Rapids Shine in 9-4 Victory Over the Pipers: A Night of High-Energy Hockey and Unmatched Atmosphere!

The Paugan Falls Rapids delivered an electrifying performance on Saturday, January 25th, 2025, defeating the Glengarry Pipers 9-4 in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 352 fans at the Gatineau Valley Arena. From the opening puck drop, the Rapids were on fire, controlling the game with speed, skill, and an infectious energy that set the tone for the night.

A Fast Start for the Rapids

The Rapids came out strong from the very first whistle. Mathieu Menard opened the scoring at 13:02 in the first period, stripping the puck from a defender and firing a quick shot that slipped past the Pipers’ goalie on the blocker side. Just three minutes later, Garth McLaughlin set up Robert Beaudoin for a breakaway, and Beaudoin made no mistake, beating the goalie with a perfect snap shot that hit the post and went in, making it 2-0. The Rapids weren’t done there—just two minutes later, McLaughlin finished off a beautiful tic-tac-toe play on the powerplay, giving the Rapids a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Pipers Respond, But the Rapids Keep the Pressure On

The Pipers responded in the second period, scoring at 16:36 to cut the lead to 3-1. But the Rapids were relentless. On the powerplay, Ryan Peck came flying in on the rush and blasted a shot high blocker side, sending the water bottle flying and bringing the crowd to their feet for the 4-1 lead. Just two minutes later, Carter Peck scored a short-handed goal, burying his own rebound through the five-hole to make it 5-1. Despite a powerplay goal by the Pipers at 11:30 to make it 5-2, the Rapids kept their momentum and closed out the second period with another powerplay goal from Etienne Champagne, bringing the score to 6-2.

Third Period Surge: Rapids Close Out the Victory

In the third period, the Rapids continued their offensive onslaught. Carter Peck, Ryan Peck, and Robert Beaudoin each scored their second goals of the game, bringing the score to 9-4. The Pipers managed to add two more goals, but the Rapids were in control, sealing the victory with a final score of 9-4.

Team Effort and Special Teams Dominance

The line of Eric Skyba, Garth McLaughlin, and Robert Beaudoin was outstanding, combining for 7 points on the night. The Rapids' powerplay was also in top form, converting on 4 of 6 attempts, and now sit in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference with a 23.9% efficiency, just ahead of Manotick (23.2%).

The Atmosphere: Ronnie Rapid Steals the Show

The atmosphere in the arena was nothing short of electric. Ronnie Rapid, the team’s mascot, was in top form, entertaining the crowd with his usual antics and keeping the energy high all night. One of the highlights of the evening was the Beavertails Koozie giveaway during the first intermission, with Ronnie tossing about 30 Rapids x Beavertails Koozies into the crowd, much to the delight of lucky fans. Ronnie’s dancing, cheering, and general high-energy presence made this one of his best games yet, with fans snapping photos and videos throughout the night.

Fan Prizes and Fun

The crowd also had a chance to win some great prizes:

• Louise Emond took home $775 in the 50/50 draw.
• Marc Savard won Chuck-A-Puck.
• Christine Leslie won the Century 21 x Rapids Puck.

The flag bearers for the evening were Rowan Fleury, Avery Fleury, and Austin Fleury, while the national anthem was beautifully performed by Selina McCambley.

Looking Ahead: The Final Stretch of the Regular Season

As the Rapids close in on the playoffs, the final two home games of the regular season are crucial for playoff momentum. The team heads on the road to face the South Grenville Rangers on February 1st before returning to home ice on February 8th for a must-see matchup against the Arnprior Rivermen. The game on February 8th is the last home game of the regular season, and it’s shaping up to be a thrilling showdown. Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this one!

Go Rapids Go!

The Rapids are in great form and hungry for more victories. With an electric crowd, great performances from key players, and non-stop entertainment, the best is yet to come. Get your tickets, bring your friends, and come enjoy the action as the Rapids continue their push for the playoffs!