BERWICK (NS) – The Valley Wildcats scored two power play goals, including the game winner in the opening period, as they skated away with a 4-1 victory Friday night on home ice against the Grand Falls Rapids.
Jake Beardsmore scored twice for Valley. Nathan Rhodes was the lone goal scorer for the Rapids who put an end to a two-game winning streak. Their record now stands at 2 wins and 5 losses on the season.
Discipline was a key issue for the Rapids throughout the game as they were penalized for 48 minutes in total, sending their opponents on 9 power play opportunities.
Valley opened the scoring early in the contest on a goal by Aiden Bent at 1:37 following a two-on-one break.
Cael MacDonald would add to the scoring for the Wildcats at 12:01, scoring on a rebound that came in front of the net.
The Rapids cut the Wildcats’ lead to 2-1 at 6:09 of the second period. With only 3 seconds remaining on the power play, Nicholas Brennan fed a great pass to the side of the net to Nathan Rhodes who scored his first of the season. Brayden Campbell also picked up an assist.
The Wildcats would however regain a two-goal lead at 14:23 on Jake Beardsmore’s first tally of the night following a shot that went under the glove of Rapids’ goalkeeper Loic Nadeau.
Only one goal was scored in the third period, which came at 16:19. Jake Beardsmore scored his second of the night on a backand shot that found the top corner of the net.
The Rapids had some good scoring opportunities at times, but Wildcats’ netminder Will Cole would deny them on every shot except one.
The Rapids return to action on Saturday night as they travel to Yarmouth for a matchup with the Mariners at 7pm.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Jake Beardsmore (VAL); 2- Aidan Bent (VAL); 3- Brady Burke (VAL)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
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1st |
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1:37 |
VAL |
Aidan Bent (3) ASST: Brady Burke (2), Cam Walsh (1) |
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12:01 |
VAL |
Cael MacDonald (3) ASST: Brady Burke (3), Ben Nicholson (1) (PP) |
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2nd |
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6:09 |
GFR |
Nathan Rhodes (1) ASST: Nicholas Brennan (3), Brayden Campbell (2) (PP) |
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14:23 |
VAL |
Jake Beardsmore (3) ASST: Ryan Fletcher (4) |
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3rd |
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16:19 |
VAL |
Jake Beardsmore (4) ASST: Brady Burke (4), Ryan Fletcher (5) (PP) |
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