QMJHL: Cousins Clash

The two newest teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League went head to head twice last week with the host St. John's Fog Devils defeating their expansion cousins, the Saint John Sea Dogs, in both contests.

The Devils won the series opener in St. John's by a score of 5-1, dominating every aspect of the game. Nineteen-year-old winger Nicolas Bachand led the way with a 'Gordie Howe Hat Trick'. After going the entire 2004-05 season in Rimouski without a goal, Bachand has taken full advantage of his new opportunity in St. John's with 11 goals so far this campaign.

"I'm playing with Oscar Sundh and Scott Brophy, and they're helping me a lot," said a smiling Bachand. "Last year I played on the fourth line with a different role and I was fighting a lot more. This year I'm on the first line and I'm getting lots of power play time."

The Devils' alternate captain hasn't given up fighting altogether however as he engaged in a spirited battle with Saint John rookie Brett Gallant, who had been punching his way through the Maritime Jr. A League this season before being called up.

"I didn't know who he was, but he asked me to go", said Bachand when questioned about Gallant's invitation. "I said 'no' at first because I have this injured thumb, but then I thought it would be a good show for the fans."

The Sea Dogs delivered a much better effort in the second game, though still emerged on the losing end of a 6-3 decision. St. John's rookie rearguard Pat O'Keefe scored the winning goal midway through the third period, the first of his QMJHL career, and then added his second just 24 seconds later.

"It hasn't sunk in yet - I'm still in shock," O'Keefe said after the game while still being congratulated by teammates.

Although a long shot to make the club out of training camp, the 165-pound defenseman managed to become a regular on the Fog Devils' blueline. O'Keefe has made huge strides so far this season and even drawn attention from pro scouts.

Prospect Report

Jean-Simon Allard (2007), St. John's Fog Devils

The fourth-overall selection in the 2005 QMJHL Midget Draft scored his first goal of the season last Monday against Saint John. The right-shooting pivot brings a nice combination of size and skill to the ice, and has started to shown signs of finding his confidence over the last couple of weeks. Allard's outlook was further boosted recently when he was named to Team Quebec for the upcoming World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Regina.

"He's representing his province, which is a step before he gets the opportunity to represent his country", said St. John's coach and GM Real Paiement. "And its going to be against the best competition in the world."

A former head coach of Team Canada at the World Junior Championships, Paiement is well-versed in the positives that a trip to the Under-17's can have on player like Allard.

"It's not only on-ice benefits, but the social experience and maturing as a young person. To be with the best players from all the provinces and from the other countries is just great," said Paiement. "I've gone to those (tournaments), and I've seen players go, and it just elevates them."

"We might not see the dividends in the second half of this season, but we'll see them next year. I think Allard is gaining confidence game after game, he's doing more things with the puck, he's become more physical, and I think he's preparing himself well for that tournament."