Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Reid on the Rocket: Big third period helps Rocket beat Wildcats
The Rocket improve to 15-31-2-2 on the season, and won their fifth game against the Wildcats this season. P.E.I. currently leads the season series between the two clubs 5-1-0.
Jessyko Bernard had a goal and an assist as Josh Currie and rookie Antoine Venne had a pair of assists each for the Rocket.
After a scoreless first period, the Wildcats took a 1-0 lead with 54 seconds to go in the second period with Marek Hrivik's 21st goal of the season.
Alex Noel tied the game with his sixth of the season 2:23 into the third period.
Herrett gave P.E.I. a 2-1 lead at 9:08 before Tomas Pavelka added a powerplay goal at 14:49.
Rocket's Bernard sealed the deal with an empty-net powerplay goal at 18:32 to give the Rocket a 4-1 lead.
Antoine Bibeau made 20 saves in goal for the Rocket to pick up the win. Roman Will made 24 saves in the loss for Moncton.
The Rocket return home Thursday and Friday night for back-to-back games against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Both games a 7 p.m.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Will, Micallef & Brunelle named 3 stars of the week
Will, the starting goaltender for the Moncton Wildcats, went 1-1 this weekend. In the first of his two games, he made 45 saves in a 1-0 loss to defending Memorial Cup champion Saint John Sea Dogs. On Saturday, Will made 37 saves in a 2-1 win against Baie-Comeau.
Will was named the first star of both games and had a combined save percentage of .976. Micallef, a stud defensemen with the Blanville-Boisbriand Armada is the second-star of the week.
Micallef had a goal and two assists in a 6-5 win against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Wednesday. Friday, he had another goal, this time against the Wildcats. On Saturday against P.E.I. he scored a goal, his third consecutive game doing so. He capped off the week Sunday against Saint John, adding an assist.
Micallef was a plus-4 in those four games. Brunelle, of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles was named third-star of the week.
Brunelle started off the week Tuesday against Baie-Comeau, scoring a goal and adding two assists. He followed up that nice effort with an even more impressive goal and three assists Friday against Acadie-Bathurst.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Reid on the Rocket: Rocket comeback but lose 4-2 to Armada
The Rocket erased a 2-0 second-period deficit to tie the game with two powerplay goals in the third period, but couldn't get the job done. With the loss, the Rocket drop to 14-31-2-2 on the season.
Rocket defenceman Jimmy Oligny said the Rocket played hard but turnovers cost them the game.
"Overall, I think we played well."
After a scoreless first period, the Armada jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Samuel Hodhod and Alex Micallef, powerplay, at 1:16 and 8:26 respectively.
It was Armada's goaltender, Storm Phaneuf, that let the Armada take the lead, said Oligny.
"The puck just wouldn't go in. The goaltender on the other side was making great saves."
Oligny scored his second goal in two games to bring the Rocket within a goal at 5:53. The 18-year-old Rocket alternate captain has three goals so far this season.
It's very unusual, Oligny joked.
"I guess I just shoot the puck more and try and keep that going."
Tomas Pavelka scored his fifth of the season at 11:09 to tie the game.
Picard scored his second of the season to put the Armada back infront at 15:47 before Cedric Paquette scored on the empty net with 15.4 seconds left to seal the deal.
Maxime Lagace made 21 saves in the loss for the Rocket. Phaneuf made 31 saves for second-star honours for the win.
The Rocket travel to Moncton to take on the Wildcats on Tuesday Jan. 31. Gametime 7 p.m.
The Rocket return home Thursday Feb. 2 when they host the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles at 7 p.m.
Video Highlights
Photo by Darrell Kennedy.
nolan@theqspot.ca
Keeping an eye on the Q's Europeans
These players usually go on to play significant roles for their Canadian clubs. This season is no different with six European skaters in the top 30 in QMJHL scoring.
Three of these six skaters are QMJHL rookies, taken in the 2011 import draft.
He was ranked second amongst all North American skaters by the most recent NHL Central Scouting Service (CSS) report and has a four point lead over Halifax’s Nathan MacKinnon in the rookie scoring race. CSS ranks players based on the geography of their current league, not birthplace.
Grigorenko stands a very good chance at becoming the first QMJHL player to make the transition to the NHL as an 18-year-old since Rimouski’s Sidney Crosby made the jump in 2005. This is a very exclusive club, including Crosby, only four 18-year-olds have made the jump from the QMJHL in the past 15 years. These players are: VincentLecavalier, Pierre Marc Bouchard, and Patrice Bergeron.
Undrafted at the 2011 NHL draft and not dominating the way most would expect a 19-year-old European skater too, has dropped his draft stock in 2012. Still, Zlobin’s 31 goals lead all European skaters in the QMJHL this season and thus CSS has him projected as the 128th skater amongst players in North American leagues.
Having played only 35 games, Jurco comes in with the least amount of games among Europeans in the top five. Averaging well over a point per game and having the luxury of playing for a powerhouse Saint John squad, expect Jurco to take over second spot among the top five by season's end. If anyone has the ability to challenge Grigorenko for the European scoring lead this season it will be Jurco. A late birthday delayed Jurco’s draft eligibility until 2011 where he was taken 35th overall in the second-round by the Detroit Red Wings.
Sven Andrighetto, Marek Hrivik and Matej Beran each have 50 points on the season.
Andrighetto leads the three with 23 goals on the season, yet of the three, he’s the lowest ranked by CSS at 186th.
Hrivik and Beran are tied with 19goals each and are likely to be drafted this summer. Beran is ranked 59thamong North American skaters and Hrivik 65th.
Andrighetto leads his club, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, as well. On P.E.I., Beran follows only star Ben Duffy in scoring and Jurco and Hrivik sit third on their respective teams in scoring.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Reid on the Rocket: Rocket pick up 14th win with 3-2 win over Drakkar
The win for the Rocket improves their season record to 14-30-2-2, but remain last overall in the league.
Rocket goaltender Maxime Lagace, who made 23 saves for third-star honours, said the team played great.
"We had a couple of penalties but our penalty kill played well. I think I did what I had to do and players did great so I'm pretty happy with the game."
Jimmy Oligny's second goal of the season opened the scoring at 15:29 of the first period and gave the Rocket the 1-0 lead. Matej Beran and Duffy drew the assists.
On the powerplay, Drakkar's Jonathan Lessard tied the game at one, two minutes later.
In the second period, Victor Provencher gave the Rocket a 2-1 lead with his 16th of the season at 2:43. Duffy and Jessyko Bernard drew the assists.
Duffy's 28th goal of the year gave the Rocket a 3-1 lead at 1:26 on the powerplay. Beran and Oligny drew the assists.
Drakkar's Samuel Carrier went five-hole on Lagace to cut the Rocket lead to one at 16:54.
Lagace said he wasn't too nervous during the last few minutes of the game with his team holding a one-goal lead.
"It was my bad, it was not the best goal. It was just the same job I had all game; just stop the puck. Sure, when there's six guys around you, you don't know where they're going to go but it's still fun."
Drakkar goaltender Philippe Cadorette, who was recently named CHL Vaughn Goaltender of the Week, made 22 saves in the loss.
The Rocket host the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Rocket need to play the same way, said Lagace.
"Not take as many penalties…and I think we should win the game tomorrow night."
The P.E.I. Rocket will be honouring several Holland College teams tomorrow night during The Holland College Hurricanes Night of Champions. Holland College students can purchase a ticket for $5 by presenting their college ID.
nolan@theqspot.ca
Grigorenko, Frk named Top Prospect Game alternate captains
Quebec Remparts super-rookie Mikhail Grigorenko and Halifax Mooseheads player Martin Frk have been named alternate captains for the 2012 Home Hardware NHL Top Prospects game.
Grigorenko, ranked second in the most recent Central Scouting Service rankings, has 60 points in 28 games this season.
Frk was ranked 25th overall in the same rankings and has 11 points in 15 contests, after missing the first half of the season with a head injury.
The top two draft eligible players from the QMJHL will be on opposite sides. Grigorenko will skate with Team Orr, while Frk will be coached by Don Cherry.
Other players from the QMJHL include Victoriaville goaltender Brandon Whitney, Chicoutimi's Charles Hudon and Halifax's Andrew Ryan.
The game takes place Feb. 1 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, B.C., home of the WHL's Kelowna Rockets.
jonathan@theqspot.ca
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Future Watch with Jonathan Dunphy
Jonathan Dunphy will be taking a look at the future of the QMJHL, including NHL Draft Prospects coming out of the Q and prospects for the upcoming QMJHL Draft.
Look for these posts every two weeks!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Cadorette of the Drakkar named Vaughn CHL goaltender of the week
Toronto, Ont. - Baie-Comeau Drakkar rookie goaltender Philippe Cadorette has been named the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Jan. 22, the Canadian Hockey League announced today.
The 16-year-old posted a 2-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.50 and a saver percentage of 0.975.
The St-Hyacinthe, Que., native made 11 saves on Friday night in a 6-1 win over the P.E.I. Rocket. Then, on Sunday, Cadorette recorded his first career QMJHL shutout in just his fourth career start, making 28 saves in a 2-0 win over the Rimouski Oceanic.
Cadorette was a second-round pick by the Drakkar in 2011 QMJHL Entry Draft. So far this season he carries a 3-1-0 record with a 1.89 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .913.
2011-2012 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:
Jan. 16 - Jan. 22: Philippe Cadorette, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Jan. 9 - Jan. 15: Mac Carruth, Portland Winterhawks
Jan. 2 - Jan. 8: Ty Rimmer, Tri-City Americans
Dec. 26 - Jan. 1: Jacob Gervais-Chouinard, Rimouski Oceanic
Dec. 12 - Dec. 18: Christopher Festarini, Niagara IceDogs
Dec. 5 - Dec. 11: Etienne Marcoux, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Nov. 28 - Dec. 4: Joel Vienneau, Sudbury Wolves
Nov. 21 - Nov. 27: Malcom Subban, Belleville Bulls
Nov. 14 - Nov. 20: Calvin Pickard, Seattle Thunderbirds
Nov. 7 - Nov. 13: Roman Will, Moncton Wildcats
Oct. 31 - Nov. 6: Malcolm Subban, Belleville Bulls
Oct. 24 - Oct. 30: Tyler Bunz, Medicine Hat Tigers
Oct. 17 - Oct. 23: Eric Comrie, Tri-City Americans
Oct. 10 - Oct. 16: Patrik Bartosak, Red Deer Rebels
Oct. 3 - Oct. 9: Francois Tremblay, Val-d'Or Foreurs
Sept. 26 - Oct. 2: Jimmy Appleby, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Sept. 21 - Sept. 25: Michael Houser, London Knights
nolan@theqspot.ca
Monday, January 23, 2012
O'Brien, Cadorette and Gourde named Telus three stars of the week
This week's first-star is Acadie-Bathurst Titan right-winger Zach O'Brien. The 19-year-old St. John's, N.L., native finished the week with five goals and seven points in two games.
On Friday, O'Brien had four goals and added an assist in a 7-4 win over the Moncton Wildcats. In that game he scored his 40th goal of the season and became the first player this season to hit the 40-goal-mark plateau.
On Sunday, he had a goal and an assist against the Saint John Sea Dogs in a 5-2 loss.
O'Brien has 42 goals and 84 points this season through 47 games and currently sits second-overall in league scoring.
This week's second-star is Baie-Comeau Drakkar rookie netminder, Philippe Cadorette. The 16-year-old started in two games over the weekend posting a 2-0 record and also posted his first career shutout.
He got the start Friday night against the P.E.I. Rocket where he made 11 saves.
On Sunday against the Rimouski Oceanic, Cadorette started in his fourth QMJHL game and made 28 saves for the shutout in a 2-0 win.
This week's third-star of the week is Victoriaville Tigres forward Yanni Gourde. The 20-year-old currently leads the league in scoring with 27 goals and 86 points in 48 points. Gourde finished the week with two goals and five points in two games.
Gourde had a goal and three assists in Friday's 5-4 win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Gourde scored the game-winning goal.
On Sunday, Gourde scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over the P.E.I. Rocket.
QMJHL action continues Tuesday night with three games on the schedule.
nolan@theqspot.ca
Whos Hot - Whos Not: January 16th -22nd
“A medal’s a medal” says Gormley
Gormley trade helps solidify Shawinigan’s Memorial Cup chances
Brandon Gormley expected a trade, so when it happened it wasn’t a surprise.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Saulnier extends his streak to 11
Eleven.
That’s how many games Alex Saulnier pushed his point streak to Sunday afternoon in Cape Breton.
Saulniers’ Moncton Wildcats defeated the Wildcats 4-1 in a Sunday matinee.
Saulnier has 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in those 11 games, vaulting into top 5 in QMJHL scoring with 64 points in 41 games.
Philippe Trudeau made 31 saves for the win. Roman Will absorbed the loss, stopping 29 shots.
Other scores from around the league:
Saint John 5, Acadie-Bathurst 2
Victoriaville 2, P.E.I. 1.
Baie-Comeau 2, Rimouski 0
Blainville-Boisbriand 4, Drummondville 3 (SO)
Rouyn-Noranda 9, Val-d'Or 3
Frk finding success in 2012 despite Moosehead struggles
The Halifax Mooseheads struggles in 2012 continued this weekend with losses to both Cape Breton and Saint John.
Friday night at the Metro Center, Cape Breton capitalized on their chances to beat the Mooseheads 4-3 in a game where Halifax outshot their opponents 42-27.
Then Saturday, in Saint John, the Mooseheads were able to keep up with the Sea Dogs until a three goal onslaught in just over three and a half minutes in the third period, ended any ideas of a Halifax victory. However, not all is dark in Moose Country. Despite a slow start, Martin Frk has taken his game to a new level to start 2012.
Game Previews: January 22nd
SAINT JOHN AT BATHURST: Saint John comes into the game having won two straight and six of their last 10. They should not take Bathurst lightly, especially with the league’s leading scorer, Zach O’Brien on the team. Oh, and Bathurst has a streak of their own: four straight wins.
Players to Watch
Saint John: Charlie Coyle- Since joining the Sea Dogs, Coyle has four goals in three games-an impressive start for any rookie.
Bathurst: Zach O’Brien- Coming off an impressive four-goal performance against Moncton, should be interesting to see what he can accomplish against their other New Brunsiwick counterpart.
MONCTON AT CAPE BRETON: Moncton will be looking to get back on track against Cape Breton. Both teams have only four regulation wins in their last 10 games.
Interesting Fact
Both teams traded their team Captains to the Memorial Cup host Shawinigan Cataractes. Even more interesting is that both players (Ellis & Gormley) hail from P.E.I.
RIMOUSKI AT BAIE-COMEAU: Rimouski has won four straight games, and seven out of their last 10, the second best streak in the league. It’s safe to say that David Rose and the Drakkar will have their hands full in this one.
Players to Watch
Rimouski-Jerome Gauthier-Leduc- The Oceanic’s stud defensemen has had another solid year. Once thought to be surely dealt, stayed in Rimouski, and their fans have been beyond happy.
Baie-Comeau- Jonathan Lessard- To say that Lessard is a pure goal scorer is an understatement. Lessard is second in team goal scoring, but only tenth in overall points.
DRUMMONDVILLE AT BLAINVILLE-BOISBRIAND: The Surprising Armada are tops in their division, 10 points ahead of Drummondville. While it’s unlikely the Voltigeurs catch up to the Armada, you can bet this will be a chippy affair.
Players to Watch
Drummondville-Alexandre Veronneau- There was a lot of questions when Veronneau was acquired, and the questions continue. He has a Goals Against Average greater than six with the Volts. Should be interesting to see how many he lets in tonight.
Blainville-Boisbriand-Etienne Marcoux- The 18-year-old goalie has been one of the best this season, unlike Veronneau. Marcoux is top 10 in every major category for goaltenders this season.
VAL-D’OR AT ROUYN-NORANDA: Val-d’Or have won three straight, while their opponent has lost fourstraight. With Val-d’Or battling for first in the West, you can bet they’ll be hungry.
Stat of the Game
Foreurs’ player Mathieu Guertin is second in the league in minor penalties taken, with 38.
P.E.I AT VICTORIAVILLE: PEI wraps up its latest swing through Quebec hoping for a win. It has been an incredibly rough trip for the Rocket, who have been outscored 15-2 so far. A win may be too much to ask of the Rocket, as Victoriaville is on a four-game winning streak.
Players to Watch
P.E.I. - Ben Duffy- Earlier this season Duffy broke the franchise’s all-time points record. Duffy has been one of the lone bright spots for P.E.I. this year
Victoriaville- Matthew Hobbs- Hobbs, traded from PEI to Victoriaville last month, has been one of the Tigres' best defensemen.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Sea Dogs get first sell out of season; down Halifax 7-3
The Saint John Sea Dogs were looking to continue there winning ways versus the Halifax Mooseheads at Harbour Station on Saturday Night.
The Mooseheads took the early lead on the home town Dogs, when Ashley took an amazing pass from Marty Frk and made no mistake potting the puck past the Sea Dogs net minder.
The sea dogs did not wait long to get on the board however, when Coyle scored his third of the year off a pass from Zack Phillips. The game was tied at one.
Less than a minute latter it was Coyle again, as he made no mistake on the pass from the Sea Dog captain Jonathan Huberdeau, making it 2-1 Saint John to end the first period.
The Sea Dogs would add to their lead in the second period when Danick Gauthier took a great pass from Grant West on a 2-on-1 play. Gauthier scored his 34th of the year to make it 3-1 Saint John.
The Sea Dogs would take a penalty and it would end up coasting the defending Memorial Cup Champions, as Frk scored to make it 3-2, Shots were 28-23 Sea Dogs after two periods.
The third period did not start off well for Saint John as Halifax scored 45 seconds in on a choppy play in front of the net. They got more than three shots away before one found the back of the net, tying the game at 3-3.
However 23 seconds later, the Sea Dogs Scored again to regain their one goal lead when Stephen MacAuley took an amazing feed from Tomas Jurco at 1:08.
The Dogs then went up by two as Jurco found the back of the net after being robbed three times in the second period. It was his 22nd of the year assisted by Gauthier.
Just seconds later it appeared that the Dogs made it 6-3. However, it was waived off by the refs. They did not disclose a reason nor was the play reviewed. It did not matter as the Sea Dogs made it 6-3 when Adien Kelly blasted one by the Heard's netminder with 12:22 remaining in the third period. They did review this one, and the goal was good.
The Halifax meltdown continued just over a minute latter when Jurco got his second of the night to make it 7-3 Saint John and chased the Halifax starting goalie from the net.
With 7:45 left in the final frame, Halifax took a penalty for hooking; giving the worst QMJHL powerplay another chance. The Sea Dogs then took a questionable tripping call 46 seconds later making way for some 4-on-4 action.
The Moose would then take another penalty for checking from behind at 18:14; but once again Saint John's special teams could not find the back of the net and the dogs would win the game 7-3 in front of 6,408 fans.
Looking ahead: The Sea Dogs will play tomorrow afternoon in Bathurst, Game time is 3 p.m. at the KC Irving Center.
Reid on the Rocket: Sagueneens blast Rocket
After holding a 1-0 lead after the first period, the Sagueneens scored five times in the second and added three more in the third period.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (2-3) led the way for Chicoutimi with five points.
Ben Duffy had the lone goal for the Rocket.
The loss for the Rocket drops them to a season record of 13-29-2-2.
Pageau opened the scoring in the first period at 14:58 to give Chicoutimi the 1-0 lead.
In the second period, Chicoutimi struck 20 seconds in with a goal from Steve Lebel to give the Sagueneens a 2-0 lead. Charles Hudon scored on the powerplay at 7:18 to make it a 3-0 game. Jeremy Gregoire, Charles Hudon and Guillaume Asselin, powerplay, added goals for Chicoutimi to increase the lead to 6-0.
Duffy's 26th of the year put the Rocket on the board at 18:58.
The scoring continued in the third period. Etienne Brodeur gave Chicoutimi a 7-1 lead before Lebel scored shorthanded at 12:26 to make it 8-1. Pageau capped off the scoring with a powerplay goal at 15:13.
Chicoutimi used the powerplay to their advantage, going 3-for-6 on the night, The Rocket on the other hand were 0-for-3 on the powerplay.
Maxime Lagace made 38 saves in goal for the Rocket. Christopher Gibson picked up the win for the Sagueneens making 21 saves.
The Rocket travel to Victoriaville Sunday afternoon to battle the former captain, Matt Hobbs and the Tigres. Gametime 5 p.m. EST.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Reid on the Rocket: Penalties kill Rocket in loss to Drakkar
The Drakkar scored five times in the third period, breaking a 1-1 tie.
Drakkar forwards Jonathan Lessard and David Rose took advantage of a five-minute major penalty by Rocket defenceman Jimmy Oligny. Oligny was assessed a game misconduct for hitting from behind.
The loss for P.E.I. drops them to a 13-28-2-2 season record.
The Rocket opened the scoring in the first period with Deverick Ottereyes' first career QMJHL goal at 6:18 but the lead didn't last long until Robbie Graham tied the game for Baie-Comeau at 9:59.
After a scoreless second period, Lessard and Rose scored on the powerplay to give the Drakkar a 3-1 lead. Goals were then followed by Tomas Filippi, Gabirel Verpaelst and Rose in a span of 1:57.
Antoine Bibeau made 35 saves in the loss for the Rocket. Drakkar netminder, Philippe Cadorette made 12 saves for the win.
The Drakkar were 2-for-10 on the powerplay, as the Rocket were 0-for-1.
The Rocket will travel to Chicoutimi on Saturday to battle the Sagueneens. Gametime 5 p.m. EST.
nolan@theqspot.ca
Carnevale joins Shawinigan
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Gormley enjoying change of scenery
Brandon Gormley couldn't be happier and looks forward to competing in the Memorial Cup this year with the Shawinigan Cataractes.
The 19-year-old defenceman from Murray River, P.E.I. was dealt to the Cataractes from the Moncton Wildcats for six draft picks and Michael Matheson on the final day of the QMJHL trading period.
Gormley had just returned home from competing with Team Canada in the World Junior Champions in Calgary, Alta., winning a bronze medal. He was also named the tournament's top defenceman after finishing with three goals and six points in as many games.
The experience at the world juniors was unbelievable, he said.
"As a kid you grow up dreaming of playing in it and for it to finally come after years of not making the team…it was definitely worth the wait. It was a lot of fun and an experience I'll never forget."
Just a few days after the tournament had ended, Gormley was a member of the Cataractes.
The trade was a group decision, said Gormley.
"We thought it was best for my hockey career going forward and best for Moncton too. That's the cycle of junior hockey…I'm pretty thrilled to be here and part of this team."
Before his departure from Moncton, Gormley had 10 goals and 27 points in 26 games this season.
Prior to the Cataractes acquiring Gormley, they acquired fellow Prince Edward Island native Morgan Ellis from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
Gormley found out about Ellis being traded while he was at the world juniors, he said.
"It was definitely in the back of my mind, if I did get traded there then I'd figured we'd be playing together."
Ellis is one of the top players in the league, said Gormley.
"It's pretty easy to play with him out there. He's a great guy, we communicate really well…I couldn't be happier."
Gormley knew Ellis from growing up in P.E.I., he said.
"That's the good part about coming here is playing with him. He's made the transition for me really easy."
Gormley and Ellis made their final stop to P.E.I. for the season, and possibly their junior career, on Friday Jan. 13 in an 8-2 win over the P.E.I. Rocket.
Gormley had two assists, as Ellis had a goal and an assist.
The Shawinigan Cataractes are this year's hosts for the Memorial Cup Championship. Gormley said it's a very exciting tournament.
"To get another crack at that is going to be good. Were all looking forward to it."
This will be Gormley's second Memorial Cup tournament as he helped lead Moncton to the tournament back in 2010 in Brandon, Man., but the team went 0-3 and was eliminated from the tournament.
So far in three games with the Cataractes, Gormley has two assists and a plus-five rating. The Cataractes are back in action on Friday Jan. 20 against the Quebec Remparts in Quebec.
Photo courtesy of The Guardian.
nolan@theqspot.ca
Alex Beauregard reportedly diagnosed with thyroid cancer
Chicoutimi Saguenéens winger Alexandre Beauregard reportedly has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
Chicoutimi's medical staff noticed a lump on the thyroid gland of Beauregard, 20, and then referred him to a specialist.
"Alex will soon be going home to Montreal to be operated on. The duration of his absence has yet to be determined". Remarked Francois Savard, the team's physician.
Beauregard, a member of the Memorial Cup champion Saint John Sea Dogs last year, has every intention of coming back to play, and to help Chicoutimi to a berth in the Memorial Cup.
"This news came as quite a shock" said Beauregard "Though, I don't think this is the end of the world. My goal is to return in order to help the team during the playoffs"
Not only has this affected Beauregard and his Saguenéens teammates, but fans from Chicoutimi, as well as his former team in Saint John have shown an outcry of support. Beauregard has been a fan favorite in both cities. Chicoutimi fans have signed a get-well card for him, and there has been a lot of chatter that Saint John would do something similar.
Beauregard has 14 points and 90 penalty minutes in 27 games for Chicoutimi.
Learning languages key part of junior hockey
Rocket forward Alex Gallant is escorted to the penalty box after a fight in a recent 7-3 loss to the Saint John Sea Dogs in Charlottetown. |
The Decline of the QMJHL
Button | ISS | |
QMJHL | 1 | 1 |
OHL | 11 | 11 |
WHL | 6 | 6 |
Euro | 9 | 6 |
US | 3 | 6 |
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings Announced
Rank | Team (Record) | Last Week Rank | Number of Weeks Ranked |
1 | Tri-City Americans (34-10-0-0) | 1 | 14 |
2 | London Knights (32-9-0-1) | 2 | 16 |
3 | Shawinigan Cataractes (32-10-2-2) | 6 | 15 |
4 | Kamloops Blazers (31-10-1-2) | 7 | 8 |
5 | Plymouth Whalers (30-10-2-1) | 3 | 10 |
6 | Saint John Sea Dogs (32-13-0-2) | 5 | 17 |
7 | Quebec Remparts (29-9-4-2) | 4 | 14 |
8 | Portland Winterhawks (30-12-2-1) | - | 3 |
9 | Edmonton Oil Kings (29-11-1-4) | 8 | 5 |
10 | Kitchener Rangers (28-12-1-0) | 9 | 6 |
Honourable Mention: | |||
Ottawa 67's (26-11-4-1) | 10 | 4 | |
Victoriaville Tigres (29-15-0-2) | - | 12 | |
Niagara IceDogs (26-13-0-3) | - | 1 |