2025 QMJHL Playoffs | Océanic vs. Cataractes Preview

Last year, these two clubs were vying for the hosting rights of the 2025 Memorial Cup. This year, they’re vying for a spot in the 2025 Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final. The Shawinigan Cataractes and Rimouski Océanic are preparing to face off in their best-of-seven Semi-Final series starting Friday night in Rimouski.

The Océanic punched its ticket to round three after a first-round sweep of the Charlottetown Islanders and a six-game Quarter-Final triumph against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Throughout the postseason, the ‘Nics big guns have been firing with Jacob Matieu and Jonathan Fauchon combining for 11 goals, including seven power play markers, and 27 points. Pier-Olivier Roy has taken charge offensively from the blue line with a point-per-game clip, while the play of Olivier Théberge at every area of the ice has proven increasingly vital. Goaltender Mathis Langevin has been as steady as any player through two rounds, providing both solid netminding and a tremendous boost to the team overall. Perhaps the story of the Océanic to this point in the playoffs is resilience. With injuries to several key players, the depth of this squad has been tested more and more as the second season rolls on. So far, it’s passed those tests with flying colors. This is Rimouski’s first trip to the Semis since losing to Rouyn-Noranda in 2019. The club will be looking for a trip to the Final for the first time since winning the league title back in 2015.

The Cataractes got to this point with a five-game triumph over the Val-d’Or Foreurs in the first round and a Quarter-Final sweep of the Sherbrooke Phoenix. As usual, the offense runs through Matvei Gridin, the 2024 Calgary Flames first-rounder, who’s tied for second in points and tied for third in goals entering third-round play. However, the supporting cast in Shawinigan has proven crucial in what has been a near-perfect postseason record. Félix Lacerte, Yoan Loshing and Cole Chandler have been consistent threats, Lacerte providing the overtime winner that sent the Cats to the Semis. While Jordan Tourigny and Isaac Ménard provide timely plays in all zones, the continued strong efforts of Mathieu Plante, including key power play minutes, has added to the Shawinigan arsenal. Between the pipes, Mathys Fernandez has made all the saves necessary to ride an 8-1 record through two rounds. This is the first time the Cataractes have reached round three since 2022, when they won the organization’s first QMJHL postseason crown.

The season series was tilted in Shawinigan’s favor, to say the least. While the Océanic picked up a 3-1 win on January 17, the Cataractes, who hope to return to Rimouski for this year’s CHL Championship, posted victories of 5-2 on November 3, 10-2 on December 29 and 7-2 on March 16. This will be the third playoff encounter between the two clubs; the Océanic took the two previous series, both first-round encounters, in 2004 and 2021, respectively.

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Team Comparison (Regular Season):