Sea Dogs take Game 1, 4-1, over Sags

SAINT JOHN – Stanislav Galiev’s goal just over two minutes into the third period proved to be the game winner, as the Saint John Sea Dogs defeated Chicoutimi, 4-1, in Game 1 of the QMJHL President’s Cup semi-final.

Pierre Durepos, Jonathan Huberdeau and Danick Gauthier also scored, as Saint John improved its perfect post-season record to 9-0.

Sags’ defenceman Mathieu Gagnon opened the scoring six minutes into the second on a long shot from the left point that appeared to hit Saint John’s Ian Saab and deflected into the net.

Saint John tied it on a similar long shot from Durepos at the right point, making it 1-1 after two periods.

Galiev and Huberdeau scored 1:21 apart early in the third to break open a tie game.

Gauthier rounded out the scoring just past the ten minute mark of the third period.

Saint John now carries a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 Sunday afternoon.         

Catch all the action LIVE on News 88.9 beginning at 2:45 p.m.

For a full game recap and Sea Dog highlights, go to:

http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/seadogs/2012/04/21/sea-dogs-beat-sagueneens-in-game-one/

Les Mooseheads forcent la tenue d'un 6ième match

Pour un deuxième match d’affilé, les Remparts avaient la chance d’envoyer les Mooseheads en vacances pour de bon. Mais pour une 5ième fois en autant de rencontres, les hommes de Dominique Ducharme ont marqué le 1er but du match et en ont profité pour se diriger vers une victoire de 3-2 sur les Diables Rouges, vendredi soir, au Metro Center de Halifax pour forcer la tenue d’un 6ième match qui aura lieu lundi soir au Colisée Pepsi de Québec.

Le jeune prodige des Mooseheads, Nathan Mackinnon, a encore une fois connu un fort match. Il a marqué le but gagnant sur une savante passe de Jonathan Drouin au 3ième tiers et a en plus récolté une mention d’aide. Jusqu’à maintenant, en 9 rencontres en séries éliminatoires, l’attaquant natif de Dartmouth a marqué un impressionnant total de 10 buts et a en plus amassé 5 passes pour un total 15 points. Il a de plus maintenu un différentiel de +9. C’est tout simplement exceptionnel. Surtout qu’il n’est âgé que de 16 ans! De l’autre côté, Mikhail Grigorenko, son rival, si on peut l’appeler ainsi, a connu un autre match difficile. Il a trop souvent été invisible lors de ses présences sur la patinoire. Il a tout de même terminé le match avec une récolté de 1 point. Une passe qu’il a récolé sur le but de Gabriel Desjardins en 3e période.

Cameron Critchlow 5ième, Trey Lewis 1er et Nathan Mackinnon 10ième ont trouvé le fond du filet pour les Mooseheads. Martin Lefebvre 4ième et Gabriel Desjardins, ex-Orignaux, 7ième ont riposté pourQuébec. Halifax a dominé 39-26 au chapitre des tirs au but. Louis Domingue a connu un départ fort acceptable stoppant 36 rondelles. De l’autre côté, Zachary Fucale a encore une fois, je me répète, été incroyable. Il a d’ailleurs volé Adam Erne en 1ière période avec la jambière droite. Il a réalisé 24 arrêts.

Selon Patrick Roy, les Mooseheads méritaient la victoire. «Ils ont bien joué ce soir, ils méritaient assurément la victoire. Ils ont été plus combatifs que nous, ils ont gagné les batails le long des rampes et ils enont profité.» a-t-il affirmé après la rencontre.

9664 spectateurs ont assisté à cet excellent duel. Il s’agit de la 3ième meilleure assistance de l’histoire des Mooseheads au Metro Center. Les 9 & 10 Mai 2005, 10 596 spectateurs avaient assisté aux deux visites de Sidney Crosby alors que celui-ci évoluait à l’époque avec l’Océanic de Rimouski.

Donc, avec cette victoire, un match 6 sera au minimum nécessaire dans cette série pour déclarer un vainqueur. Il aura lieu lundi, 16 Avril, au Colisée Pepsi de Québec. Le match débutera dès 19h (heure de l’Est). Si les Mooseheads parviennent à l’emporter, le match ultime aura lieu immédiatement le lendemain, même heure, même place.

Centreville goalie seeks gold at worlds

By Patrick Moore
Special to the Kings County Advertiser
NovaNewsNow.com
TQS Contributor

Brandon Whitney hopes to take home gold from the world under 18 tournament in the Czech Republic after a disappointing playoff appearance.

The Centreville native said he is excited to play for Canada.

"It's my first time to Europe. Looking forward to the tournament. It's an honour to play for Canada and I expect it to be fun."

Whitney played in three playoff games for the Victoriaville Tigres, giving up 12 goals in the short series.

The Tigres were considered one of the top contenders in the QMJHL playoffs, but they fell very short of a championship or a spot in the Memorial Cup after the 13th place Baie-Comeau Drakkar eliminated the Tigres in four games in the opening round.

"It was a big surprise. We really didn't give our all this year. Hopefully next year will be a better run."

In the 36 games Whitney played in this season for the Tigres, he has 22 wins, four losses and four overtime losses.

At least one of Whitney’s opponents is not surprised to see he got a spot on Team Canada.

“He’s a big kid that covers a lot of the net. He has very good work ethic and deserves that spot on the U-18s,” said P.E.I. Rocket forward Ben Duffy.

Tigres manager Jérôme Mésonéro said he hopes international experience will help Whitney play more consistently. He said it was inconsistency that eliminated the Tigres early in the playoffs.

“Our goaltenders failed in the first round, I don’t want to say that. But next year will be important. He needs to be more consistent next year. Hopefully we play better next year.”

Mésonéro also said this tournament will help Whitney going into his draft year.
“The main thing is that it’s for him, it’s his draft season. He worked hard all season, he had a good season.”

Whitney, who is ranked second for North American goalies, isn’t worried about the draft.

"I'm not really thinking about the NHL Draft right now. I still have a few weeks left of hockey, maybe. I will think about it after we're done."

Sea Dogs sweep Drakkar, reach semi-finals for third straight year

The Saint John Sea Dogs are headed to the QMJHL President’s Cup semi-finals for the third straight year following a 5-3 victory over Baie-Comeau.

With the win, the Sea Dogs sweep the series.

Jonathan Huberdeau scored the eventual game winner in the second period and added an empty netter.

Ryan Tesink also scored twice, while Charlie Coyle added a goal.

With Saint John down 1-0 in the first, Coyle tied it up on a rare shorthanded penalty shot, decking to the forehand on young Baie-Comeau netminder Philippe Cadorette, making the game 1-1 after one period.

Tesink scored twice in a six minute stretch in the second to give Saint John a 3-1 advantage.

Huberdeau snapped home a power play goal with under eight minutes left in the middle frame and Saint John led 4-2 after two.

The captain iced the Sea Dogs’ sweep with an empty net goal with five seconds to go.

The Sea Dogs will start the semi-finals on Friday, April 20 at Harbour Station, against an opponent still to be determined.

Catch all the action LIVE on News 88.9 beginning at 7:15p.m.

For a complete game recap and Sea Dog audio highlights, go to:

http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/seadogs/2012/04/12/sea-dogs-sweep-drakkar/

Sea Dogs win, push Drakkar to the brink

Ryan Tesink’s goal 2:31 into the third period proved to be the game winner, as the Saint John Sea Dogs dumped the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 5-2 in QMJHL playoff action.

The victory gives Saint John a 3-0 stranglehold on the best-of-seven quarter-final series.

Tesink, a Saint John, N.B., native took a Stephen MacAulay pass from behind the net and snapped a shot high glove side past Drakkar goalie Philippe Cadorette, snapping a 2-2 tie.

Saint John led 1-0 after one period on a goal by Stanislav Galiev, but the second period was much different story.

Drakkar forward Jonathan Lessard scored early in the middle frame and David Rose gave the Drakkar its first lead with under two minutes left in the period.

Tomas Jurco tied the game just 44 seconds later, and the period ended 2-2.

Not long after Tesink’s goal in the third, the game was delayed about ten minutes because of lighting problems.

Jonathan Huberedeau gave Saint John some insurance with under three minutes to go, and then set up MacAulay’s empty netter about a minute later.

Saint John can complete a second consecutive four-game sweepWednesday night at Centre Henry-Leonard.

Catch all the action LIVE on News 88.9 beginning at 8:15p.m.

For a complete recap and Sea Dog audio highlights, go to:
http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/seadogs/2012/04/11/sea-dogs-beat-drakkar/

Les Mooseheads acculés au pied du mur

Halifax, NÉ - Les Remparts l’ont emporté par la marque de 5-3 sur lesMooseheads mardi soir au Metro Center de Halifax devant une foule de 8204spectateurs pour ainsi acculer la formation Néo-Écossaise au pied du mur en prenant l’avance3-0 dans cette série quart de final 4 de 7.

L’attaquant numéro 21 des Remparts, Micheal McNamee, a assurémentété la grande vedette de la soirée inscrivant 3 buts pour mériter son tour duchapeau et la 1e étoile du match. Il s’agissait de ses 2e,3e et 4e buts des présentes séries éliminatoires. PatrickRoy attendait justement le réveil de son attaquant qui n’avait marqué qu’unseul but en 6 matchs en séries d’après saison. Il en demandait plus, il en aobtenu d’avantage immédiatement!

Konrad Abeltshauser a ouvert la marque en première période avecun puissant tir de la pointe droite qui a trompé la vigilance de Louis Domingue.Mais l’avance des Orignaux n’a pas duré bien longtemps. À peine 2 minutes plus tard,Micheal McNamee a marqué le premier de ses 3 filets de la soirée pour nivelerla marque 1-1. Un total de 16 minutes de pénalité ont été distribuées lors de cepremier engagement. Après avoir pris les devants 3-1 grâce à des buts deMatthew Boudreau (2e) et d’Alexandre Grenier (2e) au deuxième tiers, les hommesde Dominique Ducharme se sont complètement écroulés. D’abord, Kurt Etchegary (1er)a déjoué Zachary Fucale entre les jambières à l’aide d’un tir frappé de l’enclavepour réduire la marque à 3-2. Puis, une minute plus tard, «Big Mac» MichealMcNamee a inscrit son 2e de la rencontre pour créer l’égalité 3-3.Le deuxième vingt se termina par cette marque. Par la suite, en troisièmepériode, l’ontarien a complété son tour du chapeau avant devoir Jérémie Malouin (6e) confirmer la victoire des siens dans unfilet désert. Les Remparts ont dominé 37-22 au chapitre des tirs au but.

Micheal McNamme (#21) célébrant son tour du chapeau

À noter que surprenamment, en 3 matchs, les Remparts n’ontjamais eu l’avance après deux périodes face aux Mooseheads. Ils l’ont tout demême emporté à 3 reprises. Un aspect qui sera quand même à améliorer pour latroupe de Patrick Roy si celle-ci veut espérer vaincre des équipes commeShawinigan ou Saint-John dans les rondes suivantes. L’avantage numérique seraaussi à peaufiner. Après avoir roulé à un train d’enfer contre les Voltigeurs,l’attaque à 5 des Diables Rouges connait des difficultés récemment.

Les Mooseheads feront donc face à l’élimination dès demainsoir devant leurs partisans au Metro Center. Si Halifax l’emporte, un match 5sera nécessaire vendredi soir, de nouveau en Nouvelle-Écosse en raison duformat 2-3-2 de cette série. Le match débutera dès 18h.


Crédit photo: Le Journal de Québec

Les Remparts réalisent un vol

Les Remparts ont créé l’égalité 3 à 3 avec à peine une vingtaine de secondes à faire à la 3^e période avant de finalement l’emporter par la marque de 4-3, samedi soir, en prolongation sur les Mooseheads de Halifax pour ainsi prendre une avance de 2-0 dans cette série quart de finale.

Avec moins d’une minute à faire au troisième engagement, les 12 340 spectateurs présents au Colisée Pepsi croyaient bien que tout était terminé avec les Mooseheads en avant 3-2. Mais Nathan Mackinnon a été d’une erreur monumentale en envoyant la rondelle dans les gradins avec 49.1 secondes à faire. Les Diables Rouges allaient donc profiter de l’avantage de deux hommes pour le reste du troisième tiers puisque Patrick Roy avait déjà retiré son gardien Louis Domingue au profit d’un 6e attaquant. Et ce qui devait arriver arriva. Après plusieurs tentatives devant le filet, Logan Shaw fit finalement mouche en logeant la rondelle derrière Zachary Fucale pour ainsi niveler la marque 3-3. Puis, à 6 :02 de la première période de prolongation, Jérémie Malouin sema l’hystérie dans le Colisée Pepsi en marquant à l’aide d’un tir des poignets dans le haut du filet de Fucale qui était à ce moment étendu de tout son long dans son demi-cercle bleu. À noter que sur ce jeu, les officiels ont été très longs à faire entendre leur sifflet et ne l’ont en fait pas fait entendre. Le portier des Mooseheads, Zachary Fucale, en avait d’ailleurs long à dire sur le travail des officiels après ce jeu.



Les Remparts réunis après le but victorieux de Jérémie Malouin en prolongation

Mikhail Grigorenko (2e) et Gabriel Desjardins (6e) ont complété la marque pour les Remparts. Nathan Mackinnon deux fois (8e et 9e) et Matthew Boudreau (1er) pour Halifax. Zachary Fucale a connu une soirée de travail fort acceptable stoppant 32 des 36 tirs des hommes de Patrick Roy. Quant à Louis Domingue, il a connu une soirée peu occupé de 19 tirs mais a tout de même alloué 3 buts. Lors des deux premiers matchs de cette série, il aura donc accordé 6 buts sur un total 36 lancers pour un mince taux d’efficacité de 0.833%. Un aspect qui sera à améliorer pour le vétéran de 19 ans si les Remparts espèrent faire un long bout de chemin en séries éliminatoires.

Avant que cette série débute, plusieurs amateurs avaient hâte de voir comment les deux jeunes vedettes, Nathan Mackinnon et Mikhail Grigorenko, se débrouilleraient. Jusqu’à maintenant, en 2 matchs, c’est nettement et sans aucun doute l’attaquant des Mooseheads qui a eu le meilleur. En plus de récolter 4 points contrairement à 1 seul pour Grigorenko, il a démontré beaucoup plus de choses sur la glace que son vis-à-vis. Il a été plus rapide, il a obtenu de meilleurs chances de marquer et a gagné ses batailles à un contre un. Des recruteurs avancent même qu’il serait peut-être blessé. Ce qui expliquerait sans doute ses performances plus qu’ordinaires des derniers matchs.

La série se transporte maintenant du côté du Metro Center de Halifax pour les rencontres 3 et 4, au minimum. Si les Mooseheads remportent au moins une de ces deux rencontres, un match 5 sera nécessaire et sera de nouveau présenté en Nouvelle-Écosse en raison du format 2-3-2 de cette série. À noter que les matchs présentés à Halifax débuteront dès 18h, heure de l'Est.

Crédit photo: Le journal de Québec

Sea Dogs sink Drakkar, 10-2

Three different players scored twice to lead the Saint John Sea Dogs to a 10-2 drubbing of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar Saturday night in QMJHL playoff action at Harbour Station.

Saint John scored five times in the second period for the second straight night and cruised to a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven President's Cup quarter-final.

Kevin Gagne and Charles-Olivier Roussel scored seven minutes apart in the first period and the Sea Dogs led 2-0 after the first period.

Tomas Jurco deflected home consecutive goals early in the middle frame before Jonathan Huberdeau and Stanislav Galiev added markers before the period was half over, giving Saint John a 6-0 lead.

After the Drakkar got one back, Zack Phillips snapped home a loose puck in front of the net for a 7-1 Saint John lead through two.

In the third period, Phillips and Galiev netted their second goals of the night while Danick Gauthier rounded out the scoring in the final minute of the game.
David Rose had the other Drakkar goal.

The series shifts to Baie-Comeau for Games three and four - and Game five, if necessary.
Catch Game three Tuesday, April 10, live on News 88.9, beginning with the pregame show at 8:15 p.m.

For a complete game story and Sea Dog highlights, go to:
http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/seadogs/2012/04/08/sea-dogs-hammer-drakkar/

Five-goal second leads Sea Dogs over Drakkar

Stephen MacAulay scored twice 33 seconds apart as part of a five-goal second period for Saint John, as the Sea Dogs sunk the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 9-3, in game one of their QMJHL quarter-final series at Harbour Station.

The victory gives Saint John a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven match-up.
Charlie Coyle gave Saint John a 1-0 lead after one, with the Drakkar tying it early in the second on a power play goal.

Tomas Jurco gave Saint John the lead again before Baie-Comeau struck on the man advantage to even the game at 2-2

Then Saint John's offense exploded.

MacAulay's pair came just past the halfway mark of the period, first off a faceoff in the Drakkar zone, then a bank shot that went off the catching glove of Baie-Comeau goalie Philippe Cadorette.

Zack Phillips and Stanislav Galiev rounded out the scoring in the second, with Saint John scoring five times, including four in an 8:03 stretch.

Danick Gauthier, Phillips and Ryan Tesink added third period goals.

Game two goes Saturday night at Harbour Station.

Catch all the action live on News 88.9 beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Three Stars: 1. Phillips 2. Galiev 3. MacAulay Top Dog: Coyle

For a full recap and Sea Dog highlights, go to:
http://blog.rogersbroadcasting.com/seadogs/2012/04/07/sea-dogs-crush-drakkar/

Three QMJHL players named to Canada U-18 roster

Goaltender Brandon Whitney of the Victoriaville Tigres and forwards William Carrier of the Cape-Breton Screaming Eagles, and Anthony Mantha of the Val-d'Or Foreurs were named to Canada's entry for the upcoming IIHF World Under-18 championship, to be held April 12-22 in Brno and Znojmo, Czech Republic.

Whitney, draft eligible this year, had a very solid season, with a record of 22-4-4 and a .896 save per centage. He will battle Spencer Martin of the Mississauga St Michael's Majors and Matt Murray of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds for the starters job.

Carrier, an offensive center in Cape Breton, will be asked to step up not only offensively. but as leader as well, being one of the older players on the roster. He stepped up big for the Screaming Eagles in this years playoffs against the overpowering Saint John Sea Dogs, registering three goals and three assists while being swept in the first round.

Meanwhile, Mantha, Val d'Or's big winger. will be expected to use his size (6-3, 178-pounds) to overpower the opposition. Team Canada assistant coach Gordie Dwyer, of the P.E.I. Rocket, really likes big, strong players, so expect Mantha to be an unsung hero on this years squad.

First up for Team Canada is Denmark on April 12. They will also play the Czech Republic, Finland, and of course their biggest rivals the United States in the preliminary round.

TSN/RDS will broadcast the Canada versus U.S.A. game on April 17, as well as the semifinals April 20 and the medal games on April 22.

jonathan@theqspot.ca

Grigorenko, Gourde clean up at Golden Puck Awards

QMJHL's top NHL draft prospect, Mikhail Grigorenko was the big winner at Wednesday night’s Golden Puck Awards.

Grigorenko of the Quebec Remparts edged Halifax Mooseheads' Nathan MacKinnon for both the RDS Cup (Rookie of the Year) and the Michel Bergeron Trophy (Offensive Rookie of the Year). He also won the Michael Bossy Trophy as the top professional prospect.

Victoriaville Tigres forward Yanni Gourde was named league MVP, taking home the Michel Briere trophy. He also won the Jean Beliveau tophy as top scorer.

Jean-Francois Houle of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada won the coach of the year. Houle led his team to a 40-22-4-2 record, easily the best record in the West division. He edged out Sea Dogs coach Gerard Gallant, who had won the award the previous two seasons and Remparts coach Patrick Roy.

Houle's boss, Joel Bouchard, was named the league's top general manager.

While Gallant lost out on a third straight coach of the year award, the Sea Dogs were still big winners. Captain Jonathan Huberdeau took home the Paul Dumont Trophy (Personality of the Year) and goaltender Mathieu Corbeil won the Jacques Plante Trophy.

Jerome Gauthier Leduc, who had 28 goals, and 46 assists in 62 games patrolling the Rimouski blueline, was named the league's top defenseman.

Other winners included: Zach O'Brien (Acadie-Bathurst Titan) for sportsman of the year; Jonathan Brunelle (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) was named the top scholastic player; and Vincent Barnard (Quebec Remparts) was singled out for his humanitarian and community involvement.

jonathan@theqspot.ca

Golden Puck Awards winners

The Golden Puck Awards were handed out last night at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in Montreal, Que.

There were 12 prestigious trophies awarded to the most deserving personalities of the 2011-2012 QMJHL season. Also at the event, five junior hockey legends were also inducted into the QMJHL Hall of Fame, presented by RDS.

League commissioner Gilles Courteau said in a press release, the evening was a superb occasion.

"Over 350 people were present to honour five new members to our Hockey Hall of Fame."

Pierre Sevigny, Charles Henry, Steve Duchesne, Michael Goulet and Richard Brodeur were the five players inducted into the hall of fame.

"This even was made even more special because these legends received the recognition they deserved for their exceptional careers next to the biggest names of this season," Courteau added. "In fact some of our award winners might one day become future inductees.

The list of award winners:

Jacques-Plante Trophy - goalie with the best individual average
Mathieu Corbeil, Saint John Sea Dogs
37-10-1, 2.38 GAA, 0.911 save %, 6 shutouts

RDS Cup - Rookie of the year
Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Remparts
59GP, 40G, 45A, 85PTS

Ron-Lapointe Trophy - Coach of the year
Jean-Francois Houle, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
40-22-4-2 record for 86 points, 3rd overall, 1st in Telus West

Jean Beliveau Trophy - Top Scorer
Yanni Gourde, Victoriaville Tigres
68GP, 37G, 87A, 124PTS

Marcel-Robet Trophy - TELUS Scholastic Player of the Year
Jonathan Brunelle, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Humanitarian and community involvement Trophy presented by the Public Relations FIRM NATIONAL
Vincent Barnard, Quebec Remparts

Emile-Bouchard Trophy - Best defensman
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Rimouski Oceanic
62GP, 28G, 46A, 74PTS, +13

Frank-J.-Selke - Most sportsmanlike player
Zach O'Brien, Acadie-Bathurst Titan
63GP, 50G, 51A, 101 PTS, 0PIM
O'Brien has not registered a single penalty minute during his two seasons of junior hockey.

Michael-Bossy Trophy - Best professional prospect
Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Remparts
59GP, 40G, 45A, 85PTS

Maurice-Filion Trophy - General Manager of the Year
Joel Bouchard, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Bouchard received this award for his excellent work with the Armada. He was able to attract crowds whilst organizing his team in record time this season.

Paul-Dumont Trophy - Personality of the year
Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs
Huberdeau showed leadership and an exemplary behaviour during the season. He was able to positively showcase the Sea Dogs organization as well as the QMJHL.

Michel-Briere Trophy - Most Valuable Player
Yanni Gourde, Victoriaville Tigres
68GP, 37G, 87A, 124PTS

All Star Teams

1st All-Star Team
G - Roman Will, Moncton Wildcats
D - Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Rimouski Oceanic
D - Xavier Ouellet, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
C - Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Remparts
LW - Yanni Gourde, Victoriaville Tigres
RW - Frederick Roy, Quebec Remparts

2nd All-Star Team
G - Mathieu Corbeil, Saint John Sea Dogs
D - Morgan Ellis, Shawinigan Cataractes
D - Nathan Beaulieu, Saint John Sea Dogs
C - Zach O'Brien, Acadie-Bathurst Titan
LW - Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs
RW - Sebastien Trudeau, Acadie-Bathurst Titan

Rookie All-Star Team
G - Zachery Fucale, Halifax Mooseheads
D - Nikolas Brouillard, Drummondville Voltigeurs
D - Samuel Morin, Rimouski Oceanic
C - Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Remparts
LW - Anthony Duclair, Quebec Remparts
RW - Sven Andrighetto, Rouyn-Noranada Huskies

nolan@theqspot.ca

Colisee Pepsi review

We have a special feature for you by Stadium Joruney, a website that reviews stadiums all across the World. Today's feature is a review done by the website on the Quebec Remparts home, Colisee Pepsi.

In the article, the Quebec Remparts are compared to Vancouver Giants of the WHL as they also play in an older, larger arena, Vancouver Coliseum, which was also a former NHL home.

The Colisee Pepsi was given a 1/5 for food and beverage, a 5/5 for its atmosphere, a 3/5 for the neighbourhood, and a 5/5 for the fans.

To see the full review click here. Please take the time to read it. It's a very good and interesting read.

There are also several more stadium reviews from the QMJHL included on the website including the Halifax Metro Centre, Moncton Coliseum, Centre Bionest de Shawinigan and the Robert Guertin Centre. Other CHL teams rinks are also included.

-Photo used by permission of Stadium Journey.
-Thanks to Stadium Journey Preisdent and Co-founder Paul Swaney for sending us this article.

Staff picks: second round predictions

Here are Round 2 predictions from the staff members at The Q Spot.

The second round series are as follows:

1. Saint John Sea Dogs vs. 13. Baie-Comeau Drakkar
2. Shawinigan Cataractes vs. 8. Chicoutimi Sagueneens
3. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada vs. 7. Rimouski Oceanic
5. Quebec Remparts vs. 6. Halifax Mooseheads

Nolan Reid
Saint John vs. Baie-Comeau
-Saint John wins in 4 games. Saint John will continue to dominate and will be too much for the Baie-Comeau to handle. Charlie Coyle will play big role like he did in first round.

Shawinigan vs. Chicoutimi
-Shawinigan wins in 5 games. Chicoutimi will put up a good fight but Gabriel Girard's goaltending and will be the difference. All games will be close.

Blainville-Boisbriand vs. Rimouski
-Blainville-Boisbriand wins in 5 games. Not much to say about this series, just don't think Rimouski is that strong to beat Blainville. Jess Tanguy will have a terrific series for Armada.

Quebec vs. Halifax
-Halifax wins in 7 games. Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Frk are going to play huge roles in the Mooseheads' upset over the Remparts. Zachery Fucale will have a strong series in goal. On the Quebec's side, Mikhail Grigorenko is going to be hard to shut down.

Bryer MacPherson
Saint John vs. Baie-Comeau
-Saint John wins in 4 games. Baie-Comeau won't be able to handle Saint John's large amount of talent.

Shawinigan vs. Chicoutimi
-Shawinigan wins in 6 games. Jean-Gabriel Pageau will be a big part of Chicoutimi's attempt to comeback but in the end, Shawinigan advances.

Blainville-Boisbriand vs. Rimouski
-Blainville-Boisbriand wins in 6 games. Rimouski comes just short of forcing Game 7, but the Armada takes it home in the end.

Quebec vs. Halifax
-Halifax wins in 7 games. Nathan MacKinnon makes a big impact in the outcome of this one.

Jonathan Dunphy
Saint John vs. Baie-Comeau
-Saint John wins in 4 games. Saint John continues their dominance, with Zack Phillips stepping up big time.

Shawinigan vs. Chicoutimi
-Shawinigan wins in 6 games. Shawinigan's depth is too much for the Sagueneenes to handle.

Blainville-Boisbriand vs. Rimouski
-Blainville-Boisbriand wins in 5 games. Jess Tanguy continues to light it up for the Armada. Jacob Gervais-Chouinard has a bad series.

Quebec vs. Halifax
-Quebec wins in 7 games. Nathan MacKinnon out-duels fellow rookie Mikhail Grigorenko, but Grigorenko gets the laugh laugh.


Bradey Williston
Saint John vs. Baie-Comeau
-Saint John wins in 4 games.

Shawinigan vs. Chicoutimi
-Shawinigan wins in 4 games.

Blainville-Boisbriand vs. Rimouski
-Blainville-Boisbriand wins in 5 games.

Quebec vs. Halifax
-Quebec wins in 6 games.

Patrick Moore
Saint John vs. Baie-Comeau
-Saint John wins in 5 games.

Shawinigan vs. Chicoutimi
-Shawinigan wins in 6 games.

Blainville-Boisbriand vs. Rimouski
-Rimouski wins in 7 games.

Quebec vs. Halifax
-Quebec wins in 7 games.

Overall TQS Predictions
Saint John, with a 5-0 vote
Shawinigan, with a 5-0 vote
Blainville-Boisbriand, with a 4-1 vote
Quebec, with a 3-2 vote.

If you have your own predictions, let us know in the comments section below.

nolan@theqspot.ca

Second round ready to go

After Chicoutimi's 4-3 overtime win over Bathurst in Game 6 Sunday night, the second round of the playoffs is set to go.

The No. 1 Saint John Sea Dogs will play the 13th-seeded Baie-Comeau Drakkar, who upset the Victoriaville Tigres 4-0. The series starts Friday April 6 in Saint John with Game Two going on Saturday. The series will switch to Baie-Comeau for games three, four and five on April 10, 11 and 13 respectively. Games six and seven will be back in Saint John on April 16 and 17.

Shawinigan will play the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Shawinigan won their first-round matchup against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 4-0.

The series gets underway Friday April 6 and April 7 in Shawinigan.

The third series includes the third-placed Blainville-Boisbriand Armada taking on the seventh-seeded Rimouski Oceanic.

Armada won their series against Gatineau 4-0. Rimouski swept Val-'d'Or in four games.

The series kicks off Friday April 6 in Blainville.

Last but not least, the Quebec Remparts will battle against the Halifax Mooseheads. This series will feature Mooseheads' Nathan MacKinnon going up against Remparts' Mikhail Grigorenko.

Quebec swept Drummondville in the first round and Halifax swept rival Moncton Wildcats.

This will be the second series in the second round to have a 2-3-2 format. Quebec gets games one and two on Friday and Saturday, and Halifax gets games three to five. Games six and seven will come back to Quebec if necessary.

Stay tuned for The Q Spot's second round predictions.

Click here for playoff bracket.

nolan@theqspot.ca