Knights-Cataractes - Girard Gets The Call

SHAWINIGAN, Que. – The Shawinigan Cataractes will look to Gabriel Girard to backstop them to their first victory of the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup tonight against the London Knights.

Girard will make his first start for Shawinigan since April 6. He’ll replace Alex Dubeau in goal who allowed four goals on 25 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday night in the first game of the tournament.

“I've said it all year we have two great goalies and we're comfortable with whoever we put in net,” Cataractes head coach Eric Veilleux said. “(Sunday night) it's going to be Girard.”

Shawinigan, 0-1, is in a must-win situation. Falling to 0-2 is usually deadly at this tournament.

London is coming off a 5-3 win over the defending champion Saint John Sea Dogs last night. The Knights won’t play again until Tuesday against Edmonton.

Game time this evening is 8pm. Sportsnet.ca has a game preview. As always, this match can be seen on Sportsnet.

In other Memorial Cup related news:

• According to @loosepucks, “Mike Craig, son of #NHL ice guru Dan Craig, en route to #MemorialCup to assist with ice conditions.” Last night’s ice was particularly bad.
• The guy that sang the anthem at Friday’s Cataractes-Oil Kings has been fired for wearing a t-shirt with the message "Sorry Kyoto" and "Harper" on it.
• Are the Oil Kings being cheated out of the Memorial Cup experience?

The Sea Dogs are back in action tomorrow night against the Oil Kings.

Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation