Cataractes, Phoenix split first two games of series
The 2016 QMJHL Playoffs began Friday night as all eight series’ were on the ice for game one. At the Centre Gervais Auto, it was the Cataractes welcoming the Sherbrooke Phoenix to town to kick-off their best-of-seven series.
Two powerplay goals in the opening period gave the visiting Phoenix an early 2-0 lead on the road. Daniel Audette and Carl Neill were the scorers.
Mathieu Olivier and Samuel Girard set up Brandon Gignac a little over three minutes into the second and he found twine to cut the gap down to one. Gignac later assisted on Alexis D’Aoust’s game-tying goal at 14:49 of the frame.
Guillaume Gauthier scored the eventual game-winner on a powerplay, the Phoenix’s third man advantage marker of the game, in the final three minutes of period two.
Game one went to Sherbrooke as they took the 1-0 series lead.
On Saturday night, game two was on deck with the Cataractes looking to get back on track and even up the series.
Guillaum Gauthier had different plans however. The 20-year-old winger scored three minutes into the game and later potted another marker at 4:10 of the second period, a powerplay goal. That gave the visitors a 2-0 lead for the second consecutive game.
Three goals in the second half of the middle frame put the Cataractes in front and eventually give them the win, 3-2. Dennis Yan, Dmytro Timashov, and Alexis D’Aoust got the goals.
Philippe Cadorette made 30 saves to backstop the home side to victory and tie the series at 1-1. The series now shifts to Sherbrooke.
