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May 28, 2005

MEMORIAL CUP Semifinal – Rimouski vs Ottawa – Rimouski Wins (7-4), Moves On To Final

Subtitle: Thank you for a wonderful season.

vs
Rimouski Ottawa
While it’s not the outcome we were hoping for, the 67s should be proud of their achievement. They surprised a lot of people along the way, and learned something about the power of teamwork and resilience. It was a great ride guys. To those returning, we look forward to seeing you progress. To those who are moving on, we wish you all the best in your next steps. And to the Oceanic, a hearty congratulations. It’s going to be a very fast turn-around for them to play tomorrow, but I imagine they’ll get up for it. One more game, and then what will we do? See CHL Memorial Cup site for game summary here and for game recap here.

IN THE NEWS
(Added by Sid 5.29.2005 1400h)

From the Ottawa Sun Allan Panzeri writes, 67's run 'out of miracles'.

From the London Free Press Eric Bender writes, 67's offence couldn't keep up.

From the Winnipeg Free Press, Rimouski powers past 67's in semi, this quote from Staubitz:

"Truthfully, by the way we played I don't think we deserved to win the game," said Ottawa defenceman Brad Staubitz. "You've got to give them credit. They really handed it to us tonight."

Classy guy, gonna miss him.

From the Ottawa Sun Barre Campbell writes, Puck stops here for Battochio. Snippet:

Ottawa coach Brian Kilrea said Battochio was worn down by a tough week.

"I just think he wore it," said Kilrea. "He had so many shots and so many situations this week. He was working two-thirds of every game because of the scrambles around our net."

"I just think he was a little bit more tired than anyone else."

Campell also writes, No more 'miracles'.

From the Ottawa Sun Chris Stevenson writes, Knights tarnishing image. Stevenson writes that Joslin played injured throughout the series:

67's defenceman Derek Joslin played with a suspected broken wrist suffered when hit by Jakub Petruzalek in the first practice here. The wrist is too swollen to know if it's broken. But the kid didn't want to miss a chance to play in the Memorial Cup. "I just asked the doctors, 'Can I play? Can we do something to let me play?' He said, 'You're good to go if you want to get frozen up and taped up.' I just beared down and tried to help my team the best I could." That's character, in case you were wondering.

A chance that he might not get again, so I can understand his wanting to play.

And I hesitate to add this snippet (from same article) lest it draw the ire of the NOOFers again ::shudder:: from Rimouski Coach Labonte:

''The Knights, I don't think they need something like that. They don't have to challenge the goalie. They don't have to dive in games. They're a very good team. They don't need to use that kind of stuff to win. The way they manage things, it's not something I appreciate. They have a lot of people over there. I don't know who's the ringleader."

I guess we’re all sore losers, including the Coach of that ‘other’ team in the Memorial cup final. Stevenson also writes, Bonello exits on a sour note. It’s not any consolation I know, but Bonello got to the Memorial Cup twice, and that’s two more times than many junior players get.

PRE-GAME NOTES
The game was broadcast on radio (TEAM 1200/Dave Schreiber and AJ Jakubec) and television (Sportsnet/Daren Millard, Peter Loubardias, and John Druce).

Pre-game notes:
*Battochio will be okay to start.
*Petruzalek still out.

PRE-GAME INTERVIEW w/KILLER (Schreibs)
(On playing tonight’s game) Well we did play them well, but we dug ourselves a hole. Every team plays better with a lead. When you’re behind the 8-ball all the time it’s a different type of game.

(On the play of the forwards vs defence) The defence is fine, but they’re under too much pressure. We don’t have enough back checking forwards and the defence is taking a toll being in the end too much and taking too much abuse.

(On the physical play on Crosby) No I think Julian has been taking an awful lot. Certainly when you’re a player of note you have the camera on you and they’re watching your every move. But certainly we have to watch him tonight.

(On Petruzalek) He hurt his knee and it’s not ready yet. He won’t be in the line up.

(On Battochio) Sure he’s fine. He’s got two games in him and then he can rest.

PRE-GAME INTERVIEW w/GUY BOUCHER (AJ)
(On tonight’s game) Well first everybody says it’s a big game. But for us it’s the same as usual. We’ll continue improving on our offence and defence. Our guys are a lot less nervous. Our last game had been better than the other ones. We’re progressing slowly. Our third line did a really good job and the second line too. Everyone is in the game now and we’re ready to go.

(On the output of other lines) I think the media talked about it more than we did. We saw through the playoffs that it was on and off. Up to now the second and third hadn’t scored. We’re pleased to see it. It takes the stress off the kids themselves but not the coaching staff.

(On the top line/5 guys) Well you know they’ve been great for us. We acquired Scalzo and he has fit in well with the rest. They’re our top line, our top 5 guys, but we have other guys that have been doing it too.

(On physical play on Crosby) To be honest it’s been like that for 3 years. He’s had that treatment since he’s been in junior. It wasn’t something any different [than in Quebec] but now the rest of Canada can see it.

(On the goaltending match up) Our goalie has been outstanding for us for a long time. It’s going to come down to details and defensive mistakes.

TEAMS ROSTERS
(via CHL Memorial Cup site)
Ottawa
Rimouski

LINE UP – OTTAWA
*Forwards:
McGinn, Talbot, Hulit (started)
Bickell, Bonello, Mancari
Akeson, Ouellette, Kaspar
VanderVeeken, Lawrance, Alphonso

*Defensive Pairings:
Colbert, Joslin
Staubitz, Reid
Van Herpt, Beard

*Starting In Goal:
Battochio. Guadagnolo as back up.

LINE UP – RIMOUSKI
*Forwards:
Roussin, Crosby, Pouliot (started)
Tobin, Stewart, Hrdel
Cote, Charette, Neilson(?)
Aspirot, Arsenault, Bachand

*Defensive Pairings:
Coulombe, Scalzo
J-M Bolduc, Sersen
Tremblay, F Bolduc

*Starting In Goal:
Desjardins. (?) as back up.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
First Period. Bickell and Cote were called right off the bat (52 seconds in). Crosby scored on the ensuing 4-on-4 to put the Oceanic up 1-0. He roofed it, top shelf. Rimouski was all over Ottawa – had them turning in circles. Coulombe fired on net, and Cote tipped it, to make it 2-0. The 67s were having trouble getting settled. They weren’t the first to the puck, weren’t rushing back to their zone. They still hadn’t registered a SOG at 14:30. Then McGinn, Talbot, and Hulit went racing down the ice – Hulit on the right – Talbot centre – McGinn on the left – Hulit passed and McGinn tipped it in (2-1). Then Mancari stripped the puck in front of the Rimouski net and got a shot off, but Desjardins handled it well. Ottawa went on the PP first, and McGinn scored on the PP – shot from the point by Staubitz – to tie it up (2-2). And a penalty to Bickell gave Rimouski their first PP. Pouliot scored on the PP to regain the lead (3-2). The puck bounced in off Battochio’s skate. Rimouski was then called for boarding – the penalties were getting a little ridiculous. The 67s couldn’t muster anything on the PP. Tremblay went back to the box – another questionable call – but Ottawa wasn’t able to do anything with the opportunity. Another 4-on-4, but then Ottawa/Talbot called for elbowing, making it a 4-on-3. Alphonso went off the ice early in the game and didn’t see him back. SOG were 7 for Ottawa and 17 for Rimouski. The score was 3-2 for Rimouski.

Second Period. The Oceanic continued with their PP to start the third, with Cosby scoring to make it 4-2. Alphonso was back out on the ice. Just over 3 minutes into the period, Ottawa still hadn’t had a shot on goal. Again, Ouellette was working hard. I’m so impressed with him. Except for short bursts by the 67s, the Oceanic were all over the 67s. faster, stronger, passing was unbelievable especially considering all the comments on the poor ice condition. At the end of the period as they were leaving the ice, Killer confronted the ref, and was given a bench minor. Not a good period of hockey for a team that is in a must-win situation. SOG were 15 for Ottawa and 30 for Rimouski. The score was 4-2 for Rimouski.

Third Period. The 67s started a man short, with Akeson serving for Killer’s bench minor at the end the second period. They killed it off. Joslin scored early in the period – a wrist shot from the point – to bring the team within 1 (4-3). Then Bonello was called for high-sticking, and Coulombe scored on the PP to put them back ahead by 2. This seemed to drain any energy the 67s had mustered. For the rest of the period, it was all Oceanic, coasting to the win. Scalzo scored next, put his own rebound in, to make it 6-3. And then Crosby scored his hat trick goal to make it 7-3. It was a bad goal – a shot from far out that Battochio might have thought was going over the net, but dropped down and into the net. At the end of the period Talbot scored to make it (7-4). While it was too little too late, it was good to see Talbot get on the scoresheet. One of the hardest workers for the 67s this year. Final SOG were 14 (29) for Ottawa and 11 (41) for Rimouski. The final score was 7-4 for Rimouski. Congratulations Rimouski. Get your rest – the big game’s tomorrow.

SCORING
OTTAWA
1, McGinn, (2) (Hulit, Talbot), 05:43
1, McGinn, (3) (Staubitz, Kaspar), 07:20 (PP)
3, Joslin, (1) , 02:11
3, Talbot, (1) (McGinn, Hulit), 16:42

RIMOUSKI
1, Crosby, (4) (Roussin, Coulombe), 01:48
1, Coulombe, (1) (Charette, Bolduc), 04:40
1, Pouliot, (3) (Crosby, Scalzo), 09:45 (PP)
2, Crosby, (5) (Roussin, Pouliot), 00:41 (PP)
3, Coulombe, (2) (Roussin, Scalzo), 03:27 (PP)
3, Scalzo, (2) (Roussin, Crosby), 06:46
3, Crosby, (6) (Pouliot), 11:47

PENALTIES
Ottawa PP opportunities – 1/5
Rimouski PP opportunities – 3/5

OTTAWA
1 - Bickell, 0:52 - Roughing, 2min
1 - Bickell, 7:54 - Interference, 2min (PP)
1 - Bonello, 17:41 - Roughing, 2min
1 - Talbot, 19:00 - Elbowing, 2min (PP)
2 - Alphonso, 9:54 - Interference, 2min (PP)
2 - BENCH, 20:00 - Unsportsmanlike Cnd., 2min (PP)
3 - Bonello, 3:02 - High Sticking, 2min (PP)

RIMOUSKI
1 - Cote, 0:52 - Holding Opp. Stick, 2min
1 - Tremblay, 6:42 - Interference, 2min (PP)
1 - Tremblay, 9:57 - Boarding, 2min (PP)
1 - Tremblay, 15:01 - Cross Checking, 2min (PP)
1 - Roussin, 17:41 - Roughing, 2min
2 - Cote, 13:15 - Roughing, 2min (PP)
3 - Sersen, 3:52 - Interference, 2min (PP)

THREE STARS
Memorial Cup three stars were: (1) Crosby-RIM, (2) Roussin-RIM, and (3) Coulombe-RIM. TEAM 1200 three stars were: (1) Crosby-RIM, (2) Coulombe-RIM, and (3) Roussin-RIM.

REFFING
Richard Forest, QMJHL.

ATTENDANCE
8905.

NEXT UP
Memorial Cup Final – 5.29.2005 1630h – Rimouski vs London.

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