pipes, blocking 37 shots as Miramichi led the contest 40 to 29 in shots on goal. Goaltender Mathis Lafontaine picked up the win for the home team.
Miramichi went 0 for 4 on the power play while Grand Falls was scoreless on only one PP opportunity.
Justin David was the only player on both sides to pick up two points in the game with a 1g 1a performance.
The Rapids will play their next game at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre on Wednesday night asthey host the Fredericton Red Wings at 7:15pm.
3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Justin David (MIR); 2- Loic Nadeau (GFR); 3- Grady Burns (MIR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st |
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No Scoring |
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2nd |
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2:06 |
GFR |
Patrick Baxter (7) ASST: Cole MacWilliam (5), Jonah Leard (31) |
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4:07 |
GFR |
Brayden Campbell (9) ASST: Derek Bird (8) |
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9:35 |
MIR |
Jacob Lafontaine (27) ASST: Justin David (42) |
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16:04 |
MIR |
Grady Burns (1) ASST: Lorenzo Tita (8) |
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3rd |
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No Scoring |
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1st OT |
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4:06 |
MIR |
Justin David (21) – penalty shot |