Ramblers Drop Season Opener 6–1 to Rapids
© Bryan Cote Photography GRAND FALLS, NB — The Amherst Ramblers opened their 2025–26 season on the road Friday night, but the result was far from what they had hoped for. The Grand Falls Rapids struck early and never looked back, handing the Ramblers a 6–1 loss in front of a lively crowd at the E. & P. Sénéchal Centre.
Despite a decent showing in net from Amherst goaltender Hudson Bradley, who faced 48 shots on the night, the Ramblers couldn’t match the offensive pace of the Rapids, who controlled large stretches of the game and capitalized on key momentum swings.
The Rapids opened the scoring midway through the first period when Oliver Plante found the back of the net at 10:54, with help from Loic Gallant. Plante added another just five minutes later, doubling the Grand Falls lead before the Ramblers could settle in.
Amherst had their chances — firing 11 shots on goal in the opening frame — but struggled to create high-danger opportunities or maintain offensive pressure.
Grand Falls continued to pile on early in the second when Nathan Plamondon-Michaud extended the lead to 3–0 at 7:43. Amherst responded with their lone goal of the night — a power-play marker from Owen Aura, assisted by Mark Corbett and Anthony Gaudet at 9:42 — giving the bench a brief spark.
That momentum didn’t last. Less than a minute later, Isaac Allard restored the Rapids’ three-goal cushion, and Nathan Plamondon-Michaud added his second of the night late in the period to make it 5–1.
The third period saw some pushback from the Ramblers, but Grand Falls’ goaltender Adam Lecours stood tall, stopping all 12 shots he faced in the final frame. Declan Kennedy added one more for the Rapids at 19:00 to seal the 6–1 final.