It’s been a very productive month of February for the Rapids as they hold a record of 3 wins, 1 regulation loss and 2 extra time defeats for a total of 8 points in six games. Those 8 points have propelled them to a 10-point lead over the Fredericton Red Wings for 5th spot in the Eastlink North division standings, which would be the best way to finish off a season and look ahead to the next one.
Greg Leland’s squad started off the weekend with a 3-1 victory on Friday night against the Red Wings at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre. Goaltender Adam Lecours was again phenomenal between the pipes, stopping 38 of 39 shots while earning his 10th win of the season. Nicholas Brennan, Nathan Plamondon-Michaud and Jonah Leard scored for Grand Falls who won for the fourth time this season against Fredericton.
Sunday afternoon’s contest in Edmundston was a showcase between two teams with different views moving forward. While the Rapids are focused on finishing off the 2024-2025 calendar on a high note and preparing their team for next season, the Blizzard are lookingno more than a championship run as they will most likely finish first overall in the standings. The Rapids played another great defensive game, shutting down Edmundston’s top scorers and getting great goaltending once again from Adam Lecours.
Jonah Leard, with his 25th of the season, tied the game at the 14-minute mark of the third period on a power play. The game was decided in the shootout frame on a goal from Blizzard captain Philippe Collette. Even though it was the Rapids’ 7th loss of the season in the shootout, they did manage to pick up a point, which gives them a weekend of 3 points in 2 games.
There are 6 games remaining to be played on the schedule for Grand Falls, including the one that was postponed on Monday against Campbellton due to bad weather.
The Rapids will travel to Fredericton on Saturday for a 7pm puck drop at the Grant-Harvey Centre. Then on Sunday afternoon, the West Kent Steamers come to the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre for a 3pm start.
The team will be looking to add more victories to its record, but most importantly, continue ontheir fine defensive play as the Rapids have allowed thus far in February only 13 goals in 6 games for an average of close to 2 goals per game. That is a remarkable statistic and certainly something to build on for the upcoming season.
Patrick Thibault
Saturday February 22: Rapids vs Fredericton (7:00 pm)
Sunday February 23: West Kent vs Rapids(3:00 pm)
TEAM STATS AFTER 46 GAMES
*Overall record: 12–25–9 (33 points)
*Home record: 8–11-4 (20 points)
*Away record: 4-14–5 (13 points)
*Goals scored: 145 (8th in the league)
*Goals against: 190 (5th most in the league)
*Power play goals: 31 (tied for 9th in the league)
*Shorthanded goals: 2
*Power play efficiency: 16.5% (12th in the league)
*Penalty kill: 77.4% (9th in the league)
*Penalty minutes: 940 (6th in the league)
INDIVIDUAL STATS AFTER 46 GAMES
*Points leader: Jonah Leard (59)
*Goals: Jonah Leard (25)
*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 (3.80) / Loic Nadeau (3.71)
EASTLINK NORTH:
EASTLINK SOUTH:
Leading scorer: Dominik Godin (SWC) 43g 37a 80pts
Best Goals against average: Austin Caley(EDM) 1.98