Monday March 27

Jokers one step closer to clinching playoffs

The Jokers took a big step toward clinching a playoff spot on Monday night defeating the 23^rd Hour with identical 4-0 scores. By the eight minute mark of the first period, the Jokers managed a 3-0 lead and made sure to protect it the rest of the way. K.Langlois helped preserve the cushion by stopping every shot he faced. The Jokers used four different goal scorers that saw C.Baccioglia collect the most points with two assists. The second contest had the same result but the circumstances were a little different. It wasn’t up until the second period where the Jokers got on board. And rather than getting balanced scoring, only two players found the back of the net out of the four that went in. Danny Caissie opened and closed the scoring to finish with three points while F.Maston riffled back to back tallies in only five minutes. For a second straight game, the 23^rd Hour ran into the same problem trying to figure out K.Langlois. The net minder couldn’t have stepped it up at a better time during the season. With these two wins, the Jokers are almost guaranteed a playoff spot with two games remaining.

(4)Jokers vs 23^rd Hour(0)

(0)23^rd Hour vs Jokers(4)

Venom complete sweep of 1 Timer to maintain second place of division

After four meetings between the two sides, Venom banked more points by defeating the 1 Timer for the fourth straight time this season. Venom survived the 1 Timers best effort by keeping certain players in check. P-A Surprenant was limited to only one goal and an assist in both games which is something incredibly hard to do considering how often he scores. But for Venom, it wasn’t only about what their opponents were made of. The high octane squad got it done with many players that can hurt you on any given night. In this particular case, J.Courteau was that player as the rugged forward scored a total of three goals and an assist in both games. The 1 Timer had a strangle hold in the second encounter up 2-0 after one period but weren’t able to tighten the noose long enough. G.Lallis came through as the unlikely hero bagged the winner with only 29 seconds left on the clock. Both wins came without their big gun B.Deslauriers. With only four games left to go, it’s almost safe to say that Venom will finish either second or third place of the division depending what they do in their next games versus Les Yables.

(3)Venom vs 1 Timer(1)

(3)1 Timer vs Venom(4)

Les Yables hand Punishers first loss of the season

Les Yables knew it would be facing a tough challenge against the undefeated Punishers, but rose to the occasion at least on one to the two encounters between the two sides. The first game was business as usual for the Punishers who took the match with two late goals. C.Gingras posted his second that snapped a 1-1 tie with just under a minute remaining in the game. Then, T.Karvouriaris capped it off seconds later in an empty cage to help improve his club to their 14^th win of the season. However, good things eventually do come to an end. Les Yables weren’t too happy with the way the game ended and it showed as they upped their gear by responding in a big way. The win came with an overall collective effort that saw five different players contribute in the scoring. Two of their goals came with the man advantage courtesy of M-A Gauthier and L.Verdun. Les Yables always played with the lead but the Punishers kept coming back to pull within one on a couple of occasions. Once again, C.Gingras was behind it all as the lanky forward notched two more tallies to finish his night with four points. The way both games ended, Les Yables know that they can compete with the Punishers if ever that path enables the two sides to meet in the final.

(3)Punishers vs Les Yables(1)

(5)Les Yables vs Punishers(4)

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Kevin Langlois of the Jokers. The goaltender posted back to back shutouts at a very crucial time during the season. The wins came against a team that they were chasing for that last playoff spot.