It’s been a tough stretch of games lately for the Rapids who are hoping to get back on the winning track. However, even though the losing streak has now reached 10 games, the team has played much better over the weekend and were far from being outmatched against the two top teams of its division.
Thursday night in Edmundston against a very talented Blizzard team, the Rapids held their opponents to only one goal until the midway point of the third period. Adam Lecours was solid between the pipes as Edmundston skated away with a slim 3-0 victory.
Saturday night’s result was sort of a heartbreaking loss as Grand Falls jumped to a 2-0 lead in the middle frame before the Miramichi Timberwolves came back to tie the score and win in overtime. The winning tally was scored on a penalty shot with less than a minute remaining in extra time. Loic Nadeau made 37 saves to keep the game close.
As statistics show, the Rapids have played some tight defensive games lately, allowing 4 or fewer goals to their opponents during the last five games. Goaltending has been solid, and the penalty kill has been key as the Rapids have not allowed a power play goal in 6 PP opportunities in their last two games.
What’s been difficult is scoring goals: 18 goals scored in their last 10 games for an average of less than 2 goals per game. In 41 games played thus far this season, the Rapids have scored a total of 132 goals (average of 3 goals per game).
The power play has also dropped: 16,2% which ranks the team in last place in the league.
Greg Leland’s squad returns home for a four-game stretch starting Wednesday night as the Rapids host the Fredericton Red Wings. Only 3 points separate those two teams from 5th spot in the Eastlink North division standings. The Red Wings will also finish the homestand with a game on February 14th. Miramichi and Campbellton are the two other teams the Rapids will see during the next few days at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre. Only 11 games remain on the regular season schedule for Grand Falls, all against teams from the North division.
Patrick Thibault
RAPIDS’ UPCOMING GAMES
Wednesday February 5: Fredericton vs Rapids(7:15 pm)
Friday February 7: Miramichi vs Rapids (7:00pm)
Sunday February 9: Campbellton vs Rapids (3:00 pm)
TEAM STATS AFTER 41 GAMES
*Overall record: 9–24–8 (26 points)
*Home record: 5–10-4 (14 points)
*Away record: 4-14–4 (12 points)
*Goals scored: 132 (8th in the league)
*Goals against: 180 (4th most in the league)
*Power play goals: 27 (tied for 9th in the league)
*Shorthanded goals: 1
*Power play efficiency: 16.2% (12th in the league)
*Penalty kill: 77.1% (ranked 9th in the league)
*Penalty minutes: 801 (8th in the league)
INDIVIDUAL STATS AFTER 41 GAMES
*Points leader: Jonah Leard (53)
*Goals: Jonah Leard (22)
*Assists: Jonah Leard (31)
*Power play goals: Jonah Leard (7)
*Shorthanded goals: Patrick Baxter (1)
*Winning goals: Nathan Rhodes and Jonah Leard (3)
*Goals against averages by goaltenders:
Adam Lecours (4.09) / Loic Nadeau (3.88)
LEAGUE STANDINGS:
EASTLINK NORTH:
EASTLINK SOUTH:
Leading scorer: Philippe Collette (EDM) 24g 51a 75pts
Best Goals against average: Austin Caley(EDM) 2.06