QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Having to go through the tie breaker before earning their rematch with the defending Memorial Cup champion, the Shawinigan Cataractes realized what many people thought impossible. But in the end the team coached by Eric Veilleux got the best over the one coached by Gerard Gallant by the score of 7-4.
After both teams scored twice in an exciting opening period, Shawinigan took a two-goal lead in first half of second period. But veteran forward Jonathan Huberdeau stunted the crowd at Centre Bionest, cutting Cataractes lead in half, with a shorthanded goal with less than 5:00 remaining, in middle frame.
Trailing by one goal after forty minutes of play, Saint John opened the third period playing end to end hockey with Shawinigan.
After successfully tying the game 4- 4 in first half of third periods, the Sea Dogs saw the Centre Bionest roof fell on them seeing Shawinigan scored next three goals, ending the defending Memorial Cup champion dream to defend the Memorial Cup. By defeating the QMJHL President Cup champion the Cataractes earns the right to face the London Knights in the final on Sunday.
Saint John opened the scoring first in semifinal against Shawinigan 4:28 into opening period. Putting pressure in Cataractes zone Zack Phillips took a shot using defenseman as a screen no chance for Shawinigan goalie Gabriel Girard.
Shawinigan replied tying the game on a controversial goal at 6:51. Persistent in keeping the puck inside the Sea Dogs offensive territory, Cataractes players fought for the puck in doorstep. After first save by Mathieu Corbeil following shot by Brandon Gormley, puck still lose on Corbeil right side after the initial save, Shawinigan captain Michael Bournival took the loose puck and put it behind Sea Dogs netminder for the crowd favorites first goal.
The Cataractes came back less than three minutes later taking the lead for first time in the game. Coming inside the blue line, the deadline acquisition from Cape Breton defenseman Gormley had all the time to take a shot through traffic, to beat Corbeil for Cataractes second goal.
A penalty to Shawinigan center Frederick Gaudreau gave an excellent opportunity to Saint John to come from behind. A chance Gerard Gallant’s team didn’t miss. The shot by Kevin Gagne through traffic was deflected by Tomas Jurco at 12:35 tying the score two all.
Fans in the Bionest Center could not ask for better first period. Four goals, two by each team, great plays on both sides and great saves by goaltenders gave to fans all they hoped for.
Beside Gormley, Shawinigan forward Anton Zlobin also ended first period with two assists. Eric Veilleux’s team didn’t have chance to play with man advantage in first twenty minutes. On the other side Saint John scored their second goals of the game with a man up.
Shawinigan took a two-goal lead thanks to Loik Poudrier with the help of Maxmilien Le Sieur at even strength regaining the lead 9:14 into second period. Michael Chaput got Shawinigan fourth goals, Bournival and Zlobin got the assists at 10:39 with a man advantage.
Trailing by two goals midway through second period Saint John reduced Shawinigan lead in half with their third goal on shorthanded situation.
Being on his own blue line during his team attempting to kill a penalty to teammates Phillips, Jonathan Huberdeau not just surprised Cataractes goalie Girard somewhere with a shot that went in, but stunted the crowd in Centre Bionest exactly 4:00 after Cataractes took a two goal leads.
Looking for the equalizer Saint John began the third period with end to end action. Later on in period teams became more cautious paying more attention to not commit error that can be costly.
A faceoff won in offensive zone played a key role on the Sea Dogs fourth goal with 9:16 gone in the third period. Winning the faceoff Phillips saw Tomas Jurco come in letting a shot go right from the faceoff circle scoring Saint John tying goal.
Shawinigan came back electrifying the crowd scoring fifth goal. With the puck staying inside Saint John territory the duo of Gormley and Morgan Ellis worked their magic again. Making a great pass to Ellis the Montreal prospect let a shot go that was tips in by Eric Veilleux been on doorstep at 13:14.
Playing desperate hockey for last four minutes of the third period Saint John was unable to get the tying goal seeing their road be stopped by the host team of the tournament.
Chaput’s second goal in the game scored in an empty net put the last nail in Saint John coffin at 19:09. Pierre-Olivier Morin with Shawinigan seventh goal adds the ice on the cake sending Sea Dogs back home for good.
Next game will be Sunday night with the final of 2012 Memorial Cup tournament. London will face Shawinigan in a game that promises lots of action.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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