Since the trade deadline, The Rapids have been scoring less than 3 goals per game and struggling on the power play. However, Sunday’s game against the Campbellton Tigers was a reminder that it takes time to find chemistry among a group of new players and that despite those struggles, there is always a way to find a solution.
What the Rapids have accomplished since losing many of their key elements on offense, is adjust to the elements they have at their disposition. A new identity has been created among the team, which is playing a more defensive style while taking advantage of scoring opportunities. Even though that second part came later on, we are witnessing something very encouraging lately, which has resulted in two wins for the team over their last three games.
Against the Tigers, the Rapids struck early, scoring two power play goals in a span of only 20 seconds, while adding another PP tally in the middle frame. They also scored while playing shorthanded, showing that special teams was key in this game.
They also allowed only 1 goal to their opponents, once again thanks to great goaltending.
Last Wednesday against the Fredericton Red Wings, the Rapids earned a shutout victory, breaking a 10-game winless skid.
So if we look at it closely, Greg Leland’s squad has allowed an average of only 3 goals per game over their last 8 games played on the schedule, which is consistent to the recipe of a winning team.
The only slipup they had this past weekend was a 5-1 loss to the Miramichi Timberwolves.
The Rapids have only 8 games remaining to their regular season schedule. They have distanced themselves from Fredericton in the standings and are playing with intensity during each and every game. The objective until the end of the season would be to add to the win column and continue to play so brilliantly on defense.
They will play a couple more games on home ice in the upcoming week, which is a great opportunity for the fans to come and encourage a team that works really hard to compete against top notch adversity.
Friday night, the Fredericton Red Wings come into town for a 7pm matchup while on Monday afternoon (Family Day), the Campbellton Tigers return to Grand Falls for a 3pm start. In between those two games, the Rapids will play a Sunday afternoon game in Edmundstonagainst the first-place Blizzard.
Patrick Thibault
Friday February 14: Fredericton vs Rapids(7:00 pm)
Sunday February 16: Rapids vs Edmundston(3:00 pm)
Monday February 17: Campbellton vs Rapids (3:00 pm)
TEAM STATS AFTER 44 GAMES
*Overall record: 11–25–8 (30 points)
*Home record: 7–11-4 (18 points)
*Away record: 4-14–4 (12 points)
*Goals scored: 140 (9th in the league)
*Goals against: 186 (5th most in the league)
*Power play goals: 31 (tied for 7th in the league)
*Shorthanded goals: 2
*Power play efficiency: 17.2% (9th in the league)
*Penalty kill: 77.9% (9th in the league)
*Penalty minutes: 866 (7th in the league)
INDIVIDUAL STATS AFTER 44 GAMES
*Points leader: Jonah Leard (57)
*Goals: Jonah Leard (23)
*Assists: Jonah Leard (34)
*Power play goals: Jonah Leard (7)
*Shorthanded goals: Patrick Baxter and Brody Pare (1)
*Winning goals: Nathan Rhodes and Jonah Leard (3)
*Goals against averages by goaltenders:
Adam Lecours (3.98) / Loic Nadeau (3.71)
EASTLINK NORTH:
EASTLINK SOUTH:
Leading scorer: Philippe Collette (EDM) 24g 51a 75pts
Best Goals against average: Austin Caley(EDM) 1.99