Shawinigan splits first weekend of action
The Cataractes opened up their first weekend of action in Abitibi facing the Huskies, the defending Memorial Cup champions, and the Foreurs. In Rouyn-Noranda, too many turnovers in the defensive zone, especially in the first two periods, cost Daniel Renaud’s team the game. In the end, Shawinigan lost 6-3.
The day after, against the Foreurs, with Jérémy Martin back in the lineup, the Cataractes played a solid defensive game and prevailed 2-0. Antoine Coulombe stood tall in front of his net and earned the shutout, the first of his career in the QMJHL.
Ponomarev shines in QMJHL debut
Fans and experts were excited to see the CHL debut of Vasily Ponomarev, 4th overall Euro draft last june. And they weren’t disappointed as the young Russian superstar took only 6 minutes to notch his first career goal in the Q. Finishing the game with 7 shots on net, he was without a doubt the best Shawinigan forward on the ice.
Another rookie managed to score in first career goal, and that’s William Veillette. The Lévis native tipped a shot from the blue line to beat Zachary Émond. The young center added an assist to finish the game with two points and a +1 rating.
It was a much more difficult night for veteran netminder Justin Blanchette who gave up 6 goals on 21 shots. Daniel Renaud chose to switch goaltenders and send Antoine Coulombe in the net to start the third period. He blocked all the shots he faced.
First career shutout for Coulombe
The Cataractes needed to bounce back and young netminder Antoine Coulombe proved to everybody that he was the real deal. Despite having to make big saves in the second and third period, Coulombe made 25 saves to get his first ever shutout in the Q.
His young teammate Olivier Nadeau, another one who played for the Lévis Chevaliers in MAAA, scored his first career goal when he jumped on a juicy rebound near Jonathan Lemieux during a first period powerplay.
Fans had to wait at the end of the game to see another goal in this one. Jérémy Martin, in an empty net, sealed the deal for the visitors. But, if it wasn’t for Jonathan Lemieux, the Foreurs’ goalie, Shawinigan’s offense would have gotten way more goals.
