Ads 468x60px

advertise here!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

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/

Saturday, April 7, 2012

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/

Friday, April 6, 2012

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

Thursday, April 5, 2012

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

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

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.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

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