News

RAPIDS MOVE INTO FIRST PLACE IN EASTLINK NORTH

GRAND FALLS – After falling behind 2-0 against the Chaleur Lightning on Saturday night, the Rapids mounted another great comeback by scoring four unanswered goals to earn a hard-fought 5-3 victory, putting them into first place in the Eastlink North division standings at the holiday break.

Despite going 0 for 6 on the power play and allowing a shorthanded goal to their opponents, the Rapids showed once again that there is no quit to their game… they were able to tie the score 2-2 with two quick tallies in the middle frame and grabbing a 4-2 lead at the 8-minute mark of the third period.

Zackarie Michaud led the way with 2g and 1a while goaltender Adam Lecours was once again sensational between the pipes, making 26 saves including 11 in the final twenty minutes of play.
In four games played thus far this season between the two teams, the Rapids have won three times against only one defeat.

After a scoreless first period, Chaleur took a 1-0 lead in the second on a goal from Carter Bromley at 2:07. It was followed by a shorthanded goal on a two-on-one break as Jack Hayne gave the visitors a 2-0 lead at the 11th minute of play.

The Rapids and goaltender Adam Lecours did not back down, however. Grand Falls came back to tie the score with goals from Zackarie Michaud at 15:19, his first of the game, and Loic Francoeur at 17:57. Francoeur’s tying goal came after defenseman Jack Brown’s initial shot was blocked by a defender. Michaud took control of the puck to beat Lightning netminder George Foti.

Jonah Leard gave the Rapids a 3-2 lead early in the third period after the Ligthning were unable to clear their zone. Leard’s shot reached the top corner of the net to give his team its first lead of the game.

Patrick Baxter followed with his 10th goal of the season which came on an odd-man rush, giving the Rapids a 4-2 lead.

Jayden Burtt-Munn reduced the margin to one goal for Chaleur at the mid-way point of the period, but Zackarie Michaud scored his second of the game and his 15th of the season at 16:55 to secure the victory for the Rapids, their 18th of the season.

Grand Falls had a 32 to 29 edge in the shots on goal department.

The three stars of the game went in order to: 1- Zackarie Michaud (GFR), 2- Adam Lecours (GFR) and 3- Jack Hayne (CHA).

A total of 939 spectators were in attendance at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre to witness the Rapids reach first place of their division at the holiday break for the first time since their arrival in Grand Falls.

TEAM STATS 

*The Rapids’ record is now 18-12-4 for a total of 40 points, which is 1-point better than the Chaleur Lightning who now fall to second place in the Eastlink North division standings.

*The Rapids lead the league with a home record of 12-4-2 for 26 points. Their record on the road is 6-8-2 which is third best in the Eastlink North division.

*Grand Falls stands second in its division with a 20.3% power play efficiency. On the penalty kill, the team is at 80.6% (4th in the North division).

TEAM LEADERS 

*Jonah Leard leads the team in scoring with 13g and 28a for 41 points.

Coen Miller and Nathan Plamondon-Michaud share the lead in goal scoring with 18g each.

*Coen Miller leads in power play goals with 9, followed by Loic Francoeur (6). Miller is also the leader in power play points with 20.

*Jonah Leard leads the team in game winning goal with 4.

*Adam Lecours ranks 8th in the league with a 3.27 goals-against average. His save percentage (0.902) ranks 7th in the MHL.

NEXT GAME ON THE SCHEDULE

Saturday Jan. 3: Rapids at Miramichi (7pm)

Patrick Thibault

 

Scoring

1st
No Scoring
2nd
2:07 CHA Carter Bromley (14) ASST: Sam Rocca (4)
11:11 CHA Jack Hayne (13) ASST: Brett Yuzik (16) (SH)
15:19 GFR Zackarie Michaud (14) ASST: Oliver Plante (7)
17:57 GFR Loic Francoeur (15) ASST: Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (18), Jack Brown (5)
3rd
2:47 GFR Jonah Leard (13) ASST: Loic Gallant (10), Zackarie Michaud (20)
8:38 GFR Patrick Baxter (10) ASST: Nathan Dubreuil (4)
9:59 CHA Jayden Burtt-Munn (5) ASST: Jean-Christophe Gemme (11)
16:55 GFR Zackarie Michaud (15) ASST: Dereck Asselin (9)