Halifax, Gatineau turn back the clock
– The entire series looked like something out of the ‘80s. I don’t remember seeing a series that had as much stick work, dirty play and nastiness without any suspensions. The first four games of the series were played with prison rules.
– Gatineau traditionally plays a hard and heavy game, but the Olympiques went overboard against Halifax. The Moosheads power play took advantage, converting at 39.4 percent in the series.
– Philipe Gadoury signed as a free agent out of Ontario. He has 28 goals and 43 points in 28 games played for Halifax. Last year, the Mooseheads signed MacKenzie Weegar and he had a similar impact, only on defence.
– Darcy Ashley’s health will be key if Halifax is to entertain hopes of repeating.
– While Jonathan Drouin is likely too good to be playing in the CHL, he will benefit greatly from his 2013-14 experience. He’s made the switch from wing to centre, he’s the target of his opponent’s game plan nightly, he’s become much more disciplined and he’s showing everyone that he doesn’t need the support of Nathan MacKinnon to be successful.
– Marc-Olivier Crevier-Morin was moved to forward for game five and gave Benoit Groulx some solid minutes. I wonder if this is a project that will be carried forward into the 2014-15 season.
– The Olympiques have two studs on the back-end to build around. Alexandre Carrier and Jean-Simon Deslauriers will be a deadly top pairing next season.
– Vincent Dunn and Emilie Poirier are players who must play on the edge to be successful. They have had success doing it in the QMJHL, but how well that carries over into their pro careers will be something worth following.
Canada’s Under-18 team
– Expect Canada’s final roster to be announced on Wednesday. Hockey Canada is waiting to the very last second to see if any more players become available.
– Sam Bennett and Spencer Watson are too banged-up to play, and the same may be true for Aaron Ekblad.
This and that
– The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and the Medicine Hat Tigers are similar teams in that they’re smaller up front, have great coaching, excellent goaltending and their respective leagues are asking how they do it on a consistent basis.
– The Armada plays Rimouski in game seven Tuesday night to win a date against Baie-Comeau, while the Tigers have forced game seven Wednesday night against Kootenay to earn the right to play Edmonton in the WHL’s Eastern Conference final.
– The 35-day layoff for MasterCard Memorial Cup host London speaks more to the balance of power in the OHL’s Western Conference than it does an unworthy team.
– The OHL has considered the 1-16 playoff-seeding format, but the fear is losing out on regional rivalries early in the playoffs, especially for teams whose playoff revenues are essential.
– Here’s a look at what would’ve happened if the OHL adopted the QMJHL format for the 2013-14 playoffs, keeping in mind that division winners are the top seeds.
(1) Guelph vs (16) Mississauga
(2) Sault Ste. Marie vs (15) Niagara
(3) Oshawa vs (14) Plymouth
(4) North Bay vs (13) Owen Sound
(5) Erie vs (12) Peterborough
(6) London vs (11) Saginaw
(7) Kingston vs (10) Sudbury
(8) Barrie vs (9) Windsor
– Of the last 12 OHL Champions, only the 2006 Peterborough Petes have come out of the Eastern Conference.
– It’s hard to believe the Portland Winterhawks are playing in their fourth straight Western Conference final.
– The NHL draft lottery will be held Tuesday evening. Here are the odds for the No. 1 pick.
– Halifax and Val d’Or should provide some fantastic, end-to-end, high-scoring hockey.
The Subway Super Series has all but one venue left to announce. Of the changes, the tournament will start in the WHL for the first time ever.
Stat Trick
Regular Season Penalty Shots
QMJHL: 9/39 (23%)
OHL: 17/47 (36%)
WHL: 14/49 (29%)
Total: 40/135 (30%)
Friday Night Hockey
Game 1 of the WHL Western Conference final: Portland @ Kelowna
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