Junior Nip Cats in Shootout
Published on February 28, 2011 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Moncton Wildcats News Release
The Moncton Wildcats turned in a terrific performance but could not hang on as they fell to the Montreal Junior 6-5 in a shootout Sunday night in Montreal. The Wildcats came back from two, two goal deficits to force overtime only to fall in the shootout. Louis Leblanc led the Junior with a hat trick, Trevor Parkes and Victor Hertzberg also scored for the Junior. Jean Francois Berube picked up the win in nets stopping 24 of 29 shots. Marek Hrivik continued his hot hand adding two goals tonight upping his season total to 33 goals, Brandon Gormley also with a pair, Allain Saulnier had a goal and two assists while brother Alex chipped in with four assists to give him 80 points on the season. Brandon Thibeau started his 4th consecutive game stopping 33 of 38 shots to record the shootout loss.
The Wildcats got on the board first as Alex pounced on a Junior turnover fed his brother Allain who blasted a slap shot past Berube at 3:10. The Cats then got into penalty trouble and Leblanc capitalized at 14:09 as the Junior 5 on 3 advantage was just coming to an end.
The Junior started the 2nd period with yet another two man advantage and capitalized on both powerplays. First it was Parkes banging home his own rebound 29seconds into the period. Leblanc scored his 2nd of the night on yet another powerplay 51 seconds into the frame and the Cats found themselves behind 3-1. Shortly after the Cats found themselves on a powerplay of their own, Gormley ripped a slap shot just under the bar at 6:50 to make it 3-2. As yet another Wildcat powerplay was ending Alex Saulnier slap shot from the right face off circle was stopped by Berube but the rebound deflected of Hrivik to tie the game at three 12:27 into the 2nd period. The Junior regained the lead at 15:17 as Hertzberg successful converted on a penalty shot.
Leblanc scored his 3rd goal of the game 6:27 into the third period on another powerplay as two Junior were left infront of Thibeau. With the Wildcats on the powerplay once again Gormley slap shot from the point found its way past Berube to get the Cats within one at 9:21. The Wildcats tied the game at 13:28 as Hrivik skated into the Junior zone made a nifty deke around a Junior and beat Berube high short side on the backhand.
In the overtime period the Junior had a great opportunity as Daniel Milan took a kneeing penalty. However, a powerplay which went four for nine on the night could not capitalize setting the stage for the shootout. In the shootout Hertzberg and Jeremy scored for the Junior while Allain Saulnier was the loan Cat to beat Berube as the Junior escaped with the two points.
The Wildcats will now travel home following a very successful road trip which they picked up five of a possible six points. Their next game is Tuesday night when the host the Halifax Moosehead 7pm at the Moncton Coliseum.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2011
- QMJHL Week in Review - Lewiston MAINEiacs
- Marcel-Robert Trophy finalists revealed - QMJHL
- Levesque, Saulnier and Gibson named TELUS three stars of the week - QMJHL
- Junior Nip Cats in Shootout - Moncton Wildcats
- Hat Trick for Louis Leblanc - Montreal Juniors
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