The Rapids will try to get back on the winning track on Wednesday night as they host the West Kent Steamers at the E.&P. SénéchalCentre. They will finish the week by traveling to Campbellton on Friday night for a matchup against the Tigers.
Grand Falls will try to snap a 6-game winless streak. During that span, it’s been on the offensive front where the team has had its struggles, scoring 11 goals in the last six games. Power play goals are also on the decline as the Rapids have gone 0 for 27 in their last seven games.
Looking at those stats, it is hard to imagine the effort that has been deployed on the ice. But since the end of the trade deadline, players have tried their best to compete against teams that have gotten better on all facets of the game for the last few weeks. What was once considered a division of parity in the Eastlink North has now been divided into teams aspiring for the championship and those looking ahead for the future. So, for the Rapids, we have to admit that being outmatched against certain teams will happen at times until the end of the season. However, effort can never be measured in such a way and that will be the key to finishing off the season on a high note.
If there is one statistic that proves such effort, it would have to be on the shots on goal department. Despite being outshot in their last 6 games, it wasn’t by such a high margin. In fact, it’s been close enough to consider that scoring chances have come the Rapids’ way. The tough part is finishing off those chancesand being the most opportunistic team on the ice, especially on special teams.
We have also seen for the past two weeks some new players making their mark on the team. Goaltending has also been solid, and the penalty kill remains at a reasonable 74.8 efficiency rate.
With 15 games remaining on the schedule, it doesn’t get any easier for the next few weeks. The Rapids have another four games remaining against the West Kent Steamers and Campbellton Tigers and two matchups against the Edmundston Blizzard and MiramichiTimberwolves, all teams vying for the first three spots in the Eastlink North division.
It will be important to focus on one game at a time and for the players to improve on theirgame, which should in return contribute to adding points to the standings.
Patrick Thibault
RAPIDS’ UPCOMING GAMES
Wednesday January 22: West Kent vs Rapids(7:15 pm)
Friday January 24: Rapids vs Campbellton (7pm)
TEAM STATS AFTER 35 GAMES
*Overall record: 9–22-6 (24 points)
*Home record: 5–9-4 (14 points)
*Away record: 4-13-2 (10 points)
*Goals scored: 125 (8th in the league)
*Goals against: 166 (3rd most in the league)
*Power play goals: 26 (tied for 9th in the league)
*Shorthanded goals: 1
*Power play efficiency: 16.8% (tied for 9th in the league)
*Penalty kill: 74.8% (ranked 9th in the league)
*Penalty minutes: 730 (8th in the league)
INDIVIDUAL STATS AFTER 35 GAMES
*Points leader: Jonah Leard (50)
*Goals: Jonah Leard (22)
*Assists: Jonah Leard (28)
*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 (4.19) / Loic Nadeau (3.97)
LEAGUE STANDINGS:
EASTLINK NORTH:
EASTLINK SOUTH:
Leadings scorers: Lucas Canning (PCC) 40g 26a 66pts and Dominik Godin (SWC) 35g 31a 66pts
Best Goals against average: Austin Caley(EDM) 2.15