GATINEAU IT IS

It could be said that it is a fluke that the Gatineau Olympiques are playing the Saint John Sea Dogs in round two of the post-season. But then again, just forcing their first round match-up with the Montreal Junior to seven games was a major accomplishment.

Last night’s game seven tilt at the Verdun Auditorium went to double overtime, this after Gatineau fell down 3-1 in the series. It ended in bizarre fashion.

From today’s Ottawa Citizen:

It doesn't get, or end, any flukier than that.

Hubert Labrie and the Gatineau Olympiques aren't complaining, though, after Labrie's shot from inside the red line bounced off the end boards, hit the skate of netminder Jean-François Bérubé and bounced into the goal at 1:58 of double overtime to give the Olympiques a 2-1 win in Game 7 of their opening-round playoff series with the Montreal Junior.

From Montreal radio station Team 990’s Nick Murdocco on Twitter following the goal:

OMG... Knew it would be be a garbage goal to win it... #Juniors season is over trickled through goalies pads on nothing play.

It may have been for the better for Saint John though, as they have destroyed the Olympiques this season and struggled against the Junior.

"They are all pretty solid hockey teams and they have played well in the playoffs," Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant said to the Telegraph-Journal of the possibility of playing Chicoutimi, Gatineau, or Montreal. "We are confident in our hockey team but we know our opponent is going to be a good test for us."

The Sea Dogs are 3-0 against Gatineau this season, outscoring them 17-5. Saint John defeated the ‘Piques 2-0 at Harbour Station, and 8-0 and 7-5 in Gatineau.

In Saint John’s 8-0 win, the Olympiques failed to get a shot on goal in the second period.

A full schedule for the Saint John – Gatineau series can be found below. All times are listed in Atlantic Standard.

GAME 1: Friday, April 2 – 7:30pm @ Harbour Station
GAME 2: Saturday, April 3 – 7pm @ Harbour Station
GAME 3: Tuesday, April 6 – 8:30pm @ Robert Guertin Arena
GAME 4: Wednesday, April 7 – 8:30pm @ Robert Guertin Arena
*GAME 5: Friday, April 9 – 8:30pm @ Robert Guertin Arena
*GAME 6: Monday, April 12 – 7pm @ Harbour Station
*GAME 7: Tuesday, April 13 – 7pm @ Harbour Station
*if necessary

This is only the second time Saint John has played in the second round of the post-season. In 2007-08, the Dogs defeated the Acadie-Bathurst Titan 4-2 in the best-of-seven series.

Gatineau finished the season with a record of 30-33-1-4, good for third in Telus Western Division and 12th overall in the QMJHL.

Station Nation will have a pre-game before each playoff battle.