RIMOUSKI-Even if his team is currently decimated by injuries and the influenza virus, the managing director and head coach of the Océanic, Serge Beausoleil, assures that his team will not be easy prey for the Remparts on Friday at Quebec and Sunday in Rimouski.
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If the Remparts fight with the Charlottetown Islanders for the Jean-Rougeau Trophy given to the holder of the first rank in the general classification of the regular season, the Océanic tries to get ahead of the Halifax Mooseheads in 5th place in the association of the East, which would allow them to avoid the mighty Saint John Sea Dogs in the first round of the playoffs.
With its victory against the Voltigeurs on Wednesday, the Océanic came within one point of the Mooseheads who have only one game to play against two for the Rimouskois. “It is sure that we look at the classification. Since the Mooseheads are unlikely to lose to the Eagles on Sunday, that leaves us very little room to maneuver against the Remparts. We will have to have a better management of the puck than Wednesday otherwise the Remparts will hurt us, ”analyzed Serge Beausoleil.
A damaged defense
Serge Beausoleil hopes for the return of a few players for Friday’s game, particularly within his defensive squad. “We only had five defensemen on Wednesday, including Cory MacGillivray, who starts and Luke Coughlin who is only 16 years old. We used William Dumoulin (an attacker) as a defender. He did that very well, so much so that he played nearly 30 minutes.
Mathis Gauthier and Mathis Aguilar, two very reliable defenders defensively, who are beginning to discover their offensive skills, were sidelined due to illness on Wednesday. Charles Côté is on the injured list for a week or two. Same thing for Julien Béland whose return is desired for the start of the playoffs. “Both have improved this week in training. Béland’s absence is felt. He’s one of the best forecheckers to put pressure on opposing defenses and keep the puck in enemy territory,” commented Serge Beausoleil.
In short
Goalkeeper Gabriel Robert and forward Alexandre Lefebvre are also suffering from influenza. “We will see tomorrow morning (Friday), but for the moment it leans for a return of Patrik Hamrla in front of the net. He was very good against the Voltigeurs,” said coach Beausoleil.
The Océanic is probably one of the rare teams to play for an average of .500 this season against the Remparts with a record of three wins and three losses, including a 9-2 win on March 11 in Rimouski in the last game. between the two teams.