Tkachev If You Can
Two power play goals by Vladimir Tkachev helped lift the Quebec Remparts to a huge 4-1 win over the Moncton Wildcats in game one of the QMJHL semi-final series played in front of 3374 fans at the Moncton Coliseum on Thursday night.
The Wildcats were hoping the adrenaline from Tuesdays game seven victory over Halifax would carry over into game one of the series however the Remparts who looked very focused after a six day break after sweeping the Charlottetown Islanders in the quarter finals.
The league forced the first game of the series to be played on Thursday in order to avoid a building availability problem in Quebec next week. Moncton who wanted to begin the series on Friday did not let the lack of turnaround time affect their play as they battled hard against the high flying Remparts early falling just short and now trailing the best of seven series 1-0.
This marks the second straight series the Wildcats have lost the opening game of the series. The Cats dropped a 7-3 decision to Halifax in the quarter finals.
Aside from Tkachev’s two goals the Remparts got a pair of goals from New York Rangers draft pick, Anthony Duclair (3,4) while Marc-Olivier Roy chipped in with a pair of assists.
Kyle Tibbo had the only goal for Moncton who lead 1-0 after one period but were tied 1-1 after 2 periods of play.
After a sub-par regular season posting just 21 wins in 41 games, Zachary Fucale has rebounded during the playoffs. Fucale stopped 26 of 27 Moncton Wildcat shots to pick up his 8th win in 10 playoff games this season.
Alex Dubeau, who was amazing in goal for Moncton winning game seven of the Halifax series, deserved a better result. Dubeau made 40 saves on 44 Quebec shots in taking the loss including 18 shots in the first period alone.
The Wildcats were 0-5 on the power play while Quebec 2-5 went with the extra attacker.
This series marks the fifth time the Moncton Wildcats and Quebec have met in the playoffs. In 1997-98 they split a two game second round divisional series. In 1999-2000 Moncton beat Quebec in 7-games while the Remparts returned the favor ousting Moncton 4-2 in 2002-03. In 2005-06 Moncton defeated Quebec in 6-games on their way to the President Cup however the Remparts captured the Memorial Cup that year defeating the host Wildcats in the championship game.
The Wildcats are still looking for their first national championship and are hoping to get back to the Memorial Cup for the first time since 2010 in Brandon Manitoba.
Game two of the series will be played at the Moncton Coliseum Saturday afternoon at4:00 pm before switching provinces for games three and four at Le Colisee on Monday April 27th and Tuesday April 28th. Both games will be 7:00 EST and can be heard on CITA-FM with Roger White
by Roger White
Play by Play Voice of Wildcats
