A third-straight semifinals berth is on the line for the Halifax Mooseheads on Friday Night Hockey.
The defending President’s Cup and MasterCard Memorial Cup champion Mooseheads lead their second round series 3-1 over the Gatineau Olympiques. The Mooseheads swept the Olympiques in last year’s second round and are now a win away from ending Gatineau’s season once again.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Watch game five of the QMJHL second-round playoff series between the Halifax Mooseheads and Gatineau Olympiques on Sportsnet ONE Friday starting at 7:00 p.m. EST
The crowd will be buzzing, as it always is, at the Robert Guertin Centre. The Olympiques got their only win of the series on home ice in game three behind a raucous and intimidating crowd. The Mooseheads then drained the home side’s energy with a three-goal rally in a span of two minutes and 39 seconds in the second period of game four, and aren’t concerned with a hostile environment on Friday.
"The game is played on the ice," Mooseheads head coach Dominique Ducharme says. "We know the only thing that we can do is control what we can control and that is what we do on the ice."
WHAT’S ON THE LINE?
Halifax has such killer instinct, it’s a perfect 7-0 in the last three playoffs when playing a team it can eliminate. The Mooseheads understand the importance time off brings to a long playoff run, especially as they get deeper.
Still, Ducharme isn’t straying from his mantra where the smaller picture takes care of the bigger one. Choosing not to allow his players to think about a potential sixth and seventh game puts all emphasis on game five.
"You can’t think of any consequences," he says, "finishing the series or whatever. We know where we’re at in the series but we’re not thinking about anything else (other than) playing our best game on Friday."
The start is critical for the Olympiques. They won game three by playing with more urgency than their opponents and will need to match that same intensity in order to live another day. The home crowd provides a notable advantage, and an early goal would go a long way in helping their chances.
KEY MATCHUP
Jonathan Drouin vs. Emile Poirier
While Halifax has the advantage in overall depth, the cliché that your best players need to be your best players is fitting. The Mooseheads are getting the goods from Drouin while the Olympiques are not from Poirier. Drouin is the better player with a stronger supporting cast, which only puts more emphasis on Poirier stepping up his game.
Poirier, a first-round pick by the Calgary Flames, has a goal and one assist in this series. He had six goals and two assists against the overmatched Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the opening round. His fast pace, however, isn’t as big an advantage against the fleet-footed Mooseheads.
Drouin is averaging a cool three points per game in the playoffs. His point streak is now 21 games as the Tampa Bay prospect continues to dazzle with his playmaking, especially from the point on the powerplay.
"He’s done it all year," Ducharme notes. "He’s playing a complete game. He’s involved everywhere. He’s playing with leadership.
"He’s playing really well for us and he’s got a great influence on his teammates."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Halifax: Zachary Fucale, G
In order to fully appreciate Fucale’s influence, one only needs to watch the way his teammates play in front of him. The third-year starter exudes confidence that oozes through the rest of the team. He never panics, and neither do his teammates. Fucale is an even bigger anchor for his team this year than he was last year.
"He’s got experience," Ducharme explains. "He got involved in big games at 16. He went to the world juniors – he’s faced many situations. For sure, to have him back there, I mean it’s a boost of confidence for the players. He’s an important part of our team."
Gatineau: Martin Reway, LW
Reway has been one of his team’s most dynamic players since coming to Canada from the Czech Republic last season. The Montreal Canadiens prospect assumed the offensive burden of his team and is producing admirably. Although 11 of his 15 playoff points came against the Screaming Eagles, Reway is still providing a spark against the Mooseheads with a goal and three assists in four games. His hockey IQ and feel for the game are perhaps his most talented traits.
