Rapids Complete Weekend Sweep of Dartmouth, Extend Winning Streak Heading Into Playoffs

Momentum continues to build for the Saint John Rapids.

Less than 24 hours after earning an impressive 12-7 victory over the Dartmouth Bandits on home floor at the LBR, the Rapids faced the Bandits again, determined to complete the weekend sweep. Despite facing a motivated Bandits squad looking for redemption, Saint John delivered another outstanding performance winning 14-6, earning consecutive victories and extending its winning streak as the ECJLL playoffs draw ever closer.

After taking care of business at home on Saturday, the Rapids knew Sunday's rematch would present a different challenge. Dartmouth came into the game with a desire to even the weekend series, but Saint John responded exactly the way championship-calibre teams do—with composure, confidence, and contributions throughout the lineup.

The Rapids wasted little time settling into the game, moving the ball crisply and creating quality scoring chances from the opening faceoff. Their transition game once again proved to be a major advantage, as Saint John consistently turned defensive stops into offensive opportunities while forcing the Bandits to play at the Rapids' pace. Ben Rooney was a standout for the Rapids on Sunday, earning 5 goals and 5 assists in a 10-point outing.

The balanced attack that has fueled the Rapids throughout the season was once again on full display. Multiple players found the scoresheet, demonstrating the depth that has become one of Saint John's greatest strengths. Felix Harding continued his pace, scoring a hat trick. Chase Aldridge and Sawyer King each pocketed a pair, with Tripp Livingstone and Morgan MacKinnon each scoring singles. Whether it was timely finishing around the crease, creating opportunities with smart ball movement, or battling for loose balls to extend possessions, every line contributed to the victory.

One of the hallmarks of this Rapids team has been its ability to make adjustments, and that was evident throughout Sunday's contest. After Dartmouth attempted to generate momentum during several stretches of the game, Saint John answered with disciplined defensive play and timely goals to keep control of the contest.

The defensive effort deserves equal recognition. The Rapids communicated well in their own end, limited quality scoring opportunities, and consistently supported their goaltender. Ondrej Hajek was in the crease earning the victory on Saturday, while Ethan Rowbotham stood tall between the pipes on Sunday. Beyond the crease, every player embraced the responsibility of defending as a five-man unit, frustrating Dartmouth's offensive attack and forcing difficult shots throughout much of the afternoon. Adam Brooks, Tyler Weldon, Ayden McCaustlin and Ryan Johnston were stand outs on defence.

Special teams also played an important role once again. The Rapids continued to pressure the ball while playing short-handed and capitalized on opportunities to swing momentum back in their favour. Those details have become a defining characteristic of the club's success throughout the regular season. Nate Williams, Hudson Scaplen and Carson Saunders were tight on the penalty kill while Ian Cassie was solid on face-offs.

The weekend sweep also highlighted the chemistry that continues to grow within the Rapids lineup. Players have developed an outstanding understanding of one another's tendencies, resulting in quick ball movement, effective transition play, and balanced scoring that makes the team difficult to defend. Rather than relying on one or two offensive stars, Saint John continues to receive meaningful contributions from every area of the roster.

With the regular season winding down, the timing of the Rapids' winning streak could not be better. Confidence continues to grow throughout the lineup, the offence is clicking, the defence remains dependable, and the team is playing some of its best lacrosse of the season.

Perhaps most importantly, the Rapids are building momentum exactly when it matters most.

As the playoffs rapidly approach, Saint John has established itself as one of the ECJLL's most complete teams. The club's balanced scoring, disciplined defensive play, strong goaltending, and unwavering work ethic have become the foundation for its success, and this weekend's sweep of Dartmouth served as another reminder that the Rapids will be a formidable opponent when postseason play begins.