Mooseheads fall to Saguenéens in first round of the playoffs

The Chicoutimi Saguenéens brought the Halifax Mooseheads’ season to an end on April 1, in the first round of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League playoffs.

After starting the season with seven wins and three losses, the Mooseheads had their eyes on their second Gilles-Courteau Trophy, formerly known as the President Cup. 

Contributions from standout players Oleg Kulebyakin and Shawn Carrier were key to the team’s early success.

“It’s my first season, but it’s very important for me because it was a very good season,” said Kulebyakin. “I want to stay here and win a cup.”

But after a couple of key injuries down the stretch, the honeymoon phase was over, and the Mooseheads finished the year with a record of 29-29-6, sliding into the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.

It was enough to get the Mooseheads into the playoffs, but the second-seeded Saguenéens, who dominated the regular season with a 49-10-5 record, proved too much of a first-round challenge.

Chicoutimi came out wheeling and dealing, winning games one and two of the best-of-seven series, 8-1 and 2-1, respectively.

This didn’t faze the Mooseheads.

“We liked our overall game [in game two],” said Liam Kilfoil, Mooseheads assistant captain. “Everyone’s buying in and playing well.” 

In game three, the Saguenéens continued to dominate. They quickly stormed out to a three-goal lead in the first seven minutes, and a couple of good saves from goalie Lucas Beckman kept the Mooseheads from scoring.

Saguenéens captain Emmanuel Vermette scored three goals and assisted another.

“You have some games where things will go your way, but I think everybody played a part in this game,” said Vermette.

The Saguenéens won 6-1, taking a 3-0 series lead, and never gave the Mooseheads a chance to get back into the game.

“It’s still one game at a time,” Vermette said after the third game. “We want to play our best every game, so nothing changes for us.”

The Mooseheads had to recover quickly for game four. 

“It’s do or die, so you have to lay it on the line,” said Kilfoil.

Fans had déjà vu as the Saguenéens took advantage in the first six minutes. Émile Ricard potted the team’s first goal. 

Despite goalie Owen Bresson’s best efforts, Tomas Lavoie hammered a slapshot from the point, scoring his first of the playoffs and extending the Saguenéens’ lead to two.

The second period saw an offensive onslaught from the Saguenéens, as they potted four goals.

“We’re confident,” said Saguenéens player Maxim Massé. “We’ve been confident pretty much all year. We have a good team.”

Anaheim Ducks prospect Massé was the leading point scorer this year in the QMJHL, amassing 102 points in only 63 games. 

Chicoutimi kept their foot on the gas, scoring two more goals, winning the game 8-1 and sweeping the series 4-0.

“They were a really good team, so we just tried our best, and they were better than us,” said Mooseheads left-winger Samuel Rousseau.

Rousseau will play NCAA Division I hockey at Long Island University next year. The final playoff game marked the end of his time as a Moosehead.

“Everyone was awesome,” said Rousseau. “The fans were crazy, and I just enjoyed being here.”

The Mooseheads — who own two first-round draft picks — are now looking forward to the QMJHL priority draft, which they are hosting for the first time in franchise history.