In a thrilling Saturday night of Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League action, the Shawinigan Cataractes emerged victorious against the Saint John Sea Dogs with a score of 6-4 at TD Station in St. John, N.B. Vince Elie showcased an impressive performance, netting two goals and providing one assist, while Kody Dupuis contributed three assists to the team's success.
The Cataractes, boasting a record of 29 wins, 18 losses, 1 overtime loss, and 4 shootout losses, saw additional scoring contributions from Matvei Gridin, who had one goal and two assists, along with singles from Mathieu Plante, Louis-Philippe Fontaine, and Chad Lygitsakos. Despite outshooting the Cataractes 34-33, the Sea Dogs found themselves trailing throughout the match, falling behind 3-2 in the first period and 5-3 heading into the third. The Sea Dogs, who now hold a record of 19 wins and 32 losses, managed to capitalize on one of four power-play opportunities.
In other games across the QMJHL on Saturday, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar secured a strong 6-2 home victory against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Justin Poirier led the Drakkar with two goals and an assist, aided by scoring from Jules Boilard, Aleix Michaud, Evan Courtois, and Louis-Charles Plourde. With a record of 29 wins, 19 losses, 3 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss, the Drakkar overcame a shaky first period, entering the final frame with a 4-2 lead despite being outshot 38-34 by the Huskies, who sit atop the West Division with a record of 28 wins, 15 losses, 3 overtime losses, and 5 shootout losses.
In Boisbrien, the Gatineau Olympiques triumphed over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in a tightly contested shootout match, finishing 2-1. Jeremie Minville delivered the deciding goal during the shootout while Lukas Landry was the sole scorer in regulation for the Olympiques, who now hold a record of 12 wins, 27 losses, 7 overtime losses, and 5 shootout losses. The Armada, on the other hand, stands at 29 wins, 17 losses, 3 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss, with Justin Carbonneau accounting for their only goal in regulation play. Both teams registered 30 shots on goal during the encounter.
Meanwhile, the Rimouski Oceanic defeated the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 4-3, also relying on a shootout for their victory. Eriks Mateiko netted the game-winning shootout goal, while Jonathan Fauchon contributed two goals to the Oceanic's cause. With this win, the Oceanic improved to an impressive record of 37 wins, 12 losses, 1 overtime loss, and 2 shootout losses; while their opponents, the Sagueneens, recorded a scoreline of 29 wins, 12 losses, 3 overtime losses, and 7 shootout losses, with goals from Emile Guite, Emile Ricard, and Maxim Masse.
In Sydney, N.S., the Cape Breton Eagles edged past the Sherbrooke Phoenix with a close score of 5-4. The Eagles showcased a strong offensive performance with two goals from Cole Burbidge and three assists from Lewis Gendron. Alongside them, Xavier Daigle, Jacob Newcombe, and Cam Squires also found the back of the net. The Eagles hold a record of 26 wins, 17 losses, 4 overtime losses, and 3 shootout losses, while the Phoenix, despite the loss, maintains an overall record of 28 wins, 18 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 4 shootout losses, with contributions from Alexis Doucet, Mavrick Lachance, Charles-Antoine Beauregard, and Zachary Paulhus.
In Moncton, N.B., the Moncton Wildcats clinched a 3-1 victory against the Halifax Mooseheads. Adam Fortier-Gendron's decisive goal at 9:06 of the third period broke a 1-1 tie, propelling the Wildcats ahead. They dominated the shot count with 51 total shots compared to the Mooseheads' 18. Markus Vidicek and Maxime Cote also contributed goals for the Wildcats, who maintain a strong record of 40 wins, 9 losses, and 2 overtime losses. William Bent scored the lone goal for the Mooseheads, whose record now stands at 17 wins, 28 losses, 6 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss.
