Wildcats & Drakkar renew Playoff rivalry in Round 2
The Wildcats & Drakkar will meet again in a post-season battle with everything on the line. The 2 teams have faced off 3 previous times; all in Round 1. The Cats have prevailed each time — 2004 – MON 4 BAC 0; 2019 – MON 4 BAC 3; and 2023 – MON 4 BAC 3 on a Max Barbashev Game 7 OT winner.
Reminder: It’s a BLACKOUT! Fans are encouraged to wear black to all Cats home games.
The Wildcats (53-9-2-0, 108 pts) enter Round 2 after a 4-game sweep of the Remparts but it wasn’t an easy feat — three 1-goal games, including 2 OT victories.
High-ranked NHL draft prospect Caleb Desnoyers has led the way for the Cats with 8 points (2G, 6A) in 4 games. Big Gabe Smith has had the hot hand around the net with 4 goals and 2 assists. Etienne Morin (1G, 5A) and Dyllan Gill (1G, 4A) have chipped in from the blue line.
The Cats keepers — Mathis Rousseau & Rudy Guimond — have formed a formidable tandem so far in the Playoffs, and down the final stretch of the regular season. The duo shared the 4 Round 1 wins, 2 each, in alternating starts.
Cats winger Juraj Pekarcik has had the Drakkar’s number this season with 3 goals in the two regular season matchups. Pekarcik potted the winner in a 2-1 Cats win on NOV 10, and added a pair of goals in a 5-3 Cats win 2 weeks later on NOV 23.
The 2024-2025 Drakkar (36-23-4-1, 77 Pts) entered the Playoffs as the 4th seed in the East, and finished 7th overall in league play. Baie-Comeau are coming off a 6-game series win over #5 Cape Breton. When you add in a 5-OT game 5, the Drakkar technically played more than 7 games in Round 1!
Winger Justin Gendron (4G, 2A) & NYR prospect Raoul Boilard (2G,4A) led the Drakkar in Round 1 scoring with 6 points each. Czech import & NJ Devils draft pick Matyas Melovksy had 5 points versus the Eagles. Melovsky was the leading scorer for the regular season with 83 points (26G, 57A).
The Drakkar are without sniper Justin Poirier, a Carolina Hurricanes draft pick. Poirier (43G, 37A) last played on March 9 and was slated to miss 4 weeks with his injury. He could return shortly to give Baie-Comeau a mid-series boost. Also out is top-scoring defenceman & Kraken prospect Alexis Bernier. Bernier (14G, 32A) last played March 15 and the Drakkar announced he will not play in the Playoffs.
Save on tickets with a Family 4-Pack — 2 adults & 2 youths for $57.64 +tax/fees. Add extra youths for $14.41 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 FRIDAY
- 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 black CCM t-shirt! — get 20% off!
- The Jersey Raffle is for a St. Pats green team-autographed jersey.
