Rimouski Océanic head coach Serge Beausoleil compared the relationship between his team and the Quebec Remparts to an “old couple” before the start of the series between the two teams. Certainly, the flame still burns. And we’re not talking about love here.
Physical play, skirmishes after the whistle, many turnovers and more goals than expected and another denied in controversy: the first game of the series, won 6-3 by the Remparts, was faithful to the rivalry between the two teams and provided an exciting spectacle for the 13,730 spectators but which probably gave both coaches some gray hairs.
“There is no love between the two teams and that has always been the case. From the first presence, we have to show our colors. The intensity will increase as the series progresses,” admitted Nathan Gaucher after the match.
“A difficult game”
Other than the final score, however, there was little positive in Patrick Roy’s speech after the game. His team was dominated in the first period then, despite a revival in the last 40 minutes, was often outclassed by a surly and tough Océanic on the forecheck.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen us play this badly. […] I found that our concentration was not good. They were very good in their one-on-one battles and outplayed us at that level and it looked like they were skating better than us. We had sand in the gears. […] It was tough from start to finish and we didn’t behave like a team that wants to win top honors in our league, that’s for sure. »
The head coach of the Remparts was not looking for excuses to explain the poor outing of his team.
“We are not at the time of apologies. It is certain that the fact that we won eight victories against them in the regular season, we may have arrived thinking that it would be easy. The Océanic welcomed us in the second round, I can tell you that. »
Disallowed goal controversial
After being dominated 22-6 in the first period but managing to retire to the locker room with a 1-1 tie, the Remparts came back to life at the start of the second period by scoring after only 13 seconds before adding another, a just over four minutes later. His second goal, which was 3-1, chased Hamrla after he gave in three times on the Remparts’ first nine shots.
The Océanic reduced the lead to 4-3 late in the second and thought they had tied the game at the start of the third period when Alexandre Gaudio jumped on a return shot from William Dumoulin to score. The official initially allowed the goal, only to change his mind after consulting with his assistant, a call that was upheld during a lengthy video review call.
“I have just seen him again and it is a total misunderstanding, lamented Beausoleil. [Nathan] left handed pushes [William] From the mill. He cannot avoid the goalkeeper but if the player is pushed by the opponent on his own goalkeeper… The goal was awarded, then reversed afterwards. [S’il est accordé], that’s 4-4. You’re going to have to give me an explanation on that one.
“I was told that the push [de Gaucher] was not strong enough. Let’s say that, lately, all the leaders are quite burned by the games which are conclusive or not. We will have to improve the technology in our circuit, that’s for sure, ”he added, referring in particular to the goal disallowed in extra time in match no. 7 between the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and the Moncton Wildcats last Tuesday.
Roy d’accord
Unsurprisingly, on the other side, Patrick Roy welcomed the decision of the officials.
“As a goalkeeper, I’ve always been told that it’s the player’s job to avoid the keeper. From the moment he makes contact… At the start of the series, the players were told that the Océanic would put pressure and practice a sustained forecheck. Unfortunately for them, this time he snagged the goalkeeper. »
A few minutes after the disallowed goal, Théo Rochette accepted the pass from Pier-Olivier Roy, with whom he had come two against one, to score and make it 5-3 before Charle Truchon put an end to the debate, in a net desert.
“On our side, we were a little disturbed by this call, added Beausoleil. We played less well afterwards. This is something that needs to be corrected. But, honestly, as a first game, we gave a good effort and there are a lot of positives in that. »
The second game of the series will take place Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Videotron Center.
