Simpson nets hat trick in Chicoutimi
Bathurst, NB, Friday, February 26th, 2016 – Strapping on their skates for their second of three games in as many nights, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan were in Chicoutimi to take on the Saguenéens. Fans were treated to a suspenseful game, which the Titan won by a three to one score.
Dominant the previous evening without getting on the scoresheet, Mark Simpson was certainly rewarded for his efforts on this night. Indeed, the Titan forward scored all three of his team’s goals, his first hat trick against Quebec Major Junior Hockey League competition. Simpson’s trio of goals came on the strength of five shots on net, which also treated him to a plus two differential. Christophe Boivin, Jordan Maher, Jeffrey Viel and Daniil Miromanov each picked up an assist on one of Simpson’s goals, while Nicholas Roy was the lone Chicoutimi skater to find the back of the net.
Both guardians of the gates offered scintillating performances, with netminder Julio Billia turning away 23 shots for the Saguenéens while Reilly Pickard made 26 saves at the other end of the ice.
The plays of the week, brought to you by Reilly Pickard
Sensational on the previous night, Pickard was equally astonishing during this game, coming up with save after save despite the Chicoutimi offense throwing everything but the kitchen sink at him. Indeed, the Titan’s masked man was particularly vigilant in the second period when he stopped three consecutive shots, as well as in the final frame, when he stole a guaranteed goal by kicking out his right pad as the opposing skater fired a shot after having received a pass from the opposite corner.
What a sequence
With this victory, the Titan have now picked up nine out of a possible 10 points over their last five games. This sequence is made all the more impressive when considering that four of their five opponents sat ahead of the Titan in the standings prior to their match-ups.
The Generation Hockey skaters will have the opportunity to stretch their streak tomorrow night, as they travel to the Videotron Centre in Quebec City to face-off with the Remparts’ in their new home.
Back home for March break
Northern New Brunswick’s favorite team will then be back on home ice on Sunday, March 6th, as the Rimouski Oceanic will be the visitors.
And on that afternoon, Destination Bathurst will be present to draw a number of prizes, including five nights in different hotels. Furthermore, the “Violons d’Acadie” will be on hand for a musical performance before the game and during intermissions, while the Richelieu Maximus Boulevard will offer a range of activities for kids, such as face painting, a coloring station and much more.
Plus, families will be able to take advantage of a special offer of one adult and two child tickets at only $19.99.
$10,000 to the winning seat
Once more, the total sum for the winning seat will be at $10,000 should attendance be at or above 2,500 fans.
Tickets are available at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre box office, by phone at 549-3200 or 1-877-549-3200 or online at admission.com
Game notes
Acadie-Bathurst Titan line combinations
Jeffrey Viel – Mark Simpson – Daniil Miromanov
Christophe Boivin – Antoine Morand – Vladimir Kuznetsov
Jordan Maher – Samuel L’Italien – Egor Popov
Nicholas Blanchard – Emanuel Aucoin – Jason Bell
Garrett Johnston – Guillaume Brisebois
Mark Trickett – Félix Boivin
Nicolas Dumulong – Jake Barter
Reilly Pickard
Tanner Somers
Players not in uniform: Cole Rafuse, Dawson Theede, Francis Thibeault, Marc Audet & Elijah Francis
Power Play
Chicoutimi: 1/5
Acadie-Bathurst: 1/3
Face-offs won
Chicoutimi: 35
Acadie-Bathurst: 29
Body checks
Chicoutimi: 16
Acadie-Bathurst: 10
