Moncton head coach Danny Flynn.

BY PATRICK KING
sportsnet.ca

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BRANDON, Man. -- Nicolas Deschamps tested his injured ankle Saturday, but remains unlikely for Saturday’s game in the MasterCard Memorial Cup.

The Moncton Wildcats forward, who tied for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League scoring crown during the regular season, was the only player on the ice Saturday morning. Deschamps, along with the team’s athletic therapist, Guy Savoie, shot around for nearly half an hour leading up to Moncton’s tilt with the Western Hockey League champion Calgary Hitmen.

Deschamps suffered a high ankle sprain in Moncton’s semifinal series win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs and has not played since.

"He’s climbing the walls like anybody would," Moncton head coach Danny Flynn said Friday. "He’s champing at the bit to get out there. We just have to get clearance and get him out there. Whether he makes it back or not, we’re not sure."

Deschamps didn’t exert himself much on the ice. His balance in his stride was notably improved over the course of the session, but his inclusion in the tournament remains questionable.

"He’s getting better day-by-day," Flynn said. "Everybody heals at their own rate and he went from crutches to limping to walking to now participating in off-ice workouts."

BOURQUE STEPS IN

The biggest question mark for Moncton is who will fill Deschamps’ shoes. Gabriel Bourque scored eight of his 19 playoff goals in the final over Saint John, but isn’t the same type of dynamic scorer as Deschamps.

"He’s a heart and souler," Flynn said. "He’s a grinder. Kind of a go to the net, score those five-foot goals type of guy. A little bull dog.

"Nic Deschamps is more of a Simon Gagne type player. Tall, rangy, good skater, good skills. It’s a different type player and they complemented each other well and gave us some balance."

LIGHT PRACTICE

The Hitmen also opted for a light skate Saturday morning. Defencemen Kyle Aschim and Peter Kosterman were the lone Hitmen players on the ice.

League scoring champion Brandon Kozun is expected to go after injuring his ankle in the deciding game of the WHL final against the Tri-City Americans. Kozun said his injury hasn’t completely healed, but is anxious to see how it holds up once the game starts.

"It’s tough to tell until I get into the action to see what it’s going to be like," Kozun said. "It’s coming along pretty well so it should be OK."

LIVELY BOARDS

Both teams have now had plenty of time to pre-scout each other and the building. Among the observations made by each team have been some surprising bounces off the boards.

"Quick, lively boards and smaller rink than people might think," Wildcats head coach Danny Flynn said. "The ice won’t be great today. It’s an older building, it’s real hot outside, but that’s playoff conditions. It’s the same in our rink in Moncton, the same for both teams so we’ll battle through."

"Having the experience, knowing the bounces off the boards, stuff like that is definitely going to play a factor, but at the end of the day, we have to play our game and hopefully it goes well," Kozun added.