Rivalry Week: “A real treat for hockey fans” – Serge Beausoleil
This weekend, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League will offer one of the highlights of the season. As part of Rivalry Week, several teams will go head-to-head in home and away games for what is sure to be exciting hockey for fans.
THEQMJHL.CA presents to you three rivalries to watch out for.
Océanic (6) Vs. Remparts (13)
They clashed in the regular season, in the President Cup Final, and in the MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament. It took only a few months for the Océanic and the Remparts to learn to dislike each other.
‘It’s very rare to see two teams go up against each other 20 times in the space of a year. We already had a pretty good rivalry, but the 2014-2015 season only served to make it more intense,’ said Océanic coach, Serge Beausoleil.
They will be battling for the third time this season. The President Cup champs have taken the win in both of their first two encounters.
‘This isn’t the kind of night where you need a big motivational speech. These are intra-divisional games. Our veterans will be sure to communicate the importance of these kinds of games to our younger players. These kind of games are a real treat for our fans.’
The two teams meet this Friday at Rimouski and on Sunday in Quebec.
Tigres (7) Vs. Cataractes (2)
Only an hour and 10 minute drive separates the two arenas, so it isn’t a surprise that many fans make the trip from one to the other to cheer on their team.
‘We see our fans and we hear them. When we play in Shawinigan, there is no excuse at all. The trip is so short that you cannot possibly use it as an excuse. For us, on a physical level, it’s a home game. The atmosphere in the arena there is always special too,’ opined coach Bruce Richardson, who is in his second season behind the Tigres’ bench.
Every game is important. Games against the Cataractes always give extra motivation.
‘It’s an elite team. Their core has matured and that forces us to want to play up to their level. I’m expecting a great weekend for fans.’
The two teams clash this Friday in Shawinigan, then Sunday at Victoriaville.
Drakkar (18) Vs. Saguenéens (16)
When a team occupies 18th spot in the rankings, every game becomes an intense rivalry. Marco Pietroniro’s team has lost 9 of its first 12 match-ups.
A win this weekend against the Sags would help the team recover their confidence.
‘We want to perform well every night…no matter what team we are playing. For the moment, I’m no more worked up about the Saguenéens than any other team. Perhaps that will come with time…Right now, we just want to win games,’ explained the coach after a 5-0 loss last Saturday.
The two teams face off this Friday in Baie-Comeau and Sunday in Chicoutimi.
