Rapids Fall to Rivermen, Garth McLaughlin Shines in Tough Loss

The Arnprior Rivermen took a commanding 10-3 victory over the Paugan Falls Rapids on Saturday night in Arnprior, despite a valiant effort from the short-staffed Rapids squad.

A Back-and-Forth Start

The first period saw a competitive exchange between the two teams. The Rivermen struck first, capitalizing on a turnover in front of the Rapids’ net. However, the Rapids responded in spectacular fashion on the power play with just 15 seconds remaining in the period. Etienne Champagne moved the puck across the blue line to Cole Peck, who delivered a perfectly placed slap pass to Garth McLaughlin. Positioned in front of the net, McLaughlin redirected the puck top corner to tie the game 1-1 heading into the intermission.

Momentum Shifts in the Second and Third Periods

The Rivermen took control in the second period, scoring nine consecutive goals through the remainder of the game. The Rapids, despite generating quality scoring opportunities and keeping the shot count close (40-36 in favor of Arnprior), struggled to convert their chances into goals.

Late in the third period, the Rapids found life again through the efforts of McLaughlin. The forward completed his hat trick, scoring twice in the final frame, including a second power play goal. McLaughlin’s standout performance earned him Rapids Player of the Game honors.

Key Challenges and Takeaways

The Rapids faced significant adversity in this matchup, with 10 starting players out of the lineup due to injuries and unavailability. Despite being shorthanded, the team showed resilience and determination, creating high-quality chances and fighting until the final whistle.

Looking Ahead

The Rapids return to home ice this Saturday night, December 14, to face the Manotick Mariners. The team will look to bounce back and put their lessons from this game into practice in front of their home crowd.

Join us for the action at the Gatineau Valley Arena and cheer on the Rapids as they fight to reclaim momentum! Go Rapids Go!