QUEBEC CITY , P.Q. —In the second semifinal, the Rimouski Oceanic will face off against the Halifax Mooseheads in a 2-3-2 format due to the distance between the two cities exceeding 800 kilometers.
Not supposed to take part of 2011-12 QMJHL playoffs Rimouski swept the Val-d’Or Foreurs in first round before needing seven games to earn the right to be part of what most call the four aces eliminating Blainville-Boisbriand in quaterfinal.
Beginning their 2011-12 playoffs Halifax swept their first opponent Cape Breton in four games. In quarterfinal not many experts gave chances to the team coach by Dominic Ducharme to go trough Quebec even less after losing first three games. But at the end Halifax wins quarterfinal in seven games.
Believing in themselves even after losing first two games in Quebec and first of next three in Metro centre, the Mooseheads upheld their 0-3 deficit by winning first game in game three of their series before tying the quarterfinal series 3-3 earning the right to play game seven. Trailing by one (0-1) in first period and (1-3) middle of second periods of game seven, Halifax came from behind to finally win 5- 4 in overtime, being only the fourth teams in the history of QMJHL to win a series after trailing 0-3. The last time a team had been successful to come from behind like that was 11 years ago when Cape Breton wins their series in seven games over Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
Now, let’s have a deeper look on both teams in presence to get a better view of what we should expect in that second semifinal.
In goal, If Ducharme won’t hesitate as far as to whom he will begins the series with Zachary Fucale. Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil isn’t sure if he will begin with Jacob Gervais-Chouinard or Carl Hzjan. Since Gervais-Chouinard saw most of the action don’t be surprise if Oceanic head coach Beausoleil send Gervais-Chouinard.
Statistically speaking ranked as third best netminder the young 16 years old Fucale showed better statistics before the series with a goal-against-average of 2.38 and save percentage 0.917.
On Rimouski side, ranked as the eighth best goalie Jacob Gervais-Chouinard is the one who saw most of the action since the series began. Sowing a goal-against-average of 3.47 and 0.875 save percentage don’t be surprise if Oceanic head coach Beausoleil send Hozjan if Gervais-Chouinard doesn’t answer expectations.
Defensively, Led by Jerome Gauthier-Leduc 12 points in 11 games (5g-7a) ranked as best offensive defenseman since the series began, Rimouski seems getting an edge. As defensive partner Jean-Philippe Mathieu 7 points in 11 games (0g-7a), Pier-Luc Pelletier 3 points in 11 games (1g-2a), Casey Babineau 3 points in 11 games (0g-3a), Etienne Boutet 3 points in 11 games (0g-3a) and Dale Deon 0 points in 2 games the Oceanic can count on great defensive unit.
In Halifax, having played in almost all critical situations against Quebec, Konrad Abeltshauser 10 points in 9 games (3g-7a) is the best offensive defenseman ranked as fifth best. Steve Gillard is Halifax second best offensive defenseman with 4 points in 11 games (1g-3a). Trey Lewis 2 points in 11 games (1g-1a), Brandon Duke 2 points in 11 games (0g-2a), Austyn Hardie 2 points in 11 games (0g-2a) and Sawyer Hannay 0 points in 11 games completes Mooseheads defensive unit.
If Rimouski seemed to have a slight edge defensively the offensive battle promise to offer interesting things.
As Rimouski head coach Beausoleil will be able to count on Alexandre Mallet 16 points in 11 games (7g-9a), Alex Belzile 16 points in 11 games (5g-11a), Peter Trainor 12 points in 11 games (8g-4a), Petr Straka 8 points in 11 games (4g-4a), Jean-Francois Plante 7 points in 11 games (3g-4a) and Scott Oke 6 points in 11 games (4g-2a). Francis Beauvillier, Alexandre Tanguay and Charles-Erik Legare complete the offensive force for the Oceanic.
In Halifax, two 16 years old rookie took matters in their own hands offensively. Nathan MacKinnon 21 points in 11 games (11g-10a) and Jonathan Drouin 17 points (8g-9a) they are followed by captain Cameron Critchlow 14 points in 11 games, Alexandre Grenier 11 points in 11 games (2g-9a), Martin Frk 10 points in 11 games 3g-7a). Matthew Boudreau 4 points in 11 games (2g-2a), Darcy Ashley 4 points in 7 games (3g-4a), Brent Andrews 3 points in 11 games (1g-2a), Travis Randell (3 points (1g-2a) and Luca Ciampini 3 points in 11 games (0g-3a) completes Mooseheads offensive.
Prediction: Since goaltending is an important part of success in playoff and Halifax got an edge offensively, I think Halifax will prevail at the end in six games.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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