Armada even series with Wildcats

Sebastien Gervais/Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

The Moncton Wildcats are coming home with a split.

William Lacelle made 36 saves to lead the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada to a 3-2 win over the Moncton Wildcats on Tuesday night, evening the Gilles-Courteau Trophy semifinal playoff series at 2-2.

The Wildcats opened the scoring but the Armada connected twice in the final minute of the first period to grab momentum. In the second, it looked as though Tommy Bleyl had tied the game with a power play goal but it was called back due to goaltender interference.

The Armada scored midway through the third period to take a 3-1 advantage – a goal that proved to Blainville-Boisbriand's only shot of the period. Shots in the third were 17-1 in favour of Moncton.

Gabe Smith's 13th goal of the playoffs got Moncton within one at 17:54 of the third – but that would be as close as the 'Cats would come.

Torkel Jennersjo, Maël Lavigne and Matt Gosselin had Armada goals. Lavigne, who now has 13 goals this post-season, has scored in five straight games.

Smith and Rian Chudzinski had Moncton goals. Smith has scored in six straight games. Rudy Guimond made 18 stops in the loss.

Former Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Max Vilen had two shots in the loss. For the Armada, Jacob Beaulieu had one shot while Elliot Dubé was held off the scoresheet.

The series now shifts back to Moncton where Game 5 will take place Friday night at Avenir Centre. Game 6 will be Sunday afternoon in Boisbriand.

In the other semifinal series, the Chicoutimi Sagueneens hung on for a 4-3 win over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to take a 2-1 series lead. Game 4 is Wednesday night in Rouyn-Noranda.