(Saint-Jean) The dream course of the Shawinigan Cataractes has come to an end.
Posted at 9:36 p.m.
Jan Mysak hit the target after 10:08 of overtime and the Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the QMJHL champions 4-3 on Monday in the Memorial Cup semi-final.
The Cataractes had caused some surprise by winning the President’s Cup. To achieve this, they had defeated two of the best teams in the country: the Quebec Remparts and the Charlottetown Islanders.
The Mauricie team then won its first two games at the Memorial Cup before returning to earth.
Mysak delivered the knockout blow by deflecting a Nathan Staios shot into the back of the net.
The OHL champion Bulldogs will face the tournament host Saint John Sea Dogs in the Memorial Cup final on Wednesday.
The Sea Dogs will be aiming for a second Memorial Cup title, following their triumph in 2011. The Bulldogs are hoping to get their hands on the prized trophy for the first time.
Olivier Nadeau had a goal and an assist, while Mavrik Bourque and William Veillette also scored for the Cataractes, who went 7-0 in overtime in the QMJHL playoffs. Antoine Coulombe made 39 saves.
Mason McTavish had a goal and an assist, while Artem Grushnikov and Logan Morrison also moved the ropes for the Bulldogs. Ryan Winterton had two assists and Marco Costantini stopped 33 shots.
Explosive Duel
It was not the chances that were missed at the start of the game.
McTavish was quick to signal, but he reached the crossbar after performing a nice fake. At the other end of the rink, Daniel Agostino saw his shot grazed the crossbar before going over the net.
Bourque finally opened the scoring with 5:21 to go in the first period. He took advantage of a nice handover from Nadeau to surprise Costantini.
The Bulldogs replied 1:50 later, when the teams were playing four on four. Xavier Bourgault just let go of Grushnikov, who deflected a McTavish discount behind Coulombe.
McTavish then gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead after 1:23 of play in the second period, shortly after a power play ended. He did it twice to beat Coulombe on the mitten side.
In turn, the Cataractes didn’t waste much time before replying, creating the tie at 5: 49 of the second period. Nadeau skillfully deflected a shot from Isaac Ménard behind Costantini.
The game tightened thereafter. Both goalkeepers also made some good saves.
Coulombe frustrated Mysak on a close-range shot, while Costantini stretched the pad to prevent Charles Beaudoin from deflecting a Bourque snap into the opener.
Avery Hayes thought for a moment that he had given the Bulldogs the lead early in the third period, but his goal was called off by the referees. It looks like the whistle sounded before the puck crossed the goal line.
Veillette put the Cataractes ahead moments later, with 9:59 to go in regulation time. He deflected a shot from Angus Booth to the top.
Morrison, however, responded 3:55 later, taking advantage of a perfect delivery from Winterton to beat Coulombe.
Mysak then played heroes in overtime where both teams got chances to win.