The Rapids have now reached the mid-way point of their regular season schedule. With a record of 7 wins, 15 losses and 4 shootout defeats for a total of 18 points, the team is behind the last available playoff spot of its division by 11 points. Of course, everything is still possible with 26 more games remaining, but big decisions will have to be made before the trade deadline which is approaching fast.
If we look at how the team performed during the first half, we must admit that they gave everything they could. They did get through with the elements they had at their disposition.Veteran players paved the way, but some younger players made a good impression by demonstrating poise and confidence on the ice.
Closing out games has been a problem with this squad throughout the first half of the season. However, head coach Greg Leland evens goes further in mentioning that his team did show some inconsistencies at times.
“Too often we got ourselves in a hole by giving up the first goal of the game and/or getting behind 2-0 or by two goals which results in chasing the game or having to crawl back”, mentions Greg Leland.
“The only positive aspect is that we were ableto mount comebacks to gain points in a shootout etc. But that is a very tough way to play the game”.
The team has had its struggles offensively and was ranked last at one point in the goal scoring department. The Rapids have improved on this lately however with a total of 92 goals scored thus far, which ranks them 8th in the league and 5th in their division. The power play also ranked among the lowest in the league in percentage about a month ago, but that number has jumped to 20.2%, which happens to be the same as the league leading Edmundston Blizzard. Greg Leland is proud of his team’s improvement on offence, but he sees some improvement to be made on the defensive front.
“We have shown that we have enough offence to win, however, our defensive play is not up to standard. That’s something we will continue to work on”.
Asked what needs to be accomplished in the second half of the season, coach Leland talks about execution, efficiency and consistency:
“Our goal is to get off to better starts, reduce chances/goals against, and execute much better as several goals against come from mistakes that are highly preventable. The work ethic is there, as that is something that is non-negotiable on this team. We simply need to execute more efficiently and consistently “.
The Rapids will close out the month of December by playing two games on home ice and three on the road. They will have a busy upcoming week as they host Campbellton Wednesday before travelling to Edmundston on Friday and Miramichi on Sunday.
GAME RESULTS:
The Rapids played three games last week against some tough opponents. Last Thursday, they did lead the Summerside Western Capitals in shots on goal but were defeated by a 5-2 score. Goaltender Georges Gallant was the key player for Summerside while Jonah Leard tallied two goals for Grand Falls, his 16th and 17th of the season.
Friday night in Bouctouche, the Rapids had a great performance from Adam Lecours who blocked 41 shots. Nathan Rhodes scored the game winner at the 16-minute mark of the third period to break the tie and lead the Rapids to a 4-3 win over the West Kent Steamers.
Nicholas Brennan, Caleb MacDonald and Brayden Campbell also scored in the win.
Then on Sunday afternoon in Campbellton, the Rapids were ahead 3-1 at one point and came from behind to tie the game 4-4 in the third period, before the Tigers would pull ahead by scoring three unanswered goals in a 7-4 victory.
Ty Hunter scored twice for the Rapids.
Patrick Thibault
TEAM NEWS AND STATS
*Three teams this season have allowed more goals than the Rapids (115 goals against). Pictou County (136), Fredericton (133) and Valley (122) have allowed the most.
*The Rapids have a plus/minus differential (goals scored and allowed) of -22. The Fredericton Red Wings lead the league in that department at -53.
*Jeremy D’Astous continues to lead the team in scoring with 9 goals and 31 assists for 40points. D’Astous has jumped to 5th in the league in scoring this week.
Jonah Leard is second in team scoring and first in goals scored with a record of 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points. Leard is currently ranked 9th in the league in points. He is also ranked third in power play goals with 6.
*Goaltender Adam Lecours remains 12th in the league in goals-against average with 4.08. His won/lost record is at 6-10.
Loic Nadeau has a goals-against average of 3.84 in 6 games between the pipes. He has won 1 victory to his credit this season.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:
*The Edmundston Blizzard (48pts) have a 12-point lead on the West Kent Steamers (36pts)for top spot in the EastLink North division standings.
Following in order are Campbellton (32pts),Miramichi (29pts), the Rapids (18pts) and Fredericton (15pts).
The Summerside Western Capitals (45pts)have a 17-point lead over the Amherst Ramblers and the Pictou County Weeks Crushers (28pts each) (26pts) in the EastLinkSouth division. Following in order are Truro (27pts), Yarmouth (21pts) and Valley (16pts).
*Dominik Godin of the Summerside Western Capitals is still first in the MHL scoring racewith a record of 27 goals and 21 assists for 48points. His teammate Robbie Rutledge is second with 18 goals and 28 assists for 46points.
Lucas Canning of Pictou County is third with 24g and 20a for 44pts, followed by Philippe Collette of the Edmundston Blizzard (15g 28a 43pts) and Jeremy D’Astous of the Rapids (9g 31a 40pts).
*George Gallant of Summerside has the league’s best goals-against average at 2.55, followed by Simon Boucher of Edmundston at 2.79.
THE RAPIDS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
*Wednesday December 11: Campbellton at Rapids (7:15 pm)
*Friday December 13: Rapids at Edmundston (7:30 pm)
*Sunday December 15: Rapids at Miramichi (2:00 pm)