The Shawinigan Cataractes shook off home field advantage from the Charlottetown Islanders at the Eastlink Center Saturday to win Game 1 of the President’s Cup Finals 5-1.
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The offensive leaders of the Mauricie team reacted with presence. The special teams were outstanding. Antoine Coloumbe was almost flawless in front of the guest cage. In short, all the elements were there for a Cats victory.
“I think our three game phases were effective,” summed up head coach Daniel Renaud. Our [désavantage numérique] it was very good. Our power play kept things simple. That gives you chances.”
The cataracts also arose in the middle period, three times deceiving the vigilance of Francesco Lapenna. Edmonton Oilers pro Xavier Bourgault initially moved the ropes twice in a row before Lou-Félix Denis added more.
In the third period, Dallas Stars jewel Mavrik Bourque nailed the coffin for the Maritimes. It was the second goal of the game for the Cataractes on the power play.
“The numerical advantages made all the difference tonight,” said Pierrick Dubé, author of the last goal for his team. In a five-on-five game, the teams had chances at both ends.
A hypothesis shared by Isles pilot Jim Hulton.
“We knew their power play was threatening. We didn’t do our work tonight. Sometimes we were amazed. They are one of the fastest teams we have faced.”
Only Brett Budgell could demystify Coulombe at the very end of the first period. It was his 10th playoff win, a league-high shared with teammate Patrick Guay.
The Prince Edward Island team can count on the return of Xavier Simoneau, drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, in Sunday’s next game. The return of Simoneau, who was suspended in the final game of the series against the Quebec Remparts, will have “a big impact” on the Islanders, according to Hulton.