Statement 9–1 Win Sends Rapids to Tuesday Night Play-In on Home Ice

The Paugan Falls Rapids checked every box Friday night in Prescott.

Facing a must-win scenario with postseason implications hanging in the balance, the Rapids delivered a dominant 9–1 road victory over the South Grenville Rangers, locking up home ice advantage for next week’s one-game play-in showdown.

It wasn’t an easy start — but it ended exactly the way a playoff-ready team should.

A Slow Start, Then a Turning Point

The opening period didn’t suggest a lopsided final score.

South Grenville came out flying, outshooting the Rapids 23–15 in the first frame and forcing goaltender Malcolm Patry into several crucial saves to keep the game level. Patry’s calm presence early proved to be a turning point, allowing the Rapids to weather the storm and stay composed.

At 5:11 remaining in the first, the Rapids struck first on the power play. Conor Ali held the puck at the blue line, waited out a defender, stepped to the middle, and fired a low pass that Braeden Pearl perfectly redirected beside the post to open the scoring. Liam Murdoch picked up the second assist on the play.

The Rangers answered late in the period, banging home a rebound at 2:08, sending the teams to the intermission tied 1–1.

The Rapids Take Control in the Second

The second period marked a complete shift in momentum.

At 17:35, Sam McLaughlin gave the Rapids the lead with one of the night’s highlight-reel goals. Breaking in on a 2-on-1 rush, Sam McLaughlin froze the entire building by selling the pass before snapping a perfect glove-side shot into the top corner.

From there, the floodgates opened.

At 11:28, Ryan Peck jumped on a rebound off a point shot from Cole Peck and buried it to make it 3–1. Just over eight minutes later, Ryan struck again on the power play, firing a low point shot that slipped five-hole to extend the lead to 4–1.

The Rapids weren’t done.

With 1:20 remaining in the period, William Venne sniped a top-corner shot off the rush, finishing a play set up by Ryan Peck and Cole Peck to give the Rapids a commanding 5–1 lead heading into the third.

Closing It Out the Right Way

The third period was textbook playoff hockey.

Protecting a four-goal cushion, the Rapids focused on getting pucks deep, managing the game, and doing the little things right. The smart approach paid off.

Carter Peck broke his goalless streak at the perfect time, scoring twice at 16:04 and 11:22, adding both confidence and separation to the scoreline.

Later, Etienne Champagne converted on a 5-on-3 power play, finishing a setup from Keon Troccoli-Roik and Conor Ali. Pearl capped off the night with his second goal, assisted by Sam McLaughlin and John Mahoney, sealing the 9–1 result.

Stars of the Night

The Rapids saw contributions throughout the lineup, with seven players recording multi-point games.

Ryan Peck earned First Star honours with a 2-goal, 2-assist performance. Cole Peck was named Second Star after a four-assist night.

But the backbone of the win was Malcolm Patry, who turned aside 53 of 54 shots, posting a remarkable .981 save percentage. Patry made several game-saving stops early and was named the Rapids Player of the Game for his best performance of the season.

Home Ice Secured — All Eyes on Tuesday Night

With the win, the Rapids officially secured home ice advantage for a one-game play-in matchup against the Arnprior Rivermen.

📅 Tuesday, February 10
📍 Gatineau Valley Arena
🕢 Puck Drop: 7:45 PM
🕖 Warm-Up: 7:15 PM

This is playoff hockey — one game, winner advances.

🎟 Tickets:

  • $10 at the door

  • Available in advance via Frontdoor+

  • All fans require a ticket for playoffs (regular-season and corporate season tickets are no longer valid)

  • Kids 12 & under get in FREE

A Rivalry That Delivers Every Time

The Rapids and Rivermen rivalry has been building since the Rapids joined the league in 2023, and the all-time series remains exactly even at 5-5, with several games having been decided in overtime.

This season’s meetings have been no different:

  • Nov. 7 (Low): Rapids win 7–4

  • Dec. 20 (Arnprior): Rivermen edge the Rapids 4–3 in a tightly contested battle

Tuesday’s play-in game promises the same intensity, urgency, and emotion — with a season on the line.

By the Numbers

Statistically, the matchup is as close as it feels:

  • Goals For: Rapids 3.9 | Rivermen 3.2

  • Power Play: Rapids ~22% (3rd in NPHL East) | Rivermen ~12% (8th in NPHL East)

  • Penalty Kill: Rivermen 77% | Rapids 75%

The Rapids will lean on Etienne Champagne (17G, 12A, 29 pts in 19 GP) and Ryan Peck (11G, 14A, 25 pts in 19 GP) to lead offensively, while the defensive pairing of Cole Peck and Conor Ali will be tasked with shutting down Arnprior’s top threats.

For the Rivermen, Alex Hulford headlines a talented offensive group, while goaltender Carlen Lyle remains their biggest asset — a netminder capable of stealing a game if given momentum. The Rapids will look to start fast and apply pressure early.

Make Home Ice Matter

Playoff hockey is back in Low — and it’s up to Rapids fans to make home ice count.

Ronnie Rapid will be in the building bringing the energy, and Janet Egan will perform the national anthem as the Rapids hit the ice with their season on the line.

Weeknight or not, this one matters.

Spread the word. Bring a friend. Pack the rink.
Let’s make Tuesday night loud.

Go Rapids Go. 🌊