Despite two losses over the weekend, the Rapids finish their February schedule with a winning record of 5 wins and 4 losses. With only four games remaining to their 2023-2024 schedule, they will certainly aim to jump up from one spot in the standings as they are currently 3 points back of the Campbellton Tigers for 5th place in the Eastlink North division.
Grand Falls was officially eliminated from playoff contention last Saturday following their loss to the Miramichi Timberwolves. Winners of 4 consecutive games and 7 out of their last 10, the Timberwolves are an improved squad and are playing very well defensively. It was hard for the Rapids to get anything going offensively as they registered only 21 shots on goal, including only 3 in the opening period.
However, the game was within reach for Grand Falls until the 7-minute mark of the third period; that’s when Miramichi took a 2-goal lead to secure the victory.
Then on Sunday afternoon on home ice against the West-Kent Steamers, it was another close affair. By scoring four goals in the second period, the Steamers went on to a 5-2 victory.
Ethan Johnson scored all three of the Rapids’ goals over the weekend, his 13th, 14th and 15th tallies of the season. A 2004-born player, Johnson has still one more year of eligibility left in the junior A ranks.
Replacing Adam Lecours who was absent from the lineup for both games, Will Hodgson performed very well between the pipes, making some key saves to keep his team in the game.
The Rapids have three home games remaining, including two this upcoming weekend against teams from the Eastlink South division.
On Friday, they host the Yarmouth Mariners (7pm) before clashing with the Valley Wildcats on Sunday afternoon (3pm).
As mentioned, 5th spot is still attainable.
Grand Falls will close out its season with games against Miramichi at home (March 8) and in Fredericton (March10).
Patrick Thibault
TEAM NEWS AND STATS
*The Rapids’ record now stands at 14 wins, 31 losses and 3 shootout defeats for a total of 31 points. They are currently 3 points back of the Campbellton Tigers for 5th spot in the division.
*The Rapids are the third-least penalized team this season in the league with a total of 692 minutes in 48 games. Only Fredericton and Campbellton have fewer penalty minutes thus far this season.
The Summerside Western Capitals lead the league in that statistical department with 1246 penalty min., followed by Valley with 1134 min.
*Grand Falls’ power play efficiency has slightly gone down a notch to 18.7% this week while the penalty kill is at 75.0%, which is an improvement from last week.
*Ethan Johnson has taken over the team lead in goals scored with 15. Jérémy Boulanger is second on the list with 14 goals.
*Following are the team leaders among different statistical departments:
-points: Jérémy Boulanger (45)
-goals: Ethan Johnson (15)
-assists: Jérémy Boulanger (31)
-power play goals: Jonah Leard, Jérémy Boulanger, Ethan Johnson (4)
-power play points: Ethan Johnson (21)
-shorthanded goals: Zacharie Charest and Tristan Sanchez (1)
-winning goals: Zacharie Charest (3)
-goals against average: Adam Lecours (3.45)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:
*The Edmundston Blizzard currently hold a 5-point lead atop the Eastlink North division standings with 69 points in 46 games played. West Kent follows with 64 points in 47 games.
Following in order in the standings are: Miramichi (61pts), Fredericton (43pts), Campbellton (34pts) and the Rapids (31pts).
Both Campbellton and Grand Falls are out of a playoff spot.
In the Eastlink South division, the Summerside Western Capitals have clinched first place in the division with 75 points.
Yarmouth is second in the division with 56pts, followed by three teams tied for 3rd spot at 53pts: Pictou County, Truro and Amherst. Valley is in 6th place with 20pts. The Wildcats are the only team thus far that is eliminated from a playoff spot in the Eastlink South division.
*Carter McCluskey of the Fredericton Red Wings leads the league in scoring with a record of 42 goals and 53 assists for 95 points. He is followed by Félix Bédard of Edmundston (35g 51a 86pts).
Nicholas Sheehan of the Edmundston Blizzard remains the leader among goaltenders with the best goals-against average with 2.41.
THE RAPIDS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
*Friday March 1: Yarmouth vs Rapids (7:00 pm)
*Sunday March 3: Valley vs Rapids (3:00 pm)