The Olympiques kick off a five-game road trip

RIMOUSKI – The Gatineau Olympiques begin a five-game road trip, starting tonight in Bas-Saint-Laurent against the Rimouski Océanic.

The Olympiques (18-27-3-3) and the Océanic (26-21-3-0) will meet for the third time this season. The two teams split victories on December 1 and 2 in Gatineau.

For Serge Beausoleil’s men, the challenge will be significant, as the Océanic, ranked 8th overall, have won four of their last six games. Coach Joël Perreault’s team is young, but can count on a first-rate goaltender in Quentin Miller.

For the Olympiques, the playoff race is underway, and points will be precious until the very last game of the regular season, as Serge Beausoleil explained earlier this week.

“Every game counts for us. We’re going to Rimouski to play some big hockey. Every point is crucial for our team, so I think that’s what we have to focus on.”

This will be Beausoleil’s first return to the city he has called home for over a decade. As general manager and head coach of the Océanic, Beausoleil has compiled a record of over 400 victories in 765 games, in addition to leading the team to the finals twice, and being crowned champion in the 2014-2015 season.

“I’ll be very happy to be back in Rimouski. It’s a city that I love, that I’ve loved and that I’ll continue to love. However, we’re going there for bussiness, and we’ll have to be ready to play hockey. It’s not my return, or that of Gaudio, and the other former players that must be prioritized, but rather being focused on the task in hand.” – Serge Beausoleil.

Friday’s game will be the first of two at the Colisée Financière Sun Life, when the two teams cross swords again on Saturday at 4pm.

Puck drop for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7pm.