With 8 games left, Shawinigan still hopes for a spot in the playoffs

It’s becoming more and more difficult for the Shawinigan Cataractes to hope for a playoff spot as the team is entering the last stretch down the road toward the playoffs. With 8 games left, Daniel Renaud’s team is now 6 points behind Val D’Or. Here’s a recap of the team’s last 6 games.

Sherbrooke 5 / Shawinigan 4 OT (February 16th)

Twice in that game, Shawinigan came back! Even tough Sherbrooke scored the game’s first three goals, Vasily Glotov, Alex Plamondon and Anthony Imbeault all scored within 3 minutes to square the game at 3! Then, after watching Sherbrooke take the lead once again, Anthony Imbeault scored his second of the game completing a wonderful feed from Jan Drozg in the last minute of the game. Unfortunately, Marek Zachar notched his 20th of the season in overtime to give the visitors the 2 points.

Baie-Comeau 7 / Shawinigan 2 Final (February 17th)

The Cataractes were all fired up early in the game and Jérémy Martin scored his 4th of the season to put the team ahead on the scoreboard. Sadly, it was the only moment of joy for the locals as Baie-Comeau stroke with 7 goals up to the end of the second period. When the third started, there seemed to be no place for a comeback and, in a loosing cause, Anthony Imbeault scored his 7th of the year mid-way into the period.

Shawinigan 3 / Chicoutimi 4 OT (February 20th)

Vasily Glotov put on a great show in Jonquière to gave his team a chance to steal one point in a 4-3 loss in overtime. Until the very end, every time Chicoutimi would get one past Fitzpatrick, the Cataractes would come back pressing to tie the game. Speaking of Fitzpatrick, he managed to stop 39 shots despite the loss. In the first period of play, Jérémy Manseau pushed a rebound in the net near the end of the first to tie the game at one. On the play, Glotov got his first assist of the game. In the second, it was the captain’s turn to tie the game, again with Glotov’s help! With 5 minutes left to play, Glotov scored a beauty to send everyone in overtime! Unfortunately, Samuel Houde scored his 13th of the season on the first Chicoutimi’s shot in overtime to give the locals the win.

Shawinigan 3 / Baie-Comeau 6 Final (February 21st)

Tough start again for Daniel Renaud’s team as they gave up the game’s first three goals. After 10 minutes of play, it was already 3-0 for Baie-Comeau. Before the end of the end of the period, the Glotov show responded again in spectacular fashion with 2 goals. In the second, after seeing Baie-Comeau put two more on the board, Gabriel Denis scored his 10th of the season to cut the lead. Sadly, the comeback would stop there.

Blainville-Boisbriand 3 / Shawinigan 0 Final (February 23rd)

The third best team in Canada was in town to face the Cataractes and, if a lot of people were expecting the Armada to put on big numbers, it turned out a little bit differently that what was expected. If Blainville completely dominated the outcome of this game (20-4 the shots after 40 minutes of play), Mathieu Bellemare was outstanding giving up only 3 goals and making numerous spectacular saves for Daniel Renaud’s team.

Shawinigan 3 / Sherbrooke 5 Final (February 25th)

Daniel Renaud could count on Vincent Senez’ comeback for this game against the Phoenix. No doubt that the 19 year-old veteran was hungry as he scored twice, added one assist! Unfortunately, ex-Cataractes Mathieu Olivier and Nicolas Poulin had other plans in mind and leaded Sherbrooke with 3 goals in the second and third period to put the game away from Daniel Renaud’s team. Gabriel Denis, with his 11th of the season, was the other player to get one past Reilly Pickard.