QMJHL playoffs: the Drakkar has no room for error against the Wildcats

BET À DAY

BAIE-COMEAU | Backed up against the wall, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar will not have the right to make mistakes, Monday evening, during game number 6 of their round of 16 series against the Moncton Wildcats.

Trailing 3-2 in the matchup, the crew members have already put an end to the recent heartbreaking 3-2 loss (in overtime) and are focusing on the next matchup. 

“All of our energy is focused on Game 6 and the players are well aware of that. In the playoffs, you have to live in the present moment, execute the small details well without looking too far ahead,” repeated head coach Jean-François Grégoire. 

Asked after Sunday's morning training session, the boss behind the bench expects his men to react well. “We won the last game we played here. Our record on the road (11 in 14) over the past few weeks proves that we can rise to the challenge. 

Very intense and balanced since the kickoff, the series gives right to quality hockey. “Both teams have the same goal. Opportunism in attack will be a very important aspect. The chances of scoring are there, but we will have to find a way to complete our games,” added the manager. 

The Drakkar, which will be without the services of striker Matthew MacDonald (injury serious on the shoulder), will try to build on his success in game number 4 when he had built a three-goal lead in the first period. 

Victim of a bet in dubious check from defenseman Oscar Plandowski in Game 5, MacDonald had no chance to protect himself. The gesture went unpunished on the ice, but the ship's management sent the video to the league's disciplinary committee anyway. No concrete decision had yet been made. 

In brief

• The two teams shared a plane to return to Moncton on Saturday .
• Used strictly during power plays, defender Niks Fenenko will try to increase his number of appearances during this decisive game.
• If the Nord-Côtiers win, the final match of the series will be played on Tuesday evening on the ice rink at the Center Avenir.