HALIFAX NS- Halifax will head to Centre Henry-Leonard in Baie-Comeau with a 2-0 series lead over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
The first two games of this series, held in front of a packed Scotiabank Centre saw all of the intensity that fans would expect from this rivalry. Baie-Comeau showed Halifax that they can stick with them despite entering the series as the 13th seed. Game one saw the Drakkar open the scoring on a goal by Xavier Bouchard before Halifax countered with three unanswered goals on route to a 5-2 victory.
The Three Stars of game 1 were:
1.) Max Fortier- 2 goals
2.) Alexis Gravel- 36 saves
3.) Xavier Parent- 1 goal, 1 assist
Game 2 saw Baie-Comeau playing with a hint of desperation as they tried to even up the series at 1-1 heading back home. Despite tying the game at 3 in the third thanks to Ivan Chekovich's second goal of these young playoffs, BO Groulx scored the game winning goal past Francis Leclerc, before Xavier Parent sealed the 5-3 Mooseheads victory
The Three Stars of game 2 were:
1.) Joel Bishop- 1 goal, 2 assists
2.) Filip Zadina- 1 goal, 1 assist
3.) BO Groulx- 1 goal
Positive takeaways from this series are that rookies Xavier Parent (2 goals 1 assist) and Justin Barron (1 assist) have looked great as has captain Max Fortier, and goaltender Alex Gravel seems to have returned to his playoff form making some stellar saves and posting a 2-0 record with a 2.83 goals against average and a save percentage of 0.924 percent.
The Mooseheads will look to take a 3-0 series stranglehold in front of a hostile crowd of Drakkar faithful at Centre Henry Leonard at 8:30 AT tomorrow, with game 4 going on Wednesday night at 8:30. If necessary game 5, will be played on Friday. Go Moose Go!
Monday 26 March 2018
Sunday 18 March 2018
2018 QMJHLPLAYOFFS- First Round Predictions
Hello Everyone, I have been away from this blog for sometime now but I am bringing it back in time for the 2018 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Playoffs. The quest for the President Cup is set to begin tonight. Here are my predictions for the first round:
Blainville Boisbriand Armada (1) vs. Val D'or Foreurs (16)- BLB in four games.
The powerhouse Armada will prove to much for the Val D'or Foreurs who have been struggling this season after many competitive years.
Acadie-Bathurst Titan (2) vs. Chicoutimi Sagueneens (16)- AB in four games.
The Titan enter the playoffs as the Maritimes Division champions and have been on a roll lately. It will prove to be too much for the rebuilding Sags.
Rimouski Oceanic (3) vs. Moncton Wildcats (14)- RIM in six games.
The Moncton Wildcats could come out on top of this one in the first potential upset of the postseason but in my opinion they will scare the Oceanic but not come out the winner of the series.
Halifax Mooseheads (4) vs. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (13)- HFX in six games.
This will obviously be a series I pay the most attention to. Mooseheads captain Maxime Fortier will start his final post-season run in almost Hollywood fashion squaring off against his younger brother Gabriel. Goaltending and defence are big question marks on either side of this series. The Drakkar will have fourth year netminder Francis Leclerc in net. While the Mooseheads will counter with second year tender Alex Gravel. The two goalies do not have much playoff experience with Leclerc appearing in five games over two post-seasons with the Blainville Boisbriand Armada, and Gravel appearing in a 6 game defeat to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in 2017. Neither goalie has had a stellar season, but Gravel has been the hotter goalie down the stretch. The offense of Filip Zadina, Raphael Lavoie, and Maxime Fortier will need to be top notch and the Mooseheads must be undisciplined to advance.
Drummondville Voltigeurs (5) vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (12) DRU in five games.
Dominique Ducharme has had the Voltigeurs playing some inspired hockey this season. I expect that to continue in a clash with the Eagles.
Victoriaville Tigres (6) vs Gatineau Olympiques (11)- VIC in five games.
The Tigres have been the hottest team in the league in the last month of the season. Admittedly, Gatineau is a higher seed than I expected but I see the Tigres having no problem getting past them.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (7) vs Sherbrooke Phoenix (10)- SHE in six.
In an upset, the Phoenix will skate by the Huskies.
Quebec Remparts (8) vs Charlottetown Islanders (9)-CHA in seven.
The QMJHL Cinderella story has been that of the 2017-2018 Charlottetown Islanders. Jim Hulton has had the team playing a hard-working style and that work ethic will just be enough to get Charlottetown past the Remparts.
Blainville Boisbriand Armada (1) vs. Val D'or Foreurs (16)- BLB in four games.
The powerhouse Armada will prove to much for the Val D'or Foreurs who have been struggling this season after many competitive years.
Acadie-Bathurst Titan (2) vs. Chicoutimi Sagueneens (16)- AB in four games.
The Titan enter the playoffs as the Maritimes Division champions and have been on a roll lately. It will prove to be too much for the rebuilding Sags.
Rimouski Oceanic (3) vs. Moncton Wildcats (14)- RIM in six games.
The Moncton Wildcats could come out on top of this one in the first potential upset of the postseason but in my opinion they will scare the Oceanic but not come out the winner of the series.
Halifax Mooseheads (4) vs. Baie-Comeau Drakkar (13)- HFX in six games.
This will obviously be a series I pay the most attention to. Mooseheads captain Maxime Fortier will start his final post-season run in almost Hollywood fashion squaring off against his younger brother Gabriel. Goaltending and defence are big question marks on either side of this series. The Drakkar will have fourth year netminder Francis Leclerc in net. While the Mooseheads will counter with second year tender Alex Gravel. The two goalies do not have much playoff experience with Leclerc appearing in five games over two post-seasons with the Blainville Boisbriand Armada, and Gravel appearing in a 6 game defeat to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in 2017. Neither goalie has had a stellar season, but Gravel has been the hotter goalie down the stretch. The offense of Filip Zadina, Raphael Lavoie, and Maxime Fortier will need to be top notch and the Mooseheads must be undisciplined to advance.
Drummondville Voltigeurs (5) vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (12) DRU in five games.
Dominique Ducharme has had the Voltigeurs playing some inspired hockey this season. I expect that to continue in a clash with the Eagles.
Victoriaville Tigres (6) vs Gatineau Olympiques (11)- VIC in five games.
The Tigres have been the hottest team in the league in the last month of the season. Admittedly, Gatineau is a higher seed than I expected but I see the Tigres having no problem getting past them.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (7) vs Sherbrooke Phoenix (10)- SHE in six.
In an upset, the Phoenix will skate by the Huskies.
Quebec Remparts (8) vs Charlottetown Islanders (9)-CHA in seven.
The QMJHL Cinderella story has been that of the 2017-2018 Charlottetown Islanders. Jim Hulton has had the team playing a hard-working style and that work ethic will just be enough to get Charlottetown past the Remparts.
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