QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — All the elements were there to have a great seventh game in the only series left to be determined. After saving their lives twice by winning game five, (in Quebec) and six (at home), Shawinigan came back to Quebec with confidence they could win for a third time to stay alive. But after playing a great opening period, the Cataractes left with a sour taste in their mouth being totally dominated in a 9-2 Quebec win.
Quebec captain defenseman Mikael Tam evaluating offensive options from behind his team net Photo by Serge Poulin
In preparation for this game seven, Shawinigan head coach Eric Veilleux talked a lot about the importance of playing strong in the first ten minutes of the game.
The Cataractes began the game putting pressure on Quebec getting two great scoring chances from Loic Poudrier, but Remparts goalie Louis Domingue (who wasn’t at his best in game five and six) stood in front of his net like plywood sheet making the save preventing Shawinigan from scoring the first goal.
“We talked lots about the first ten minutes of the game, we knew Quebec would come out strong. That’s what they did, but when it came time for us to get in a scoring opportunity we were hesitant.” The Cataractes bench boss Veilleux said after his team elimination. “Tonight we seemed to be on our hills.”
Talking about the experience his team would retained from this series, Shawinigan head coach said, “You can’t buy experience, you acquired it, Tonight our players paid heavy price but I’m sure they will all remembered it, and react better next time.”
Reviewing his overall team performance in this quarter-final series, Shawinigan head coach said, “I’m proud of these guys, you have had some of our players who weren’t sure of our real chance in that series, when it was 0-0. But as I said, they took lots of experience and maturity in that series, it was unfortunate, I thought we would have a better outcome.”
The fans, had to wait until the 15:27 of the opening period, before seeing the first goal, scored by Frederick Roy. Roy’s shot taken from fifteen feet inside Shawinigan zone, beat Shawinigan goaltender Gabriel Girard over his right shoulder. Shots on goal were tied 11-11 after the first twenty minutes.
While Shawinigan came out strong to begin the game, Quebec showed their true colors to begin the second period. Quebec got on scoreboard twice in 1:20. Being penalized at the end of first period (Shawinigan defenseman
Shawinigan forward Mikael Bournival expecting a pass from teammates Loic Poudrier behind Quebec net protected by Louis Domingue Photo by Serge Poulin
Being screened, Cataractes netminder didn’t have any chance on Quebec’s first goal in the game. A shot from the blue line by defenseman Martin Lefebvre being tipped in by Mirko Hoefflin 16 seconds into the middle frame.
Quebec took the lead for the first time in the game 1:20 later, when a wrist shot from veteran John Audy-Marchessault, beat Girard on his right side. In fact, Quebec scored four times in the second taking a commanding 5-0 lead. Quebec captain Mikael Tam scored twice to complete to scoring after two third of the game played. Tam first goal has been scored at 5:44, his second, with a man advantage at 17:52.
That was the end of the night for Shawinigan starting netminder Girard, who left the game allowing five goals on 24 shots in 37:52 of play. Alex Dubeau, who came in, in relief, has been beaten four other times on 16 shots playing 22:08.
“We came back doing same good things we did in game one and two,” said Remparts captain Mikael Tam in a louder locker room after the game.
“We used our speed, we put pressure on their defensemen right from the start. I think we get back the momentum we lose since last two games. We didn’t look back we did exactly what we needed to do. When we play this king of hockey it’s very hard for the other team. When we played like we did tonight, whether we play Saint John, Gatineau or Lewiston we will have the chance to win.”
Shawinigan gets on board with first of their two goals in the game coming from former Rimouski defenseman Ryan Kavanagh who took a rebound shot from Tommy Giroux 32 seconds into the third period.
Matthew Brown tipped in a shot from Quebec defenseman Guillaume Rousseau for Quebec sixth goal 6:18 later. Vincent Barnard with on a five-on-three men advantage saw his one-timer beating Dubeau at 12:04. Quebec added another power play goal, 49 seconds later when veteran center Joel Champagne scored his seventh of the playoff.
“We fall in some sort of comfort zone in our last two games against them, and we would like to come out of it,” said veteran Champagne after the game.
“With only two days off before facing their next opponent (Gatineau Olympiques) on Friday we will have to turn the page on Shawinigan and think about the Olympiques tomorrow to be ready for the first game.”
With the score 8-1 Quebec, Shawinigan scored their second goal of the game,
Shawinigan netminder Gabriel Girard trying to see puck coming from the blue line Photo by Serge Poulin
For Quebec head coach Patrick Roy already begins to think about his team next opponent. “ Gatineau plays a different style from ours, and they are bigger than us. So we will have to use our speed against them.”
Asking to review the series against Shawinigan in one word, Quebec coach simply said, “Skating, we used our speed, we put lots of pressure on their defensemen. In fact, all the things we didn’t do in previous two games.”
The next series will see Lewiston MAINEiacs facing Saint John Sea Dogs. By eliminating Drummondville, Gatineau earns the right to face Quebec in the other semi-final.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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