QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — A game between the Quebec Remparts and Chicoutimi Sagueneens, whether it’s in pre-season or in regular season, represents a lot for both organizations. Even if players weren’t the same when the rivalry was at its best, players on each side are excited knowing they will face each other. It always represents a challenge, they hate to lose a game but losing against one another simply isn’t acceptable.
Before facing each other for the first time, Quebec and Chicoutimi already played two exhibition games. Quebec played Rimouski Oceanic twice losing the first game in Rimouski on Saturday, 5-1, winning the second confrontation 7- 2 in Saint-Marie de Beauce on Sunday.
Chicoutimi on the other hand, lost its first two exhibition games, first 6- 2 in Victoriaville on Saturday, and they also lost in front of their fans in Chicoutimi against Baie-Comeau 5- 4 in a shootout.
So if you are in Chicoutimi players’ skates on Thursday night, if you are the one chosen by Sagueneens head coach Marc-Etienne Hubert to play against Quebec, you can’t ask for a better opportunity to break the losing skid and offer to their fans their first win in pre-season game.
Playing Chicoutimi when you wear the Quebec Remparts jersey also represent a great challenge, Remparts GM and head coach Patrick Roy won’t come in Chicoutimi well armed against the arch-rival.
Recently arrived (Sunday night) Russian sensation, Mkhail Grigorenko, will play his first game with his new team. Playing for his National team in Russia in the Ivan Hlinka International Tournament the young center will play with Frederick Roy and 16 year old Adam Erne. Another line will see Micheal McNamme between Anthony Duclair and Nick Sorenson. The new comer Alexandre Contois will have Jeremy Maloin and Carl Leblanc on each side. The possible fourth line will see first Quebec draft pick in 2011 in second round (24th overall) Kurt Etchegary with Patrick Walsh (another first round pick in 2010 14th overall) and veteran Mathieu Lavalle.
On defense, Quebec Remparts’ pairings will be veteran and captain Mikael Tam with newcomer Owen Werthner, Ryan Culkin and Brandon Duke will step on the ice together. The third duo will be whether Philippe Archambault, Mathieu Boily or Martin Lefebvre and Vincent Barnard.
Even if the rivalry isn’t what it had been in the past, a game against Quebec always represents a great challenge for players who wear Sagueneens jersey.
For Sags head coach Marc-Etienne Hubert the two confrontations will be an excellent opportunity to observe his young players facing adversity. A game against Quebec will always be an emotional one with lots of intensity.
Alexandre Lavoie and Maxime Levesque won’t be part of Chicoutimi lineup for first game on Thursday night, injured Etienne Brodeur (groin) and defenseman Gabriel Bourret (shoulder injury) will be sideline for both games.
On the other end, it will be an excellent opportunity for young kid to show to their head coach their true colors.
For rookies Laurent Desbiens, Jeremy Gregoire, Laurent Dauphin, Simon Tremblay and Luke St-Amand it will be their chance to prove to the organization they have their place with the team.
For Desbiens and St-Amand, the game against Quebec will be special since both originated from Quebec. St-Amand grown as Quebec Remparts fans but as soon as Chicoutimi drafted him things never be the same. So the game against Quebec will represent little bit more and they expect to give all they got in that first game.
Both teams will face each other on Friday in Levis.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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