SUMMERSIDE – The Grand Falls Rapids proved it does not matter where teams are in the standings once they step on the ice in the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League).
The Rapids, who are last in the six-team Eastlink North Division, pulled out a 5-4 victory over the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals to improve to 7-16-4 (won-lost-overtime losses). The division-leading Caps, who visit the Edmundston Blizzard (15-9-3) on Saturday night and were ranked fifth in this week's Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings, dropped to 19-5-0.
Click here for story on this weekend's two games:
Before 938 fans in Grand Falls, N.B., Chris Melendez’s even-strength goal at 17:34 of the third period broke a 4-4 tie. Jean-Simon Belanger had one goal and three assists to lead Grand Falls offensively while Matthew MacKay, Matthew MacNeil and Alex Morawski also scored. Ronan Rheaume (2), Kyle Anderson (2) and Mark Richard chipped in with assists.
Click here for story on this week's Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings:
Sullivan Sparkes led the Caps with a goal and an assist. Single goals came off the sticks of Kallum Muirhead, Josh MacDonald and TJ Shea. Marc Richard, Sam Meisenheimer, Brodie MacArthur and Jesse Annear collected helpers.
The Rapids, who never trailed in the game, held period leads of 2-1 and 4-3. Grand Rapids held a pair of two-goal advantages – 3-1 and 4-2.
Overall, the Rapids outshot the Caps 45-35, including 16-7 and 20-15 advantages in the final 40 minutes. Andrew Rose earned the goaltending win over Daniel Thompson.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Jean-Simon Belanger (Rapids), 2. Sullivan Sparkes (Caps), 3. Antoni Matte (Rapids).
The Caps’ next home game is against the Valley Wildcats (5-19-3) on New Year’s Eve at 5 p.m.
