QUEBEC CITY P.Q.— Moncton played good defensive hockey in winning game five, 3-1, against the Rouyn-Noranda. The Huskies left much of their energy back in game four on Friday night in their only victory in this series, in double overtime.
Moncton took a 1-0 lead, scoring on their first power play opportunity. Randy Cameron with his eighth goal of the playoffs opened the scoring at 4:15.
The good news for Rouyn-Noranda fans is that Huskies goaltender Mickael Audette played very strong in the second period making key saves and preventing the Wildcats from adding to their lead. Audette faced eight shots including three good scoring chances. After two periods Audette faced 20 shots. The scored remained 1-0 Moncton after two.
Gabriel Bourque gave a 2-0 lead to the Wildcats only 14 seconds into the third period.
The Huskies lone goal in the game came from the stick of defenseman Steven Delisle who reduced Moncton lead to one goal 2-1 at 4:00 but the Wildcats regained their two goal lead only one minute later with Daniel Pettersson fourth of the playoff.
For Rouyn-Noranda head coach Andre Tourigny, three factors made the difference in favor of the winner of this series.
“For me three factors made the differences, first goaltenders, Nicola Riopel played very well for them, special units, the power play as well as the penalty killing. We weren’t able to score important goals when we needed one with a man advantage and the Wildcats scored important goal on their power play. Third factors were Moncton speed. We have big guys and Moncton is a team with lots of good skaters and they used it to their advantage,” said Tourigny.
Looking for some turning points that made a difference in this series in favor of Moncton the Huskies head coach identified two.
“The overtime loss in game two in Rouyn-Noranda (4-3) and the first period of game number three the first one in Moncton, where we dominated that period 15- 8 in shots on goal, but we came out trailing 4- 2,” added Tourigny.
Goaltenders: Rouyn-Noranda Mickael Audette 27 shots 24 saves Moncton Nicola Riopel 18 shots 17 saves.
Power plays: Rouyn-Noranda 0-4 Moncton 1-3.
Three stars selections first Mon Gabriel Bourque, second Mon Danilel Pattersson and third Brandon Gormley.
QMJHL Semi-Finals are set
Victoriaville Tigres vs. Saint John Sea Dogs
Moncton Wildcats vs. Drummondville Voltigeurs
If nothing changes, both series will begin next Friday in Drummondville where Moncton will play first two games in Drummondville and next three in Moncton due to the distance of more than 750 kilometers.
In the other series Victoriaville will travel to Saint John facing the Sea Dogs for first two games also beginning next Friday.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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