The Rapids concluded their eight-game home stand last Sunday afternoon with a record of 2 wins, 2 regulation time losses and 4 shootout defeats for a total of 8 points. They are currently tied with the Fredericton Red Wings for 5th spot in the EastLink North division standings with 12 points.
Of course, the goal was to perhaps jump to 4th place or at least take sole possession of the 5th spot following those 8 home games, but we must admit that there are many positives coming out of the team over the past few weeks.
Coming from behind in many of those contests was a sign that there is no quit in this squad. Scoring was also spread throughout the lineup as well as good defensive play when it was needed the most.
What was maybe the highlight coming out ofthis extended homestand was the way the Rapids played both division leaders, gaining 3 points out of a possibility of 4 against Edmundston and Summerside.
The team also had to deal with injuries and suspensions to key players, including defensemen, but forwards came to the rescue at the blue line. It was also a grind against teams battling for top spots in their respective divisions, but the Rapids prevailed and fought hard until the end.
Shootouts have not been kind to this team (4 losses in as many tries), but they can certainly do something about it at practices as players will try to find a signature move to beat the opposing netminder.
And finally, the power play got going as Grand Falls is now 4th in its division in PP efficiency.
Friday night’s contest against the South-leading Western Capitals revealed many things about Greg Leland’s squad. They first took advantage of their opponents’ frequent trips to the penalty box in the opening frame, scoring three power play goals. But they quickly lost their 3-goal lead in the middle frame when Summerside stormed back to tie the score. But the Rapids kept battling and took control of momentum, scoring twice before the end of the period and two more times in the third, hanging on for the 7-4 win.
That victory put an end to a 5-game winless streak for Grand Falls.
Caleb MacDonald scored twice for the Rapids while Jonah Leard finished the game with 1 goal and 2 assists.
It was a defensive struggle on Sunday afternoon against the Fredericton Red Wings. Down by two goals in the first period, the Rapids came back once again to tie the score and force overtime.
What is also to mention about those two contests are two important key stats: the Rapids dominated both games in shots on goal, registering a total of 37 shots against Summerside and 42 against Fredericton.
They also got contributions offensively from 8 different goal scorers, which is a good sign if we consider the goal of obtaining various production from up front.
Goalkeepers were also solid as both Loic Nadeau and Adam Lecours made starts between the pipes.
The Rapids will have to wait a few days before returning to action as they are idle next weekend. They return to the ice on Friday November 15th in Edmundston as they will clash with the league-leading Blizzard. Then on Sunday (the 17th), the Miramichi Timberwolves come to town for an important matchup as only 2 points separate both teams for the 4th spot in the EastLink North division standings.
There is lots to look forward to once the team hits the ice once more!
Note that the Rapids’ weekly report will return following those two games.
Patrick Thibault
TEAM NEWS AND STATS
*The Rapids’ home record this season is 3 wins, 4 regulation time losses and 4 shootout defeats for a total of 10 points.
On the road, Grand Falls has a record of 1 win and 4 losses for 2 points.
*The Rapids are 4th in their division with a power play efficiency of 13.6% and in 5th spot in penalty kill at 79.2%.
*The Rapids are ranked third in the league in penalty minutes with 407 min. Summerside leads the league in that department with a total of 572 penalty minutes.
*Jonah Leard has taken the team lead in scoring with 11 goals and 9 assists for 20 points. Jeremy D’Astous is second with 4g and 15a for 19 points.
*Following is an updated statistic look at goals scored and allowed by the Rapids during each period played thus far this season. Note that the first period of play is the one where less goals have been scored, for and against.
GOALS FOR
1st period: 15
2nd period: 19
3rd period: 19
Extra time: 0
*TOTAL: 53 goals for
GOALS AGAINST
1st period: 20
2nd period: 22
3rd period: 22
Extra time: 4
*TOTAL: 68 goals against
NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:
*The Edmundston Blizzard remain the leadersin the EastLink North division standings with a record of 17 wins and 2 losses for a total of 34points. They lead the West Kent Steamers by 15 points.
The Campbellton Tigers have taken third spot in the division with 17 points, followed by Miramichi (14 points) while Fredericton andGrand Falls complete the standings with 12 points each.
The Summerside Western Capitals have a 10-point lead over the Amherst Ramblers in the EastLink South division. Following in order are Valley and Pictou County (16pts each), followed by Yarmouth and Truro who are also tied with 13 points.
*Philippe Collette of the Edmundston Blizzard is the league’s leading scorer with a record of 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points.
Brett Arsenault of Summerside is second with 14g 15a for 29pts.
*Niko Boudreau of Summerside has the best goals against average in the league at 2.55. Simon Boucher of Edmundston is second with an average of 2.72.
THE RAPIDS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
*Friday November 15: Rapids at Edmundston(7:30 pm)
*Sunday November 17: Miramichi at Rapids(3:00 pm)