The Rapids finished their 2024 schedule with a win over the Amherst Ramblers on Friday night, bringing their season record to 8 wins, 16 losses and 6 extra time defeats for a total of 22 points.
Wednesday night’s game was a hard-fought battle against the Campbellton Tigers as the Rapids were able to tie the score in the third period after trailing by two goals.
Ben Nicholson scored the game winner for the Tigers with less than 5 minutes remaining in regulation time, breaking a 3-3 tie.
Jonah Leard scored his 19th goal of the season for Grand Falls. Cole MacWilliam and Derek Bird completed the scoring.
Friday night’s game marked the return of Jeremy D’Astous in the lineup after missing the previous game due to an injury. Dastous came out in style, scoring three times and adding an assist in a 5-1 Rapids’ victory over the Amherst Ramblers.
Nicholas Brennan and Caleb MacDonald both added empty net goals in the final minutes of the third period.
Adam Lecours was the winning goaltender, making a total of 43 saves.
With 30 games played, Grand Falls is currently 13 points behind the Miramichi Timberwolves for the final playoff spot in the Eastlink North division. So, is it possible that changes will be made to the roster in the upcoming weeks? We will have to wait and see in which direction the organization will go as to whether the team will become ‘sellers’ or even ‘buyers’ before the trade deadline. Take note that no transactions can be completed before January 1st. We will definitely keep you posted.
The Rapids will return to action on January 3rd as they host the Fredericton Red Wings. In the meantime, we wish Happy Holidays to all our Rapids’ fans!
Patrick Thibault
TEAM STATS AFTER 30 GAMES
*Overall record: 8-16-6 (22 points)
*Home record: 4-7-4 (12 points)
*Away record: 4-9-2 (10 points)
*Goals scored: 51 (6th in the league)
*Goals against: 66 (8th most in the league)
*Power play goals: 14 (1st in Eastlink North and 3rd in the league)
*Shorthanded goals: 1
*Power play efficiency: 20.3% (5th in the league)
*Penalty kill: 69.6% (ranked 8th in the league)
*Penalty minutes: 582 (10th in the league)
INDIVIDUAL STATS AFTER 30 GAMES
*Points leader: Jérémy D’Astous (47)
*Goals: Jonah Leard (19)
*Assists: Jérémy D’Astous (33)
*Power play goals: Jonah Leard (7)
*Shorthanded goals: Patrick Baxter (1)
*Winning goals: Nathan Rhodes (3)
*Goals against averages by goaltenders:
Adam Lecours (3.98) / Loic Nadeau (3.83)
LEAGUE STANDINGS:
EASTLINK NORTH:
EASTLINK SOUTH:
Leading scorer: Philippe Collette (Edm) 19g 40a 59pts
Best Goals against average: George Gallant (SWC) 2.68