HALIFAX | Nathan Gaucher was honored on his return to Halifax last January, a week after winning gold with the Canadian team at the World Junior Championships. This time, however, he doesn’t expect such a warm welcome.
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Gaucher received a warm welcome from Halifax Mooseheads fans as the organization welcomed his participation in the gold medal game.
“I’m really excited and really looking forward to returning to Halifax,” he said. Even after Christmas, the memories of our victory at the Junior World Championships were still warm. It’s an ice cream I know better than the boys.
“I come back to Halifax with a different attitude and a desire to win the trophy with my team. It is different. I don’t expect the Mooseheads fans to cheer me on or get an introduction. »
Photos Didier Debusschere
Patrick Roy and the Remparts arrive at Quebec Airport this Sunday en route to Halifax for the third and fourth games of the finals.
The page is turned
The Remparts had a winning streak of 21 and suffered their first defeat on Saturday when they lost 6 to 3 in the second game of the final. With the disappointment over, Gaucher makes sure the players have moved on.
“Losing is never fun and we used Saturday night to be angry and a little frustrated and let the emotions run wild, but today is a new day and we don’t talk about it anymore,” said the first-round pick ( 22.). total) of the Anaheim Ducks in the last draft. It is not defeat that will hit us. »
“We’ll get back on track,” continued Gaucher, who missed a great chance to make it 3-0 after being stopped by a breakaway at the end of the first period.
“If we’ve won 21 games in a row, it’s because we played well and didn’t do so well on Saturday. It can’t always be Cinderella as a story. That’s why it’s so hard to win this trophy. The team that will win the trophy will appreciate their hard work even more. »
William Rousseau also believes the Remparts won’t let this first failure of the playoffs worry them.
“It’s a thing of the past and we have to put this game behind us, but also use it as motivation,” concluded the Mauricie goalkeeper. We would have liked to win all our games, but the defeat can be positive for the next games.
“Hockey is adversity and we meet adversity. Depending on how we turn out in the next game, it can only be good. »
“It’s a club that thrives on our turnovers and our little mistakes,” added Rousseau. We have to keep things simple. We are facing a transition club that shows opportunism. »
power play
The Mooseheads did very well on the power play, hitting the target three times in two games.
“Two of their three goals were scored in a similar way,” Rousseau said. It’s hard to play because I have to read the upcoming game but I know what they are doing. There’s a player to my right and I have to react better. »
Patrick Roy is also concerned about the Originals’ power play.
“Because we’ve been so undermanned since the start of the playoffs, we’re racking our brains a bit,” admitted the Red Devils driver. There is also an element of luck. You just need to make a few minor changes. »
Roy is encouraged for the future.
“We’re aware that we haven’t played our best game and we need to show character in the next game and get back on our feet. We knew we would one day escape one. We are not infallible.
“The beauty is that we didn’t play our best game and there were moments that could have made the difference. We are a little to blame for all goals. That gives me courage. »
The enthusiasm doesn’t let up
Got up for sale this afternoon, all tickets to Game 5 of the Gilles-Courteau Trophy final disappeared within 18 minutes. The amateurs’ excitement doesn’t falter even after the Remparts suffered their first setback of the playoffs.
“We appreciate the excitement and love from our fans is a good source of motivation for our players to play a strong game on Tuesday,” concluded Roy.