BAIE-COMEAU | The Baie-Comeau Drakkar got off to a very bad start on her long journey to Abitibi.
North Shore crewmen suffered a fourth straight setback Friday night, dropping the flag 8-5 to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
The ship’s Vikings, embarking on the first match in a series of three in three days, saw the enemy sound the charge from the first moments of the encounter.
With two quick goals 27 seconds apart, the winners quickly set the tone and knocked out rookie goalkeeper Félix Hamel, who gave up twice with four shots.
“It’s not the start of the game we were hoping for. Our goalkeeper allowed bad goals and we couldn’t wait,” admitted driver Jean-François Grégoire quickly.
Trailing 3-1 after a quarter, the visitors managed to close the lead, but it wasn’t enough.
“The guys tried until the end, but every time we hit the target, they went back to attack a few moments later. They scored seven out of 22 shots,” said the league leader.
Defensive Adjustments
Aware that he has to finish the game more defensively, the Drakkar has to prepare for the second duel between the two teams presented on Saturday afternoon.
“Despite everything, there were still some good things, but we have to close the enclave and force them to shoot from the outside,” Grégoire added.
Belarusians Daniil Bourash and Tristan Allard led the two-staple winners’ offense.
Rookie Justin Poirier, along with Charles-Antoine Dumont, Niks Fenenko, Matthew MacDonald and Charlie Fink, provided the losers’ response, who fired 44 shots at goaltender Thomas Couture