Can't the Wildcats just play on Sportsnet every game? I'm willing to put up with Damien Cox and Nick Kypreos every night if this is the usual result.
I nominate last night's 4-2 win as most impressive on the season. Better than the 3-0 win vs Halifax because the Moose played one of their worst games of the season that afternoon. Better than the 3-0 win vs. Blainville because this Rimouski team is better than that Armada squad was in my opinion. And this latest win came on the road. Road games have been less than kind to the Cats at times this season.
Simply put, last night's game had the intensity of a playoff game and commanded a high compete level as well as precise execution. That's what Moncton brought to the table. Their defensive awareness was outstanding, keeping Rimouski to the outside with regularity. Their puck support was as strong as it's been all season. Their distribution in both even strength and powerplay situations was very impressive. They received big saves when required. In a game in which everyone needed to bring their best... and their best players needed to be their best players (that term really is more than a cliche), both occurred. At the end of the day, it's games like last night's that give me hope for the rest of the season. If they come up with performances like this in the postseason, things could get very interesting, indeed.
Make it five straight for the Cats, who head up to road to the ultra awesome house of hockey known as the Colisee Pepst to face the Remparts. Can someone call up Sam Cosentino and get him to just sit in the press box or something?
A couple hours south of Rimouski, the Dieppe Commandos took great strides towards securing their fate in the MHL playoffs, officially clinching at least third in the Meek division with a 5-3 win in Campbellton. Dieppe overcame deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 respectively to pull out win number 26 on the season. Mark Simpson led the way offensively with two goals and an assist... speaking of which.
This Commandos team is an offensive force. As a result, sometimes individual performances can go unnoticed. Mark Simpson is one of those guys who I find goes under the radar... or as much "under the radar" as a 6'5" can go. He's still getting used to life in the MHL and possibly beyond... but he's getting more and more comfortable all the time. He wins faceoffs with alarming frequency. He is very tough to move from in front of the opposing net. Just as important however, he doesn't panic with the puck very easily. And in the midst of all this, the rookie from Saint John is playing some of his best hockey at just the right time, as his seven points in the last five games can attest to.
Simpson and his Commandos are guaranteed a first round date with the Woodstock Slammers... all that remains to be seen is where that series will start. Woodstock remains two points ahead of Dieppe with a game in hand. The Miramichi Timberwolves will play a huge part in who will get that home ice advantage. After playing host to the Slammers tonight, they travel to the AJL tomorrow afternoon for a 2:30 tilt. It's gonna be a very interesting week in the MJL indeed. I highly suggest you come down to the rink and take it all in.
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