RAPIDS’ WEEKLY REPORT – January 29

The Rapids were in action on two occasions last week, earning 1 point in the standings on the road.

Wednesday night at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre, the Rapids were defeated 4-2 by the West Kent Steamers. The score was tied 2-2 after twenty minutes of play but the visitors scored once in the second and added another goal in the third to earn the victory.

Then on Friday night in Campbellton, Greg Leland’s squad was only 12 seconds away from putting an end to a 7-game winless streak as the Tigers came back to tie the game and win in the shootout frame 4-3.

Médéric Allard, acquired at the trade deadline, scored twice for Grand Falls on Friday as he brings his total to 5 goals since joining the Rapids.

Goaltender Adam Lecours was also a key figurein the contest as he faced 55 shots, keeping his team in the game despite the loss.

The Rapids’ record now stands at 9-23-7 forthe season, which brings their point total to 25pts. Note that Friday’s loss was the Rapids’ 6thin the shootout frame, which ranks the teamfor most shootout losses in the league this season.

There was some good news that came out from the league early in the week as 7 members of the team will be representing the Rapids at the first annual MHL All-Star Evening at Jean-Daigle Centre in Edmundston, N.B. on Tuesday, February 11th.

Representing the Senior Stars (age 19-20) are defenseman Isaac Allard and forward Nathan Plamondon-Michaud, both players who joined the team at the trade deadline a few weeks ago.
For the Young Guns game (age 16-18), players from the Rapids are defenseman Raphaël Michaud and forwards Jonah Leard and Brayden Campbell.

Also representing the Rapids’ organization are head coach Greg Leland, who will be joining the coaching staff, and Yasmine
Bagdibanga as athletic therapist.

The Rapids will face the Blizzard on Thursday night in Edmundston (7:30 pm) to end the month of January. They start February with a game Saturday night in Miramichi against the Timberwolves. Puck drop is at 7 pm.

Patrick Thibault

RAPIDS’ UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday January 30: Rapids vs Edmundston(7:30 pm)

Saturday February 1st: Rapids vs Miramichi(7:00 pm)

TEAM STATS AFTER 39 GAMES

*Overall record: 9237 (25 points)

*Home record: 510-4 (14 points)

*Away record: 4-133 (11 points)

*Goals scored: 130 (8th in the league)

*Goals against: 174 (4th most in the league)

*Power play goals: 27 (8th in the league)

*Shorthanded goals: 1

*Power play efficiency: 16.5% (10th in the league)

*Penalty kill: 76.1% (ranked 9th in the league)

*Penalty minutes: 789 (7th in the league)

INDIVIDUAL STATS AFTER 39 GAMES

*Points leader: Jonah Leard (52)

*Goals: Jonah Leard (22)

*Assists: Jonah Leard (30)

*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 (4.13) / Loic Nadeau (3.97)

LEAGUE STANDINGS:

EASTLINK NORTH:

1- Edmundston 68pts
2- Campbellton 49pts
3- West Kent 49pts
4- Miramichi 47pts
5- Grand Falls 25pts
6- Fredericton 21pts

EASTLINK SOUTH:

1- Summerside 62pts
2- Amherst 52pts
3- Pictou County 45pts
4- Truro 43pts
5- Yarmouth 31pts
6- Valley 18pts

Leadings scorers: Lucas Canning (PCC) 42g 27a 69pts and Philippe Collette (EDM) 24g 45a 69pts

Best Goals against average: Austin Caley (EDM) 2.06