Here we are: Friday night the Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final between the Quebec Remparts and the Halifax Mooseheads officially begins. The top two teams overall will battle it out for a spot in the Memorial Cup tournament starting May 26 in Kamloops, BC.
Overview of the current forces and of course my prediction for this last series.
• Also read: ‘That’s what I wish for them most in the world’: Patrick Roy hopes his players will hold up the Gilles Courteau trophy
attacker
Photo Stevens LeBlanc
Jordan Dumais
The Mooseheads finished the regular season with the most goals scored (335), while the Remparts were the fourth-best offense with 286 goals scored. Undoubtedly, both formations have the offensive elements to injure their opponent. Dominating the Mooseheads are veterans Josh Lawrence and Alexandre Doucet, who took matters into their own hands in the third round when the season’s leading scorer, Jordan Dumais, fell out. The latter should also return to the series. Justin Robidas has established himself as the offensive leader in the playoffs for the Remparts, who also count on Nathan Gaucher, James Malatesta, Zachary Bolduc and Théo Rochette. clout on both sides.
defender
Archive photo
Nicholas Savoy
Because everyone is healthy, Quebec has the best defensive team in the world. Their general Nicolas Savoie may be ailing, but the break between the third round and the final should have allowed him to improve. However, his playing partner Charle Truchon will miss at least the first game of the finals and likely more. Luckily, the Remparts have plenty of depth at the back and the Jérémy Langlois, Vsevolod Komarov and Evan Nause have shown they are capable of holding the line. As for the Mooseheads, defender Cam Whynot is also an uncertain case and his absence could hurt Halifax, who have a younger defensive brigade than the Remparts. David Moravec, Jake Furlong, Brady Schultz and Dylan MacKinnon must hold their ground as they have since the playoffs began.
Guardian
Archive photo
William Rousseau
The Rousseau duel! Both William for the Remparts and Mathis for the Mooseheads had great successes and were one of the main reasons their respective teams attended the QMJHL Finals.
Archive photo
Mathis Rousseau
With two goalkeepers currently in top form, the series could well be decided if one of them falters first.
Trainer
Photo Stevens LeBlanc
Patrick Roy
The final between the Remparts and the Mooseheads will also be that between two coaches who are at diametrically opposite points in their careers. On the one hand, Patrick Roy is a hockey legend and he’s in his last few miles behind the Remparts bank.
Photo Stevens LeBlanc
Sylvain Favreau
On the other hand, Sylvain Favreau has only been the head coach in the QMJHL for two years and is probably one of the most underrated riders on the circuit. Roy saw others and Favreau showed he could bring out the best in his players.
Who will win?
I’ve said it and I’ll say it again: I blew it in the third round by picking the Gatineau Olympiques as the winner in seven games against the Remparts. Nathan Gaucher told observers who underestimated her, “I hope you learned from your mistakes.” That’s my case. The Ramparts are on a mission and have more experience than the Mooseheads, which could end up making all the difference.
My prediction: Remparts in six games