Wednesday November 22

Senators defensive strategy pays off as they punch their ticket to the semis

(8) Senators vs Golden Knights (5)

The game plan going into this match-up was simple for the Senators.  Get in the shooting lanes and stay close and disrupt M.Lafleur of the Golden Knights. One of the key factors in the Senators' success was their strong team defense, which effectively stifled the Golden Knights' offensive efforts throughout the game. That’s exactly what veteran d-man S.Sicuso preached to his teammates and put into play for this contest. The Knights opened the scoring very early but couldn’t hang on as the resilient Senators battled back from two goal deficits and never relinquished their lead.  Despite their hot start, The Golden Knights just couldn’t manage any sustained offence as they found themselves facing a relentless Senators team that managed to turn the tide in their favor.

The Allo Mon Coco Ste-Dorothee player of the game goes to M. Dasilva of the Senators also known as “Hands of Cement”. The veteran turned in a solid performance with his strong play on both ends and his timely goals helped propel the Senators to the semi-final round.

Hurricanes offensive onslaught too much to handle for the

(9) Hurricanes vs Blues (4)

They say anything can happen in the playoffs and it’s not how you start that counts, but how you finish. The Hurricanes finished last and were taking on the powerhouse Blues who finished at the top, but that didn’t matter on this night.  The Blues started the game on a strong note, taking an early lead, but the Hurricanes quickly turned the tide in their favor with a remarkable offensive surge as the they managed to mount an impressive comeback, scoring eight unanswered goals. Led by D.Lipinski, the Hurricanes' offensive prowess proved to be the defining factor in this game, as they overwhelmed the Blues with a relentless display of teamwork and skill.  The Blues fought hard to regain control of the game, but the Hurricanes' offensive onslaught proved too much to handle. 

The Allo Mon Coco Ste-Dorothee player of the game goes to D. Lipinski of the Hurricanes. The rugged forward was on a mission and was solid all night as he contributed an impressive five points, including a hat trick.

Ouellette and Lauzon too much to handle as Oilers take care of Stars

(6) Oilers vs Stars (3)

On a night where upsets were prevalent, you can add this one to the list as well. Right from the start, the Oilers displayed dominance, maintaining their lead throughout the game and leaving the Stars struggling to catch up. Leading the way was S. Ouellette, who showcased remarkable skill by netting an impressive hat trick and M.Lauzon who provided 4 helpers. Ouellette's three goals were pivotal in securing the win, and the team's overall strong performance kept the Stars at bay. The Oilers' teamwork and solid defensive play prevented the Stars from gaining momentum, allowing them to control the game and ultimately clinch the well-deserved 6-3 victory.  

The Allo Mon Coco Ste-Dorothee player of the game goes to S. Ouellette of the Oilers. The speedy defenceman led the way as he was all over the place scoring three big goals.

So now the Wednesday night draft league Semi-Final will be:

(1) Rangers vs Hurricanes (7) This game has all the makings of an offensive slugfest, with multiple game breakers on each side, which could be a nightmare for both goaltenders and a real treat for the fans!!

(5) Senators vs Oilers (6) These teams are well balanced, defensively stable and resemble each other. They’ll have to rely on a team effort and a balanced attack, and both have the ability to play well with the lead, so getting on the board early will be a key factor.