QMJHL: Wildcats Sweep Fog Devils

The Moncton Wildcats swept a recent two-game set against the St. John's Fog Devils at Mile One Centre. Moncton came away with a 6-3 win in the first game and then followed that effort up with a 4-2 win the following night to complete the sweep. Combined the teams have sixteen 2007 draft-eligible players (most of whom were in action) and two NHL drafted players. McKeen's was on hand for the two-game set and files this report.

Keith Bombaugh (2007), D, St. John's

Averaged 16-minutes per game, while paired on the second unit with Kyle Stanley .. limited time on the power play, more time on the penalty kill and saw some four-on-four action .. finished with no points, a minus-two rating, four PIM's and just one shot on goal .. continues to skate with his head down .. is slow moving the puck, takes extra strides much too often .. exhibits poor decision-making (mind blowing) and looks completely lost at times .. usually shows a glimpse each game of how he needs to play, but again overall consistency remains a serious issue.

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

His second sub-par series in a row on home ice .. averaged 21-minutes of icetime while centering the second line between Matt Fillier and Mario Kempe .. played in all situations finishing with three assists, a minus-one rating, two PIM's and just two shots on goal .. took 18 face-offs, winning only seven and still needing improvement in this area .. displayed his stickhandling ability .. displayed his vision and passing skills but was not too involved offensively .. seemed to be coasting more than usual and going through the motions at times .. needs to regain the competitiveness he has displayed on a number of occasions this season.

Mario Kempe (2007), RW, St. John's

Another silent two-game set averaging 15-minutes of icetime skating on the clubs second line with Matt Fillier and Jean-Simon Allard .. played in all situations and finished with no points, a minus-one rating and ten shots on goal .. shots were mostly from the outside and not considered dangerous .. seemed to be skating without a purpose in this series and never demonstrated his speed on a consistent basis ..was not involved much offensively, at least not a threat .. too many times caught standing still and not moving and failed to show his usual drive and speed to the outside.

Nick Layton (2007), C, St. John's

Averaged 17-minutes of icetime centering the first line in Game 1, but moved to the fourth line and received spot duty in Game 2 .. still played in all situations, finished with no points, a minus-four rating, two PIM's, one shot on goal, and was 50 percent on face-offs (13/26) .. seemed to have some extra jump in the first game, but not in the second .. missed a few assignments defensively which led to goals-against .. was not involved offensively .. worked hard, but did not get the results…has been struggling to score lately as confidence seems to be fading.

Matt Boland (2007), D, St. John's

Averaged just seven-minutes of icetime paired with call-up- Francis-Grise Leclair on the third unit .. finished with one goal (his first QMJHL goal), a plus-one rating, 13 PIM's (not including his game misconduct in Game 2) and two shots on goal .. took unnecessary, undisciplined and "stupid penalties" .. poor decision-making and slow reaction time led to a healthy serving of turnovers and defensive gaffes .. defensive zone coverage was weak and was very easily distracted .. was involved in a fight when coming to the defense of teammate Kyle Stanley.

Matt Fillier (2007), LW, St. John's

Averaged 18-minutes of icetime per game playing in all situations and finished with no points, a minus-two rating and just one shot on goal .. threw a number of hits in both contests .. won eight of the 13 face-offs that he took .. was strong on the forecheck, a physical presence and finished his checks .. worked hard along the boards and was in the middle of scrums .. unfortunately, he lost his temper in Game 2 during the third period and received a game misconduct as frustration got the better of him .. wears his heart on his sleeve game in and game out.

T.J. Brennan (2007), D, St. John's

Recently named the QMJHL Rookie Player of the Month for February .. played in all situations and averaged 29-minutes of icetime while paired on the top unit with Maxime Dubuc .. finished with three assists, a minus-two rating, two PIM's and three shots on goal .. seemed to be rushing decisions more than usual…displayed his stickhandling ability on a few occasions but never looked to rush with the puck or join the rush as much as usual .. had a few turnovers and costly mistakes .. had trouble getting shots through and looked out of sorts offensively .. involved in a number of scrums and battles along the boards and in front of the net.

Andrew MacDonald (NYI), D, Moncton

The 6-foot-1, 185 pound Antigonish, NS native was a 2005 invitee to the Moncton Wildcats training camp .. was drafted in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL draft by the New York Islanders .. played on the Wildcats first defense unit and in all situations and logging significant and effective minutes .. finished with one assist, an even rating and three shots on goal .. solid on his skates .. a smooth skater who has an extra jump in his stride and the ability to switch gears when needed .. good stickhandling ability .. a heads up player with and without the puck .. makes strong outlet passes and not afraid to lead or join the rush on several occasions .. very vocal and directs traffic .. showed discipline and is poised with the puck and when under pressure .. solid defensively in one-on-one battles and in down-low coverage.

Pierre-Marc Lessard (2007), LW, Moncton

Selected in the fourth round in the 2005 QMJHL draft by Moncton .. the 6-foot-1, 185 pound St-Gilles-de-Lotbiniere, Quebec native skated primarily on the fourth line with Jason Lepage and Marc-Andre Labelle .. finished with no points, a minus-one rating and three shots on goal .. is an energy-type player who is responsible defensively and saw considerable time on the penalty kill .. quick first step and showed some good speed .. never created much offensively, but was not looked upon to do so .. was used after his team scored or was scored on.

Jason Lepage (2007), C, Moncton

The 5-foot-11, 175 pound Laval, Quebec native was an 11th round pick by Moncton in the 2005 QMJHL draft .. listed as a center, but played LW on the fourth line in both contests .. played at even strength and on the penalty kill, no power play time .. definitely a role player .. showed quickness with and without the puck .. played solid defensively making smart and simple plays .. an energy player who showed some offensive skills but needs to get stronger with the puck.

Randy Cameron (2007), RW, Moncton

The 5-foot-11, 170 pound Cornwall, PEI native was a third-round selection in the 2006 QMJHL draft by Moncton .. listed as a right-winger, but centered the third line in both games and played in all situations .. finished with a goal, a plus-two rating, two PIM's, three shots on goal and took 13 face-offs, winning just four .. a smooth skater with good stickhandling abilities and a quick release .. showed some speed and quickness .. was not involved offensively, but played solid defensively .. needs to gain more muscle for the one-on-one battles.

Marc-Andre Labelle (2007), RW, Moncton

The 5-foot-11, 175 pound St-Jerome, Quebec native was a 2005 invitee to the Moncton training camp .. listed as a right-winger, but centered the fourth line in both contests .. saw some power play time (limited) and never saw any penalty killing time .. finished with no points and took 18 face-offs, winning just seven .. a quick player with speed who plays hard on the puck on the forecheck .. an energy player that is solid defensively.

Matthew Brenton (2007), LW, Moncton

Listed at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, the Stewiacke, NS native was a sixth-round selection by Moncton in the QMJHL draft .. a compact player that is solid on his skates .. played at even strength and had some time on the power play .. skated on the third line in both contests finishing with no points, a plus-two rating and six shots on goal .. small and not noticeable offensively, although he does the little things well .. a solid skater but needs to get stronger for individual battles.

Nicola Riopel (2007), G, Moncton

The 5-foot-11, 165 pound St-Pie-de-Bagot, Quebec native was drafted in the first round, 14th overall by Moncton in the 2005 QMJHL draft .. played both games and surrendered five goals-against on 57 shots (11 of which were considered dangerous) .. was extremely shaky in the first game struggling and fighting the puck and had poor rebound control .. settled down somewhat and did make some big saves toward the end of the game .. looked sharper in the second game from the start and had better rebound control .. does not play the puck that well and drops down on every shot .. not overly impressive in the two-game set, but the result was a pair of victories.

Matt Marquardt (CBJ), LW, Moncton

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds this North Bay, Ontario native was an invitee to Moncton's training camp in 2005 .. the Columbus Blue Jackets selected the left-winger in the seventh round of the 2006 NHL Draft .. had a monster of a series skating on the second line playing a regular shift and seeing power play duty and four-on-four action .. finished with five goals (scored four goals in game two, three via the power play) and one assist, a plus-one rating, four PIM's and nine shots on goal .. a solid skater with long strides .. has a long reach and displays good puck protection skills .. has a quick release, is smart offensively and dangerous from the slot down .. is hard to move from in front of the net and is definitely a threat on the power play .. not a crash and bang player, but effective down low because of his size .. noticed him yapping a few times, but nothing serious, would have loved to see if he had a mean streak.