Wildcats, Foreurs Advance To Semifinals

MONCTON - The Moncton Wildcats are moving on.

The Wildcats defeated the Halifax Mooseheads 6-3 last night in game seven of a wild and whacky quarterfinal playoff series at the Moncton Coliseum. The victory advanced the Wildcats to the league semifinals where they’ll play the Memorial Cup host Quebec Remparts.

Game one of the Wildcats-Remparts semifinal series is tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Coliseum.

It certainly wasn’t the prettiest series for the Wildcats but it was entertaining. Alex Dubeau was good when he had to be and Connor Garland and Ivan Barbashev stepped up at key times. Garland had five assists last night, nearly matching the six he registered in game five.

Making it to game seven of the second round has to be considered an accomplishment for the Mooseheads, who were seeded 12^th entering the playoffs. Nikolaj Ehlers was unreal this post-season and likely played his last game with the Mooseheads last night.

Nik Ehlers recalled by #nhljets but not expected in lineup tonight
— gary lawless (@garylawless) April 22, 2015

In the other game seven last night, the Val-d’Or Foreurs beat the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 4-3 in overtime to win the series. The Drakkar blew a 3-0 series lead and 3-1 lead last night.

The Val-d'Or Foreurs are the 5th team in QMJHL history to win a series after being down 0-3 to win 4-3. Halifax did it last in 2012.
— Nolan Reid (@Nolan_TQN) April 22, 2015

Via @DenisL_1981, here’s the overtime winner and the shenanigans that followed.

No handshakes followed.

Val-d’Or will play Rimouski in the semifinals. That series begins on Friday in Rimouski.

There have now been four game sevens played in this year’s playoffs and only two sweeps. This is shaping up to be the best QMJHL playoffs since this playoff format was introduced.