Folks, this isn't your grandfather's first round.
The days of eight lopsided first round series seem to be over (for now at least) as five of this year's are tied up after two games. Even the three series that are 2-0 have had their close moments.
As mentioned on Friday, hopefully this is an early sign of things to come. Even with the Saint John Sea Dogs not involved, who doesn't love some good playoff hockey?
Here's a look at each series after two games.
Armada 2 - Foreurs 0
The Armada had their troubles in Game 1, needing overtime to defeat the No. 16 seed Foreurs. They seemed to figure things out in Game 2, winning 5-1. The series now shifts to Val-d'Or, where there will surely be a good atmosphere.
Titan 1 - Sagueneens 1
The Titan are the heavy favourites in this series, but suffered one of their worst loses in months on Saturday, falling 4-0 to the No. 15 seed Sagueneens on hime ice. Bathurst was good enough, but not great, in Game 1. We've seen the Chicoutimi franchise play the upset role in the past, so the Titan will need to be careful here. This is a 2-2-1-1-1 scheduling format.
Oceanic 1 - Wildcats 1
Another surprising series has been Wildcats/Oceanic, where Rimouski, the No. 3 seed, could easily be down 2-0 right now. After pulling off a big 4-1 upset win in Game 1, Moncton nearly took Game 2 but fell 2-1 in overtime. Alexis Lafreniere, who most guessed would be a Wildcat at this point a year ago, scored the overtime winner. Samuel Dove-McFalls assisted on both Rimouski goals.
Halifax 2 - Baie-Comeau 0
The Drakkar are giving the Mooseheads a run here. Halifax won Game 2 by score of 5-3, netting the game-winner with under five minutes remaining in the third. The series now shifts to Baie-Comeau where it will presumably be a madhouse, as per usual.
Drummundville 1, Cape Breton 1Hit of the year. A clean one at that. pic.twitter.com/18ftphYZAs— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) March 24, 2018
The Screaming Eagles played their obligatory crazy long overtime game on Saturday - which they seem to do every year. Oliver Bourret scored at 14:26 of the third overtime to even the series at 1-1. Joe Veleno had two Drummondville goals.
GAME OVER! The @CBSEHockey top the @Voltigeurs_DRU by a 5-4 score in triple overtime thanks to Olivier Bourret's goal. With a total duration of 114m26s, it is the 3rd longest game in #QPlayoffs history!— QMJHL (@QMJHL) March 25, 2018
The series is now tied at 1-1.
The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles wrap up the night of #SeriesLHJMQ #QPlayoffs action with a triple OT winner in Drummondville. pic.twitter.com/XuuE0lKy5M— FlashScore.ca (@FlashScoreCA) March 25, 2018
Victoriaville 2, Gatineau 0
Game 2 of this series was close, but Victoriaville still won 3-2. Dawson Theede had a Gatineau goal.
Rouyn-Noranda 1, Sherbrooke 1
The Huskies took Game 2 by score of 6-2. We mentioned it on Friday, but it's still pretty crazy that Sherbrooke has never won a playoff series. Luke Green has not played in these playoffs for the Phoenix.
Quebec 1, Charlottetown 1
The Remparts evened up the series with a 3-0 win in Quebec City on Sunday afternoon.
Rouyn-Noranda 1, Sherbrooke 1
The Huskies took Game 2 by score of 6-2. We mentioned it on Friday, but it's still pretty crazy that Sherbrooke has never won a playoff series. Luke Green has not played in these playoffs for the Phoenix.
Quebec 1, Charlottetown 1
The Remparts evened up the series with a 3-0 win in Quebec City on Sunday afternoon.
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