Gagne, Oceanic Upset In 1st Round

The Rimouski Oceanic, who came close to finishing second overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s regular season, have been eliminated by the 13^th-seeded Gatineau Olympiques in the first-round of the playoffs.

The Olympiques, who feature former Sea Dogs defenseman Gabriel Bourret, won the series in six games with a 2-1 victory today at the Robert Guertin Centre.

Rimouski finished fourth overall and had the third best record in the league of 41-18-3-6 for 91 points. Gatineau finished 13^th with a 29-34-1-4 record, 28 points behind the Oceanic. This is certainly an upset.

Of course, the Oceanic acquired 20-year old defenseman Kevin Gagne from Saint John during the trade period. Gagne had six goals and 37 points in 31 regular season games in the second half with Rimouski and added a goal and an assist in this playoff series. Obviously this wasn’t the way Gagne wanted his junior career end - but what a junior career he had. He won three regular season titles, two President’s Cups, and a Memorial Cup in five QMJHL seasons.

Earlier this month, Gagne signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Anaheim Ducks. He’s also nominated for the QMJHL’s top defenseman award.

The Oceanic, who made it all the way to the President's Cup final last season, also feature former Sea Dogs forward Scott Oke.

Gatineau will now face the top-seeded Halifax Mooseheads in the second-round.

In other action on Sunday, the Quebec Remparts advanced to the second-round with a 4-3 overtime win over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. The Remparts won the series in six games.

Only the Val-d’Or/PEI series has yet to be decided. The Foreurs lead the best-of-seven matchup 3-2 heading into Game 6 tomorrow night in Charlottetown.

Pictured: Some Chicoutimi fan living the dream