GRAND FALLS – The Rapids ended their 2024 calendar on a positive note on Friday night, defeating the Amherst Ramblers by a score of 5-1 at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
Jérémy D’astous, who missed the last game due to an injury, came back in strong fashion on Friday as he scored three times, his 12th, 13th and 14th goals of the season. He also added an assist for a 4-point night. In two games played this season against Amherst, D’Astous has a record of 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points.
Jonah Leard also contributed offensively with 3 assists. Nicholas Brennan and Caleb MacDonald completed the scoring for Grand Falls, each into an empty net late in the third period.
Adam Lecours was solid between the pipes, earning second star honors and making a total of 43 saves as Amherst led the game in the shots on goal department, 44 to 31.
The Rapids sweep the two–game series this season against the Ramblers. Grand Falls won9-5 on November 23rd in Amherst.
Jérémy D’Astous opened the scoring for the Rapids at 5:20 of the opening period after receiving a cross-ice pass from linemate Jonah Leard.
The Ramblers tied the score at 15:14 on a goal from Liam Travis.
However, the Rapids regained the lead at 18:13 on D’Astous’ second tally of the game. It came on the power play on a screen shot.
Grand Falls had the advantage 17 to 12 in shots on goal after twenty minutes of play, and the lead (2-1).
D’Astous completed his hat trick at 15:28 of the second period after he was able to tip a pass in front of the net, coming from the stick of defenseman Raphael Denis.
Both goalies were solid in the middle frame, especially Adam Lecours who made 15 saves.
Despite outshooting Grand Falls 17 to 9 in the third period, the Ramblers were not able to solve Lecours. The Rapids scored twice while the Amherst goaltender was pulled for an extra man. Nicholas Brennan, his 9th of the season, and Caleb MacDonald (his 12th) completed the scoring.
Raphael Denis also had a strong game offensively with 2 assists.
The Rapids will play their next game on January 3rd as they host the Fredericton Red Wings for a 7pm start at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Jérémy D’Astous (GFR); 2- Adam Lecours (GFR); 3- Jonah Leard (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
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1st |
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|
|
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5:20 |
GFR |
Jérémy D’Astous (12) ASST: Jonah Leard (21) |
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15:14 |
AMH |
Liam Travis (3) ASST: Jack O’Blenis (9) |
|
|
18:13 |
GFR |
Jérémy D’Astous (13) ASST: Raphael Denis (23), Jonah Leard (22) (PP) |
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|
2nd |
|
|
|
|
15:28 |
GFR |
Jérémy D’Astous (14) ASST: Raphael Denis (24), Jonah Leard (23) |
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|
3rd |
|
|
|
|
16:12 |
GFR |
Nicholas Brennan (9) ASST: Brayden Campbell (11) (EN) |
|
|
16:50 |
GFR |
Caleb MacDonald (12) ASST: Jérémy D’Astous (33) (EN) |