RAPIDS WIN 8th CONSECUTIVE HOME GAME

GRAND FALLS – A 4-point performance by Nathan Plamondon-Michaud, followed by a 26-save shutout by Adam Lecours, led the Grand Falls Rapids to their 8th consecutive home win on Sunday afternoon against the Pictou County Weeks Crushers.
The 4-0 victory brings the Rapids record to 9-3-1 for 19 points, which is 1-point less than the Chaleur Lightning for top spot in the Eastlink North division standings.

Despite the final score, the Weeks Crushers were worthy opponents as they battled physically throughout the contest while outshooting the Rapids 26 to 24. Grand Falls held a 1-0 lead after forty minutes of play until three unanswered goals in the third period sealed the victory.
Plamondon-Michaud led the way offensively with 2 goals, his 8th and 9th of the season, while adding two assists. As for Lecours, it was his 7th victory of the season between the pipes and his first shutout of the campaign.

Plamondon-Michaud scored his first of the game at the 7-minute mark of the opening frame after receiving a perfect pass in front of the net from defenseman Julien Avignon-Bourque.
The Rapids were penalized with four minor penalties in the period but were able to hold their opponents off the board.

There was no scoring in the second period as the Weeks Crushers controlled the pace of the game, even limiting Grand Falls to only 4 shots on goal.
However, the Rapids came out strong in the third period, scoring three times. Zacharie Michaud tallied his 5th of the season at 1:47 when he came rushing into Pictou territory with linemate Nathan Plamondon-Michaud. Mathis Cyr brought the score 3-0 on a screen shot from the point at 5:38, and Plamondon-Michaud added his second of the game at 13:44 on a wrist shot to the short side of the net while the Rapids were playing with the man advantage.

Adam Lecours, who made some key saves to keep the Rapids in front through the first two periods of play, was named the game’s first star. Plamondon-Michaud received second star honors while Mathis Cyr was named the game’s third star.

WEEKEND ANALYSIS:

*The Rapids won their 3rd consecutive game on Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of 924 at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
They received some great offensive contributions over the weekend, including a 2g 3a performance on Friday night from Jonah Leard, followed by 2g 2a from Nathan Plamondon-Michaud on Sunday.
Adam Lecours was also solid with a total of 49 saves in his two starts between the pipes.

Despite the occasional penalties that sometimes can kill momentum, Greg Leland’s squad is playing very well in all facets of the game. Teams around the league are taking notice of these Rapids and finding out that they cannot be pushed around. This team can play a fast-paced game, a very physical one when necessary and they can also play a tight defensive game which can confuse many opposing coaches’ game plans. Even though there is still room for improvement, the Rapids are an exciting team to watch and most certainly one of the best thus far this season in the MHL.

Patrick Thibault

Scoring
1st
7:05 GFR Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (8) ASST: Julien Avignon-Bourque (5), Jack Brown (2)

2nd
No Scoring
3rd
1:47 GFR Zackarie Michaud (5) ASST: Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (7)

5:38 GFR Mathis Cyr (3) ASST: Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (8)

13:44 GFR Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (9) ASST: Oliver Plante (5), Zackarie Michaud (11) (PP)