Rapids Fall Just Short in Holiday Classic Thriller Against Akwesasne Wild

The Paugan Falls Rapids and the Akwesasne Wild put on a night to remember Saturday at the Gatineau Valley Arena, as the Rapids came up just short in a wild 9–8 loss on Holiday Classic Night in front of an energized home crowd.

The Rapids wasted no time getting the building buzzing. At 12:53 of the first period, Dylan Chamberlin opened the scoring with his first goal of the season, finishing a breakaway after a perfect feed from Nolan Peck and ripping a shot top right corner. The Wild responded just over a minute later, as Greg Gibson tied the game at one.

Momentum swung right back 23 seconds later when Etienne Champagne restored the Rapids’ lead, beating Wild goaltender Cory Garrow high on the blocker side. Gibson added his second of the night at 7:44 to even things up again, but the Rapids weren’t done. At 4:17 of the first, Mathieu Menard scored a beautiful breakaway goal to make it 3–2.

The back-and-forth continued as Chris Newhook scored twice late in the frame for the Wild, sending the visitors into the first intermission with a 4–3 lead.

The second period belonged to the Wild, who capitalized on their chances and scored five unanswered goals to build a 9–3 advantage. The Rapids managed to stop the bleeding late in the period when Ryan Peck struck shorthanded with 2:39 remaining. Peck finished off a beautiful breakaway pass from Logan Beaupre, beating Garrow low on the glove side to make it 9–4 heading into the third.

What followed was one of the most dominant and electric periods the Rapids have played this season.

The home side completely tilted the ice in the third, outshooting the Wild 23–5. Just 34 seconds in, the power play went to work as William Venne finished off a crisp passing sequence from Etienne Champagne and Ryan Peck to make it 9–5. With 5:49 remaining, Garth McLaughlin buried a rebound off a Liam Murdoch point shot, pulling the Rapids within three.

The crowd grew louder with every shift. At 3:26 remaining, Braeden Pearl redirected a shot from Champagne to cut the deficit to 9–7. Then, with just 2:57 left, the building erupted. Sam McLaughlin fired a puck on net from outside the blue line, and after deflecting off the Wild netminder’s glove and popping into the air, the puck dropped behind him and into the net. Suddenly, it was 9–8, and belief surged through the arena.

The Rapids earned a power play in the final minutes and generated several quality chances, but couldn’t find the equalizer despite relentless pressure. When the final horn sounded, fans rose to their feet after witnessing what many called one of the most entertaining games in Rapids history, fueled by the high scoring and the unforgettable late comeback push.

The Rapids finished the night with a 51–34 edge in shots, a testament to their sustained pressure and third-period dominance.

Individually, Etienne Champagne led the way with a goal and three assists, earning second star of the game. Mathieu Menard was flying all night and was rewarded with a breakaway goal, also earning third star honours.

Saturday’s game also featured special community moments. Flag bearers came from the Gatineau Valley Youth Skating Program, which the Rapids proudly support each week by sending two players to assist the program's volunteer coaches. The young skaters, fresh off completing their fall program, showcased their skating skills by carrying the flags before the Rapids hit the ice.

Off the ice, Jennifer Cheslock won the 50/50 draw, taking home $1,220. Mackenzie Crites found the flag to win a Rapids t-shirt, and Michael Frederick claimed the CrossSmith team puck.

The Rapids now turn their attention to their next home game on Friday, January 2nd at 8:00 PM in Low, when the South Stormont Mustangs come to town for Rapids Fan Appreciation Night — another night fans won’t want to miss.