Monday May 8(Semi finals)

Les Yables out battle Venom for two game sweep

Les Yables walked away with back to back wins over Venom to move one step closer to their ultimate goal. It took only nine minutes in for Les Yables to put a strangle hold in the opening match. Led by their captain, A.Gervais set the pace only 20 seconds-from the opening draw to beat R.Ranieri before setting up L.Verdon for a 2-0 lead. Venom did eventually get on board late in the first period when J.Courteau got to J-F Simard. Still not out of it yet, K.Araujo used a power play marker to pull his team within one. But Les Yables would eventually slow down the momentum by responding with a huge insurance marker that would prove to be the winner. D.Marcotte was that player as the sniper buried his second after receiving two assists-from D.Pelletier. With the first game out of the way, Les Yables did nearly the exact same thing in the second contest. L.Verdon’s two quick goals along with A.Gervais following up with a power play marker, Les Yables built another 3-0 lead by the nine minute mark of the frame. At that point, Venom found themselves in another bind that would eventually cost them the series. Both sides traded second period goals each that included a hat trick by D.Pelletier. The one important thing that Les Yables did on this night was their commitment to get the better start. Unfortunately for Venom, they just couldn’t weather the storm long enough in order to keep the games close.

(3)Venom vs Les Yables(4) Game 1

(5)Les Yables vs Venom(2) Game 2

J.Meynard and Punishers limit 1 Timer to only two goals, advance to finals

The Punishers did exactly what they needed to do in order to take out the 1 Timer on Monday night. The first thing was limiting P-A Surprenant and T.Daigneault off the score sheet in which they did in the opening contest while generating their excepted offence primarily-from C.Gingras. Add both those scenarios and the results will surely come. C.Gingras did much of the work in the first game bagging two goals and a helper while J.Meynard turned away over 15 shots to record a shutout. After taking a commanding 1-0 series lead, the Punishers weren’t done yet. The first period of the second game was just a carryover of what happened in game one. It took just over four minutes for three different players to find the back of the net for a commanding 3-0 lead. The 1 Timer would go three straight periods without a goal. In an effort to battle back, P-A Surprenant ended the spell by posting two second period goals. However, his second tally still trailed his club by two with barely enough time for a comeback. Once again, C.Gingras had his hand behind setting up two out of the four goals for the Punishers. J.Meynard was exceptional in both wins as the net minder went perfect for well over three periods.

(3)Punishers vs 1 Timer(0) Game 1

(2)1 Timer vs Punishers (4)  Game 2

Now that this round is out of the way, the Punishers will look to complete their playoff run by taking on Les Yables. The final won’t be easy for either side. Les Yables work extremely hard and will constantly for check and force the Punishers to react quickly. But will that be enough against a side that has the most dangerous player and a very good active defense. Time will tell as both teams prepare for their biggest games of the season.

The SalumiVino player of the night goes to Jeremie Meynard of the Punishers. The net minder went through a very long stretch before giving up his only two goals in both games vs the 1 Timer.