The Remparts headed to Charlottetown this morning in the position they wanted to have: up 2-0 in their series against the Islanders. If they gave almost nothing to their opponents in the first two games, they were not perfect for all that. Analysis of the Red Devils game since the start of the series.
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Nobody expected the team to have a hard time against the Islanders who, despite being masterfully led by Jim Hulton, are clearly not in the same place in their cycle.
GOOD
The first match was one-sided, at all levels. Quebec responded blow for blow to the Islanders, dominating them both in terms of physical play and speed. Frustrated on a few occasions, the Charlottetown players took costly penalties that allowed the Remparts to build their confidence.
Had it not been for Jakob Robillard’s brilliance, the score could have been much, much higher than 4-0.
In two games, the Remparts scored seven goals and only allowed one, that of Michael Horth scored with less than three minutes to go in the third period of the second game. They outshot their opponents 91-35 in two games. With few exceptions, there have been few times when the Islanders have truly been able to settle in the Remparts area to really generate offensive threats. As Roy noted, on Saturday, when it happened, William Rousseau was watching the grain.
The play of the 19-year-old goalkeeper is certainly part of the good of these first two games. Pitted against a burning Robillard on the other side, Rousseau held his own and, though not as tested, looked in control in front of his net every time the Islanders attempted an attack.
“He has been very good since the start of the playoffs. Both are. They are good matches and it is good for us. We face a goalkeeper who is hot and the guys realize that it will not just be lace goals, but it will be pick and shovel. That’s what we’re going to bet on if we want to go far in the playoffs. »
THE WORST
The “lacework” to which Roy refers was a little more visible in the second game of the series, during which the Remparts did not approach perfection as much as they could have done the day before. That doesn’t mean they weren’t good but it’s a fact, and Patrick Roy admitted that the execution was lacking at times.
In front of a Jakob Robillard once again in full possession of his means – he clearly does not intend to see his junior career end with a sweep of the Remparts – the Remparts had good chances, but left several others on the ice, attempting the pass too many which, of course, would have allowed for a spectacular goal but whose coefficient of difficulty was higher.
“Our execution hasn’t been as good. I have to admit it. Several times we made passes in the skates. Let’s hope it will be better in Charlottetown,” admitted Patrick Roy after the second game.
ON THE ROAD TO ENDING IT
Now, the Remparts have arrived in Prince Edward Island with the firm intention of returning to Quebec after completing the sweep.
While Jim Hulton felt that coming home would be an advantage for his young team, since “our comfort level is better at home than on the road”, he said, Patrick Roy saw the situation a little differently.
“We have almost the same record on the road as at home this year. In addition, we have lived and I am convinced that it will serve us. We know they will come out strong and it will be up to us to be ready. Besides, they may be more comfortable at home but I’m sure they’ll be nervous too because they know that a loss would push them to 0-3. You also have that in mind. »
♦ The third and fourth games of the series are Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Charlottetown.