Rapids Generate 45 Shots but Fall Short in Exhibition Rematch

The Paugan Falls Rapids wrapped up their exhibition schedule on Sunday, September 21, with a spirited effort in Smiths Falls that ultimately ended in a 7–4 defeat to the Rideaus. Despite never holding the lead, the Rapids showed resilience and flashes of offensive firepower, outshooting the hosts 45–30 and continuing to build chemistry heading into the regular season.

The game opened with a memorable moment for newcomer Braeden Pearl, who scored his first goal as a Rapid in his debut. After intercepting a pass at the top of the circle, Ric Shin deked around a defender with a slick toe drag before sliding a perfect backdoor feed to Pearl for a tap-in that tied the game 1–1.

The middle frame proved costly as Smiths Falls erupted for four goals in a two-minute span to surge ahead 5–1. The Rapids, however, pushed back late in the period. Garth McLaughlin finished off a play from Devon Thompson and Eric Skyba with 3:44 remaining, and just two minutes later, Luke Peck converted on the power play after a crisp passing sequence with Raphael Lajeunesse and Etienne Champagne.

The Rideaus extended their advantage in the third, but the Rapids kept pressing. Lajeunesse capped his strong night with a highlight-reel goal, cutting the deficit to 7–4. He finished the game with a goal and an assist, earning Rapids Player of the Game honours.

The matchup also featured some physical fireworks. At 8:14 of the third period, Nolan Peck dropped the gloves with Cory Hurlbert in his first NPHL fight after a battle along the boards, further energizing the Rapids bench.

Between the pipes, Mathieu Charbonneau stood tall in the opening frame, turning aside eight of nine shots to keep the Rapids within striking distance early before Malcolm Patry took over in the second and third period.

While the scoreboard tilted in Smiths Falls’ favour, the Rapids left with plenty of positives to build on — including the play of Pearl in his debut, the emergence of new offensive chemistry, and the team’s ability to generate 45 shots against a tough Western Conference opponent.

Next up, the Rapids turn their attention to the start of the 2025–26 NPHL regular season, which opens on the road September 27 against the South Grenville Rangers.