Cats face a semifinal dogfight with Huskies
It’s the best in the East versus the West Division champs as the Wildcats meet the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL semifinals in Game 1 on Thursday night! These cats & dogs have battled 3 previous times in the Playoffs, with the Huskies holding a 2-1 edge — 2005 – ROU 4 MON 2; 2010 – MON 4 ROU 1; and 2016 – ROU 4 MON 2.
Reminder: It’s a BLACKOUT! Fans are encouraged to wear black to all Cats home games.
The Wildcats (53-9-2-0, 108 pts) come into Round 3 healthy & fairly rested after a 5-game series win over Baie-Comeau. The Cats took the first 2 games at home, before the Drakkar came alive in Game 3. Games 4 & 5 were tightly contested with Moncton grabbing a 2OT win, then needing a late game-winner from Preston Lounsbury to finally sink the Drakkar.
Cats super sophomore Caleb Desnoyers leads the way for the Cats & the QMJHL with 20 points (6G, 14A) in just 9 games. Gabe Smith sits second in team scoring with 4 goals & 7 assists. Julius Sumpf (7G, 3A), Juraj Pekarcik (5G, 5A) and Etienne Morin (1G, 9A) are right behind Smith with 10 points each.
WIldcat goalie tandem Mathis Rousseau (2.40 GAA, .902 SV%) & Rudy Guimond (2.03 GAA, .922 SV% ) have shared the 8 Playoff victories. Guimond has 5 and Rousseau 3.
The Cats & Huskies met twice this season with Rouyn-Noranda taking both — 4-1 on DEC 7 at the Den, then 6-5 on JAN 11 at the Aréna Glencore. Husky Bill Zonnon had a 5-pt night in the 2nd game, with Cats Juraj Pekarcik adding a hattrick for Moncton.
The 2024-2025 Huskies (37-19-3-5, 82 Pts) entered the Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the West, and finished 6th overall in league play. Rouyn-Noranda dispatched the Olympiques in 5 games and rolled over Halifax (who upset the Drummondville Voltigeurs in 7 games) in a 4-0 sweep. Like the Wildcats, they have an 8-1 Playoff record through 2 rounds.
Rouyn-Noranda boast many offensive weapons. Power forward & highly-rated NHL Draft prospect Bill Zonnon sits 6th in QMJHL Playoff scoring with 12 points (6G, 6A), followed closely by former Titan defenceman Ty Higgins (3G, 8A) and winger Antonin Verreault (2G, 9A) with 11 each.
The Huskies are tough to beat in net — rookie goalie Samuel Meloche put up 30 wins in the regular season and has an 8-1 Playoff record to go with his Q-leading 1.41 GAA and .932 save %.
Don’t miss the Cats in QMJHL semifinal action — Yes, it’s down to just 4 teams! Tickets will go fast, so buy early.
Save on tickets with a Family 4-Pack — 2 adults & 2 youths for $69.64 +tax/fees. Add extra youths for $17.41 each. Available at the Avenir Centre Box Office or ticketmaster.ca.
Take advantage of new 60 Minute Powerplay pricing at the Avenir Centre — $4 hot dogs, $3 Aquafina bottles of water, and $5.75 Moosehead Light & Alpine (355mL cans). The Avenir Centre doors open at 5:30pm — prices in effect for 60 minutes after doors open for the game (5:30 to 6:30pm).
Our 50/50 raffle has a $25,000 jackpot guarantee.
The Moose Light Ice Level Bar will not be set up for this game, as seating will be available behind the net.
THINGS TO KNOW FOR THURSDAY
- The 50/50 raffle has a $25,000 Jackpot guarantee. Don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets online now or at the game. We accept cash, debit, Visa or Mastercard at the arena.
- DJ Psycadelix & Lynden Steeves on the Wildcats organ
- Access your season seats or flex tickets through your Ticketmaster Wildcats Account Manager.
- Avenir Centre doors open at 5:30pm.
- Check out the poster station in the Avenir Centre lobby — kids can make their own signs for the game!
- The Roar Store Item of the Game is blue Wildcats crewneck! — get 20% off!
- The Jersey Raffle is for a white #15 COLLARD game-worn autographed jersey.
