QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — This series between the Halifax Mosseheads and Quebec Remparts will be a real delectable one for fans in both cities but also, for sure, lots of NHL scouts will have chances to evaluate not just players available to next draft, but possibly the next number one pick in 2013 in Nathan MacKinnon.
This series will also be the confrontation between one of the best available prospect in 2012 in Quebec center Mikhail Grigorenko and what appear to be the next number one pick over in 2013 Halifax center Nathan MacKinnon.
Another thing to pay attention to before previewing the next winner in that series will be the format. Due to the distance between the two cities more than 800 kilometers the series will begin in Quebec as it was suppose to be, but next three games will be play in Halifax to come back in Quebec for last two games.
Don’t know if it will affect the final result but for Quebec, the importance to not lose one of first two games in the beginning of that series, is crucial because to have to go to Halifax with the series tie 1-1 playing next three games in Mooseheads home building will certainly not be an ideal task.
If a fans ever has had a chance to pick the series he would like to attend, without a doubt (no offense to other series in the league) but the one between Halifax and Quebec is the one to see.
Now, let’s have a look at what fans in both cities attending this series should expect on both sides.
In goal: after being pulled out of his net by head coach Patrick Roy in last year playoff Quebec veteran goaltender Louis Domingue will have lots to prove in 2011-12 QMJHL playoffs. Ranked as second best goaltender in the league after first round showing a 1.98 goal-against-averages and 0.922 save percentage allowing only 8 goals in four games, the Phoenix Coyotes prospect did the job he had to do in first round.
On the other side Domingue will have to face Halifax young rookie Zachary Fucale. A young 16 year old, who is best goalie in the league with 1.97 goal-against-averages and 0.918 save percentage allowing also 8 goals in first round in four games.
Taking advantage of an injury to 18 year old partner in goal Anthony Terenzo, Fucale’s performance was like a real number one. Question here, Will Domingue be able to repeat his first round performances and contribute to lead his team to next round, or if devils will come to aunt the Quebec veteran?
If Dominic Ducharme as Halifax head coach can have plenty of confidence in his young netminder, Quebec head coach Patrick Roy won’t hesitate to make change if Domingue isn’t as efficient in goal as he was against Drummondville Voltigeurs knowing he can count on excellent backup in Francois Brassard.
On Defense: Both teams allowed same number of goals against after one round. In Halifax Konrad Abeltshauser (1g-2a- 3 pts) is the best offensive defenseman followed by Steve Gillard (1g-1a- 2 pts), Brandon Duke (0g-1a- 1 pts), Trey Lewis (0g-1a- 1 pts) Saywer Hannay and rookie Mitchell Shewfelt complete the Mooseheads defensive unit.
In Quebec: Martin Lefebvre (2b-6a- 8 pts), veteran Vincent Barnard (4g-3a- 7 pts), Ryan Culkin (0g-4a- 4 pts), rookie Philippe Archambault (0g-3a- 3 pts), Marc-Antoine Carrier (0g-2a- 2 pts) and captain Mikael Tam (0g-2a- 2 pts) are the best offensive producers from defensive unit.
Don’t be surprised to see Quebec head coach Roy sending the pair of Tam and Carrier each times MacKinnon will step on the ice. Veteran Vincent Barnard will form a duo with Lefebvre and Culkin and Archambault will be the third pairing to see action in that series.
Offensively: All eyes and attentions will certainly be on Halifax center MacKinnon (6g-2a- 8 pts), Cameron Critchlow (3g-4a- 7 pts) and Alexandre Grenier (1g-5a- 6 pts). Other players like Jonathan Drouin (4g-1a- 5 pts) Martin Frk (4g-1a- 5 pts), Luca Ciampini (0g-3a- 3 pts) and Brent Andrews (1g-1a- 2 pts) will also bring great support offensively. Matthew Boudreau, Brad Cruzner, Travis Randell and Andrew Ryan will get lots of work trying to contain Quebec offense.
On Quebec side: If MacKinnon will be the main guy to stop on Halifax side, Mikhail Grigorenko will be the main attraction for the Remparts. Offensively, the Russian native bring lots to Quebec offense but you can find some who question is defensive awareness, let’s say that he isn’t the first one back in his defensive zone.
Another thing will be interesting to watch for NHL scouts, who will be in the stand will be is implication when the game becomes tough. Is he willing to go first in corner to get to the puck?
When you got a chance to talk with scouts, who got the chance to see Grigorenko played, all will be first to recognize that he got good puck control, high hockey IQ, and a very good puck presence. He protect the puck well has a great reach and excellent puck control, but at the next level, you also often need to be good defensively before getting a regular shift on a great NHL team.
Beside the Russian center, Quebec got lots offensive power. Players on the other team will have to keep eyes on guys like, Frederick Roy (2g-6a- 8 pts), Gabriel Desjardins (4g-2a- 6 pts), Logan Shaw (4g-2a- 6 pts), Anthony Duclair (1g-4a- 5 pts), Alexandre Contois (2g-2a- 4 pts), Jeremie Malouin (3g-1a- 4 pts) and Adam Erne (1g-2a- 3 pts). They are all important contributors to Quebec offense.
Prediction: This series is surely the hardest one to preview the winner considering all the talent regroups on both teams but …. Let’s say Quebec in 7.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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