Best of 7 shifts to Moncton for games 3 and 4 tied at 1

Moncton , New Brunswick

Now it becomes a best of 5. The Moncton Wildcats fell to the Lewiston Maineiacs 2-1 on Saturday night and tied the best of 7 series at 1.

As the best of 7 now becomes a best of 5 now between the 8 and 9 seeds in the overall standings the Wildcats are happy to be home after a split over the weekend.

“Certainly getting the 2 wins would of been great but when playing the first 2 games on the road you hope for a split and then have home ice advantage on the way home”

Both teams were missing players from game 2 due to suspensions that were handed down from game 1. Wildcats were without their leading goal scorer Mareik Hrivik and it was certainly evident in game 2 when he wasn’t out there on the power play with the Saulniers. Lewiston were were without the services of defenseman Ian Saab and also Antoine Houde-Caron . Both Saab and Hrivik will be back in the line-up tonight.  Houde-Caron is serving game 2 of a 3 games suspension after an elbow to the back of the head of Simon Jodoin and is  out for games 3-4.

Brandon Thibeau was solid Saturday in the loss making 25 saves. Nicholas Champion wasn’t as busy only making 17 saves in the win.

Michel Chaput opened the scoring for Lewiston as he broke in down the right wing he was on his off wing was able to cut back to the middle of the slot and snapped a shot past Thibeau low trapper side to make it 1-0 Maineiacs.

In the second period the Maineiacs would go up 2-0 when Olivier Dame-Malka leads the rush through the neutral zone steps in over the blue line blows a slap shot past Thibeau to make it 2-0 Lewiston.

The Wildcats would get on the board late in the second when Allain pops home his second of the series to make it a 2-1 game. Alex feeds a perfect pass through the Maineiacs box and Allain blows a slapshot past Champion.  On the same play the Champion robbed Allain on 3 times in game 1.

The Wildcats would press late in the third but were not able to tie it up and the Maineiacs come out 2-1 winners.

When asked about coming home with a split Brandon Thibeau said they are certainly happy with the first two games. ” If someone had of told us at the beginning of the series that we were going to be coming back here with a split I think we would of been pretty happy.  I think we performed as well as we wanted to down there the boys played well and we are happy to be back home”

When asked to evaluate the first two games of the series the Head Coach and Direction of Hockey Operations Danny Flynn gave this assessment. “We knew we had to win a game in their building and now it becomes a best of five with home ice. I thought we played real well in Lewiston and did some things well but this series is far from over” When asked about how the team re-focused the team after the Scott Trask incident “Scott Trask is a real popular member of our team and no one care about the Wildcats more than Scott Trask it hurt all of us to see him badly injured we on the bench dedicated the game to him let’s get the focus back here and try to get the two points.

When asked about the effort in game two Flynn was extremely happy considering they had two affiliate players in the line-up for the tight defensive struggle. “Yeah no question our effort is there our execution has to be better in certain areas but we are playing out hearts out going into the playoffs if you look at our ghost roster with Stephens, Trask and Hrivik out of the line-up there is 3 of our top 6 forwards we played 12 rookies in game two and 4 of them spent the year in the MHL when you compared it to their team that have two first round picks it’s a significant difference in natural talent we have to make up the difference with hard work and organised energy and our guys are playing hard”

Games 3 and 4 happen tonight and tomorrow both 7:00 PM start times at the Coliseum. Game 5 will return to Lewiston Friday night at 8:30 PM local time.

Wildcats take 1-0 series lead over Lewiston

Lewiston, Maine

The Wildcats came away with a 4-1 win over the Lewiston Maineiacs in their best of 7 opening round playoff match-up.

But game one came with a few losses for the Wildcats for tonight’s game 2.  Scott Trask was on the receiving end of a blind side hit which led to him being transported to hospital and later released after being treated for a severe concussion. Also Mark Hrivik was issued a one game suspension for fighting in the last 5 minutes of a game after engaging in an altercation with Lewiston defenseman Ian Saab with 2:30 remaining in the game in what could be considered a suspect call on the leagues part.

On the flip side for Lewiston their leading scorer in the regular season will have no disciplinary action taken against him after his hit on Trask in the first period. He was issued a 5 minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. Trask who was in the ice for 15 minutes had to be restrained while 10 people were called to ice in an effort to get the Newfoundland native strapped onto the stretcher to be brought to hospital.

Antoine Houde-Caron was suspended for 3 games after a vicious elbow to head of Wildcats Captain Simon Jodoin. Jodoin was on the ice for several minutes but eventually returned to the game. While no call on the play was made during the game, upon further review the QMJHL has announced that Houde-Caron will miss games 2-4 of this series. Ian Saab has also been suspended one game for his part in the aforementioned altercation with Hrivik late in the third period.

Wildcats will have some line juggling to do coming into tonight’s game. With the Trask injury, Dan Pettterson moved from the second line to the first line with the Saulniers and played very well for the rest of the game. Looks like potentially Zack Cahill and Grant West will come into the line-up for the Wildcats with the injury and suspension to Trask and Hrivik. For either one of these players, it would mark their QMJHL playoff debuts.

As for the game itself last night, after the Trask injury the veterans and the coaching staff did a great job or getting the rookies re-focused on the task at hand. Brandon Thibeau was solid making 24 saves, including several key saves at key times to pick up the win.

Wildcats got goals from Simon Jodoin, Dan Milan, Ryan Penny and Allain Saulnier into the empty net.  Jess Tanguy replied for the Maniacs.

Game 2 goes tonight in Lewiston with puck drop at 8:00PM Atlantic time.The series changes venues for games 3-4 on Tuesday and Wednesday night, both 7:00PM starts in Moncton.

I will have my thoughts on game 2 posted here tomorrow and will keep updating the blog throughout the playoffs.

All-Time Wildcats team selected for first 15 Years.

With this being the 15^th anniversary of the Moncton Wildcats and with Wildcats fans having the opportunity to pick their all time 15 fan favourites Will MacLaren and I have decided to come up with our own all time Wildcats team for the franchise’s first 15 seasons in the QMJHL.

These views and opinions are solely those of Will and I. We would love to get your comments on the team we have put together.

That being said we have come up with one major criteria for our selection process; each player put on this roster must have played a minimum of 60 games in a Wildcats uniform.

The format we will be using for the all Wildcats team is as follows:

There will be 3 goaltenders, 8 defensemen and 12 forwards selected for the roster which will consist of players from the 96-97 season all the way to the present day roster.

Without further ado, here is a look at the selections Will and I have made for the All-Time Wildcats team from the past 15 years.

Goaltenders.

Jean-Francois Damphousse #96 (1996-1999;49-68-10 3.83 G.A.A)

Drafted in the first round of the ’96 Midget entry draft he would be the first of many great goaltenders to spend his junior career with the Wildcats organisation. A career record in a Wildcats uniform of 49-68 he helped the team to their first playoff berth in the 97-98 season as the team surprised the 3^rd place Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the first round with a 6 game series win.

Corey Crawford #29 (2001-2005; 96-68-18 2.80 G.A.A)

The Current Chicago Blackhawk spent 4 season with the Wildcats. Drafted by Moncton in 2001, The Wildcats would select the Ken Dryden award winner(top goaltender in Quebec) in the first round. Crawford had a career record in a Wildcats uniform of 96-68-18. He was one of the key reasons the Wildcats made their first presidents cup appearance in 2004.

Nicola Riopel #29 (2006-2010; 94-47-14 2.59 G.A.A.)

Helping the team to their second presidents cup  in 2010, “Rio“ posted a stellar career record of 94-47-14 with the Wildcats  including 43 wins in 2008-2009. Also set a league record for the lowest goals against average for a single season of 2.05 that same season, a year in which he was named league MVP.

  Defence

Alexandre Vigneault #63 (1996-2000; 229GP,22G,101PTS)

A 5th round draft pick in the ’96 draft Alexandre Vigneault became a fan favourite with his play making abilities and natural skill. In 229 career games in a Wildcats uniform “mighty mouse” became an elite offensive defenseman. He racked up 123 points in his 4 seasons with the Wildcats. One of the original members of the Wildcats organisation who help turn the franchise into what it is today.

Brandon Gromley #3  (2008-present) 155GP, 26G,79A,104PTS

The 1^st overall pick in the QMJHL entry draft in 2008 Brandon Gormley was a make work project for Danny Flynn for all of 5 seconds of his first shift in the QMJHL. The Murray River PEI native has already solidified himself as one of the best natural quarterbacks on special teams and has already matched his career high in goals with 10 including 6 power play goals. The 13^th overall pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft by Phoenix, Gormley as a 17 year old played a big role in the Wildcats second Presidents Cup victory in 4 years last season.

*Stats as of Febuary 19, 2011

Daniel Macleod   #8   (1996-1999) 231GP,9G,42A,51PTS

The Westville Nova Scotia native spent 3 1/2 seasons with the Wildcats from 96-00. One of the toughest defensemen in Wildcats history. Known for his leadership and thunderous hits, MacLeod played in a total of 234 games and piled up 611 penalty minutes . Also played in the now defunct QMJHL all-star game back in 2000.

Keith Yandle      #3  (2005-2006) 66GP, 25G,59A,84PTS

Although he played only one season in a Wildcats uniform Keith Yandle shattered every Wildcats record for a defenseman including:  Most points with 86 and Goals: 25 both of which happened in the 05-06 season. Also was a member of the Wildcats team that finished the regular season first overall and helped the club to their first ever Presidents Cup title in 2006. Yandle is now an assistant captain with the Phoenix Coyotes also made his first NHL All-Star game appearance this season.

David Savard #58  (2007-2010) 164GP,22G,104PTS

Acquired in a trade from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar David Savard spent 2 ½ years in a Wildcats uniform and last year set a Wildcats record for assists for a defenseman with 64. Was the CHL defenseman of the year in 09-10 helping the Wildcats to their second Memorial Cup appearance in Brandon, Manitoba last May.

Mark Barberio #44  (2006-2010) 220GP,44G,158PTS

Picked-up by the Wildcats in a trade that sent Luc Bourdon to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Mark Barberio became a steady work horse on the back end for the Wildcats. In 220 regular season games he complied a total of  158 points including 44 goals. He was a huge part in the teams second Presidents Cup victory in 2010.

James Sanford  #5   (2001-2004)  231GP,55G,126A,181PTS

The Alma New Brunswick native was acquired by the Wildcats in the 2000-2001 season.  He previously held the team record for most goals by a defenseman with 19 in the 2001-2002 season. He was a key member of the Wildcats squad that made their first Presidents Cup final appearance in 2004 before bowing out to the Gatineau.

Andrew MacDonald  #4  (2005-2007) 133GP,20G,84A,104PTS

The smoth skating defenceman from Judique, Nova Scotia, was free-agent invitee from the 2005 season. He made the squad to be part of the Memorial Cup being hosted by the Wildcats that season. Partnered up with Keith Yandle the two complimented each other extremely well in the only season they played together. In his 2 seasons in Moncton, MacDonald was a Presidents Cup winner and a Memorial Cup runner-up. He played 133 regular season games and compiled a total of 104 points between 2005-2007.

Honourable mention to

Jonathan Desroches #36 (1997-2000) 193GP,12G,84A,96PTS

Spent 3 years in Moncton. A very solid defensive defenseman he was a part of the 99-00 team that defeated the Quebec Remparts in the league Quarter-finals 

Forwards

Steve Bernier (2001-2005; 271GP, 151G, 162A, 313Pts)

 Still the franchise leader in goals, assists and points, Steve Bernier was the first true franchise player in Wildcats history. The first overall selection in the 2001 QMJHL entry draft, this talented power forward had his best offensive season as a Cat at 17, putting up 49 goals and 101 points in the 02-03 season, which led to him becoming a first round pick of the San Jose Sharks in that summer’s NHL Entry Draft. The following year, he put up 17 points in 20 playoff games as the Cats reached the Presidents Cup final for the first time. He followed that up by being one of three rotating captains (with Nathan Saunders and Ryan Salvis) during the early portion of the 04-05 season. If there was one Wildcat who could and did do it all, this was the guy.

Simon Laliberte (1996-2000; 272GP, 132G, 152A, 284Pts)

 A former 1^st round pick in the 1996 entry draft, Laliberte showed promise right away by scoring 51 points as a 16 year old on a very offensively challenged team. Followed that up with a 43 goal campaign at 17 and was over a point a game player for his final three seasons as a Cat. The captain of the 99-00 powerhouse squad during that season’s second half, Laliberte remains the only player in franchise history to record hat tricks in back to back games.

Martins Karsums (2003-2006; 139GP, 78G, 66A, 144Pts)

 This Latvia native remains to date the only European player to play with the franchise for three seasons. A gritty right winger, he potted 30 goals in his rookie season, many of them key tallies down the stretch. Followed that up with 17 points in 20 games to tie for the team lead in playoff scoring. Hampered by an ankle injury that cost him over half of the 04-05 season and the early portion of 05-06, Karsums came roaring back to pot 34 goals in 49 games during the regular season. Not to be outdone, his 7 game winners (including OT winners in Games 2 and 5 vs. Quebec in the finals) netted him the Guy Lafleur trophy as playoffs MVP as the Cats won their first Presidents Cup. Followed that up with the game winner in the team’s first round robin game at the Memorial Cup versus the Vancouver Giants.

Sebastien Roger (1995-1999; 204GP,128G, 143A, 271Pts)

Originally drafted by the Moncton Alpines, Roger set benchmarks for offensive output that few in franchise history have surpassed. His 97-98 season remains his greatest one as a Cat as his 53 goals and 114 points remain single season team records. He would follow that up with 13 points in 10 playoff games as the Cats upset Chicoutimi in round one, Roger scoring a hat trick in the series clincher. Still third on the franchise’s all time scoring list and usually remembered best as a goal scorer, Roger nonetheless holds the record for most assists in one game with six – a feat he accomplished twice.

Karl Gagne (2001-2004; 209GP, 64G, 135A, 199Pts)

This second round pick in the 2001 QMJHL Entry Draft may just be the most underrated player in franchise history. Never flashy but consistently productive, Gagne sits forth on the franchise’s all time scoring list thanks to three quiet yet productive seasons riding shotgun with Steve Bernier. Overshadowed by the likes of Bernier, Corey Crawford and Sanford for much of his career, Gagne nonetheless led the team in scoring in 03-04 with 84 points, then followed that up by tying Bernier and Martins Karsums with the team lead in playoff points with 20.

Jonathan Roy (1999-2001; 76GP, 54G, 57A, 111Pts)

This high scoring center remains one of the most inspiring stories in team history. After a 125 point regular season split between the Cats and Drummondville, Roy was diagnosed with testicular cancer during the 2000 playoffs. He would persevere to return two months into the 00-01 season and using his tremendous release, netted 29 goals and 58 points in 45 games on a club deep into rebuilding mode. The first Cat to win a CHL award, Roy was voted the most gentlemanly junior player in the country for the 99-00 season.

Patrick Yetman (1999-2001; 136GP, 51G, 102A, 153Pts)

This Newfoundland native was acquired from Cape Breton for a 6^th round draft pick in the summer of ’99 and became a vital cog on the 99-00 squad, player key minutes while several players were at NHL training camps early in the season, then settling into a steady checking line player and secondary scorer thereafter. One of the few holdovers on the 00-01 team, Yetman became just the second player to net 100 points in a season. Among his 101 points was a then franchise record 68 assists.

Jerome Samson (2004-2006; 163GP, 45G, 76A, 121Pts)

Known as “The Chairmen of the Boards” for his unparalleled play along the wall, Samson was originally a 2^nd round pick of the Cats in 2003. A vital checking line player during the President’s Cup winning 05-06 campaign, Samson thrived as the playoffs wore on when he was asked to fill more substantial roles in the absence of a number of key forwards to injury. Traded in December, 2006 as the final part of the Luc Bourdon deal, Samson scored four goals in his emotional final game in a Cats sweater.

David Comeau (1996-1999; 240GP, 62G, 102A, 164Pts)

One of the earliest in a line of outstanding captains the franchise has produced, Comeau could go a little bit of everything, be it score (10 points in 10 playoff games in 1998, 15 or more goals in three straight seasons), or play the physical game (no fewer than 112 PIMS in any of his 3-1/2 seasons). A part of the blockbuster trade with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan that sent the likes of Francois Beauchemin and Mathieu Benoit to Moncton, Comeau’s impact on the team was best exemplified after the Wildcats defeated his Titan in the first round of the playoffs that year. The emotional outpouring for the former Cat captain during the ceremonial handshakes that year remain one of the more endearing moments in team history.

Mathieu Betournay (2001-2004; 211GP, 72G, 73A, 145Pts)

Christian Larue used to always say about Mathieu Betournay that “what you see is what you get” and nothing could be truer. Obtained in a deal with Chicoutimi in 2001, Betournay steadily improved as the seasons went by, a solid two way center who scored points through sheer hard work and determination. His hard work paid off the most during his 20 year old season when Betournay followed his 33 goal regular season up with a team leading 11 goals during the team’s march to it’s first President’s Cup final appearance.

Scott Brannon (2007-2010; 191GP, 77G, 53A, 130Pts)

The final piece of the deal that sent Luc Bourdon to Cape Breton in January, 2007, Brannon was a former 6^th overall draft pick by the Eagles in the QMJHL draft. After scoring 8 goals during his first season with the Cats, Brannon exploded to record seasons of 34 and 35 goals respectively while all the while putting to use his skill as a hard checking winger. Known for his bullet shot down the wing, Brannon would captain the club to the 2010 Presidents Cup, his empty netter sealing the deal in the Cats 7-4 win in Game 6 of the finals versus Saint John. One of the better two way forwards in franchise history.

Stephane Goulet (2004-2006; 136GP, 73G, 67A, 140Pts)

Obtained in a trade with Quebec prior to the 2004 season, Goulet first showed signs of offensive flair with the Cats after posting 12 points in 10 playoff games in 2005. Not to be outdone, Goulet became one of the key offensive cogs to a Wildcats club that won 52 games in 05-06, won the President’s Cup and reached the Memorial Cup finals. Playing on a line with gifted center Philipe Dupuis, Goulet potted 51 goals that season, becoming just the second player in franchise history to crack the half century plateau. He would then post 15 points in 13 playoff games during his injury shortened postseason stint. He remains one of the greatest players in franchise history when working in close.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Christian Gaudet (2003-2007; 258GP, 42G, 68A, 110Pts)

The only player to serve as captain for two full seasons, Gaudet was a former 11^th round pick in the QMJHL Entry Draft (2003). The Memramcook native led the team to the 2006 Presidents Cup and remains one of the most proficient checking line players in franchise history.

Matt Eagles (2005-2009; 219GP, 77G, 82A, 159Pts)

Another late round draft pick (9^th round, 2005) who became team captain (08-09) Eagles was the last remaining player from the 06 Presidents Cup team still on the club at the time of his graduation. A solid two way forward, he posted back to back seasons of 25 or more goals at 19 and 20 while leading the 08-09 squad to one of the greatest starts to the season in league history.

Colin Circelli (2000-2002; 135GP, 45G, 83A, 128Pts)

An Oshawa, Ontario native, Circelli was a free agent invite to a Wildcats team that was in a deep rebuild to start the 00-01 season. Despite playing on mediocre clubs, Circelli would put up respectable numbers, including 71 points in 68 games in 01-02 as an overager on a team featuring a then 16 year old Steve Bernier. |Circelli used his Wildcat career as a springboard to a successful hockey career with the St. FX X-Men, culminating with a national championship in 2004.

We would love to hear your comment if there is anyone on the list that you dont agree with and if there is someone who you think should be there please let us know we would like to hear what you think.