(Saint-Jean) A few months ago, the head coach of the Shawinigan Cataractes, Daniel Renaud, would have feared a slowdown on the part of his troop at the approach of a game of relative importance like the one of Saturday. It’s no longer the case now.
Posted at 4:26 p.m.
The winner of the duel between the Cataractes (2-0-0-0) and the Saint John Sea Dogs (1-0-1-0) at the end of the preliminary round of the Memorial Cup will obtain a ticket for the final. The loser will have to go through the semi-final.
Moreover, both QMJHL teams are guaranteed to advance to the playoffs. Despite this, there is no question of taking this duel lightly.
“Two months ago, I would have seen it as a trap, admitted Renaud. Today, considering our strength of character, I have no doubt that we will come out the right way. »
The core of the Cataracts has grown together over the past four seasons. Renaud admits that the bitter defeats at the start of the cycle left their mark, but he believes he succeeded in helping his group overcome this mental obstacle.
According to him, this is what explains the many successful comebacks by the Cataractes and the team’s 7-0 record in overtime during the QMJHL playoffs.
“It’s been a daily job to tell them that hockey is a fair sport, that if they continue to do the right things, to be good people and good teammates, the results will come from them. themselves, said Renaud. I have repeated it day after day this season and the credit goes to the players, who believed in the process, in this way of thinking and they are reaping the rewards today. »
The Sea Dogs are counting on the support of the crowd to have a good start to the game and find the energy to win and get their ticket to the final.
However, this situation does not displease the Cataractes, after two games in front of a neutral crowd.
“We can’t wait,” said Cataractes forward Mavrik Bourque. There was no atmosphere in the last matches. There, it will be more fun, even if the crowd is against us. »
Curb Bourque and his band
Heading into Friday’s game between the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Edmonton Oil Kings, Bourque and teammate Xavier Bourgault had led the scoring column since the start of the tournament with five points apiece in two games. They shared the No. 1 spot with Sea Dogs forward Raivis Kristians Ansons.
Bourque, selected at 30e rank of the 2020 draft by the Dallas Stars, was particularly impressive thanks to spectacular stagings for his teammates.
“He has incredible vision and shooting,” said Cataractes forward Pierrick Dubé. He has it all. He is also an incredible leader. He has done a lot for the team over four years and he is respected from A to Z.”
Bourque, Bourgault and Olivier Nadeau shaved the Hamilton Bulldogs on Thursday by generating three power play goals.
Sea Dogs head coach Gardiner MacDougall said avoiding the penalty box will be the watchword in his camp. After seeing his troop allow four goals in six occasions with a man in jail, we can understand it.
“We play the champions of the three leagues and they usually have very good power play,” Sea Dogs defenseman William Villeneuve said. It will be important to be disciplined, but also to clear the front of the net. »
Crowd support can be a double-edged sword, and Sea Dogs players know they’ll have to contain their emotions in order to avoid bad punishment.
“You have to take a deep breath, keep calm and things will be fine,” Sea Dogs captain Vincent Sévigny said.
Easier said than done when you’re so close to the goal and the crowd reacts strongly to every shoulder strike. The team that best manages its emotions should go directly to the final, while the other will have a slightly more complicated path to the Memorial Cup.