The Rapids will look to get into the win column this upcoming weekend as they return Friday night on home ice. The visitors will be the Campbellton Tigers who have a record of 1 win and 2 losses since the start of the regular season.
The Rapids came close to earning their first points of the season last Saturday night in Fredericton, dropping a close 4-3 decision to the Red Wings. Down by two goals early on, Grand Falls was able to tie the score before the end of the opening frame until their opponents came back with two unanswered goals to take the lead for good.
Then on Sunday afternoon in Bouctouche, goalkeeper Rhyah Stewart stole the show, making 29 saves and earning a shutout in a 3-0 victory for the West Kent Steamers over Grand Falls.
Starting the season at 0-4 is not what was envisioned by the players and the coaching staff, but there is still a long way to go before quitting on this squad. Despite many new faces being added to the lineup, some are already making their mark on the team.
One of them is the team’s leading goal-scorer, Brayden Campbell. As an affiliated player last season, Campbell scored 2 goals in 9 games played with the Rapids. As a full-time player this season, the Saint John (NB) native has already 2 goals to his credit in 4 games. He is the only Rapids’ player to have two or more goals to his record since the start of the season. In 2023-2024 with the Saint John Vitos in Midget AAA, Campbell scored 16 goals in 34 games.
However, the Rapids will have to rely on other players to find the back of the net as the team has only scored 6 times in their first 4 games of the season. It will take a team effort while still working hard at the defensive end to cut the number of shots on goal from their opponents.
Note that netminder Loic Nadeau made his first MHL start on Sunday, making 36 saves and earning third star of the game honors. Goaltending is most certainly a strong point ofthe team this season.
Patrick Thibault
TEAM NEWS AND STATS
*Nicholas Brennan (1g 1a) has also 2 points to his record this season, as well as defenseman Will Morrison (2a).
*The Rapids have scored 6 goals and allowed 19 to their opponents for a plus/minus of -13. Their power play efficiency is at 6.3%, having scored once with the man advantage while allowing 3 PP goals.
*The Rapids are leading the league in penalty minutes with 132 min. Two teams come in second in that department with both 107 min.: Summerside and Fredericton.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:
*The Edmundston Blizzard and MiramichiTimberwolves share first spot in the EastLinkNorth division standings with 6 points each.The Blizzard, who are undefeated, have played only 3 games compared to 4 for the Timberwolves.
The Summerside Western Capitals have taken sole possession of first place in the EastLinkSouth with a record of 3 wins and 0 losses for 6 points. Yarmouth and Pictou County are tied for second spot with 4 points each.
*Benjamin DeJonge of the Fredericton Red Wings is the league’s scoring leader with a record of 4g and 4a for 8 points. He is followed by seven players who all have 7 points each.
Three players share the lead in the goal-scoring department: Brett Arsenault (Summerside), Jaden Reyers (Amherst) and Alexis Tanguay (Yarmouth) have all scored 5 goals since the start of the regular season. Reyers is also the leader in power play goals with 3.
*Two goaltenders have already registered a shutout this season. They are Jack Flanagan of the Miramichi Timberwolves and Rhyah Stewart of the West Kent Steamers. Stewart became Sunday the second female to start a game between the pipes in the MHL.
THE RAPIDS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
*Friday September 27: Campbellton at Rapids (7:00 pm)
*Sunday September 29: Rapids at Miramichi(2:00 pm)