The context was completely different. Even “strange”. Due to the pandemic, the QMJHL Finals was then played in a “bubble” at the Videotron Center on neutral ground. But the pain of the Val-d’Or Foreurs defeat two years ago, says Justin Robidas, he still feels it today.
“I won’t hide that it still hurts. “We had such a good team and several people thought we would win everything,” said the man who has been wearing the Remparts uniform for several months.
Along with Daniel Agostino, who lifted the trophy with the Shawinigan Cataractes last year, Robidas is the only Red Devils player to have seen the President’s Cup, now dubbed the Trophy Finals. Giles Courteau.
In 2021, Robidas and the Foreurs were favorites for top honors in the finals. Finally, in six games, they were surprised by the Victoriaville Tigres, who had 31 fewer points than them overall this season.
Photo Didier Debusschere
Justin Robidas was voted second overall by the Foreurs at the 2019 QMJHL auction.
While the veteran didn’t hide the fact that the pain of the setback is still there two seasons later, he also admitted two days before the first meeting against the Halifax Mooseheads that he used it as motivation.
“There are four games left so I definitely want to get her more,” he said after training for about 1 hour and 15 minutes in the youth pavilion. […] I was young then, but it was something special. And this time I want to be on the winning side.
More in his dictionary
Patrick Roy understands this desire to avenge the failure of two years ago very well.
“I remember after losing the 1989 final to the Calgary Flames, the word ‘loss’ was totally out of my dictionary when we returned to the 1993 finals,” said the Remparts head coach and former Canadiens goaltender.
“I imagine it’s the same [Robidas]. And I look at the group, everyone is engaged. The guys work hard, they have a mission and they want it to continue,” Roy continued.
To the criteria
One striker who has tasted the joys of victory, another who has experienced the pain of defeat. Not many players from the Remparts have played in the QMJHL Finals, but Robidas and Agostino’s experience could come in handy in the coming days when Quebec will attempt to lift the trophy for the first time in 47 years.
“It has always been part of the criteria when we were looking for players. We also wanted players who were a good fit with our core and we have that,” Patrick Roy noted of the two forwards signed later in the season.
But the head coach also relies on the rest of his squad. While aware that “a new adventure is beginning,” he believes his players are beginning to “gain experience in the playoffs.”
“I think it serves us well,” he remarked.
A big comeback for the Remparts
The Remparts haven’t been spared injuries this year either, but they can breathe a sigh of relief: If everything goes according to plan by Friday, they’ll be betting almost their entire squad when they hit the ice in the packed Videotron Center for the Halifax Mooseheads.
In fact, only defender Charle Truchon could miss the call, which is also not certain yet. It means Nicolas Savoie, one of the team’s central players this spring, should find his blue line after missing the third and fourth games of the series against Gatineau Olympiques through injury.
Photo Didier Desbusschere
Nicolas Savoie during the series against the Rimouski Oceanic.
Yes, Savoie was “a little afraid” of missing out on this long-awaited finale. “But since it’s the final, I was ready to play with anything,” he smiled, now feeling “almost 100%.”
“It was difficult to miss the two games there, but I’m glad the boys won,” said the 20-year-old full-back.
“We can’t wait to have them all”
That return made people happy at Wednesday’s Remparts practice, especially given the power of the Mooseheads attack they’re about to face. “He was named Defensive Player of the Season, and for good reason,” observed Justin Robidas. We’re glad to have him with us. […] We have to be physical against Halifax. This is a team that handles the puck very well, so we have to try to limit the damage.
Patrick Roy also pointed out that he may be able to count on two other players who recently missed training on Friday, namely striker Daniel Agostino and defender Thomas Darcy. “You want everyone in the playoffs. We can’t wait to have everyone with us. But that’s how it is in the playoffs,” emphasized the head coach.