Coaching Duel

As I had predicted (sort of), the Moncton Wildcats learned a hard lesson by losing a chance to earn a bye straight the the Memorial Cup final and won a hard-fought game against the Vancouver Giants last night to make it to the final game.

The Moncton - Vancouver game was a great one until a few idiots on the Giants' team decided to embarass their team and their coach by gooning it up in the last seconds. I understand how emotional players get in these situations, that was a disgraceful display of sportsmanship from the Giants.

But, I digress. On to the final game...

The Moncton Wildcats and the Quebec Remparts have already gone head-to-head in the QMJHL final and it was a great series. Both teams are evenly matched, both in skill and in their hatred for each other. This will make for an intense game.

On paper, the Remparts seem to have more skill. They do have, after all, the CHL player of the year in Alexander Radulov. He and Mathieu Melanson, the son of 3-time Stanley cup goalie and current goalie coach for the Habs Roland Melanson, have been tearing it up in the post-season.

The key to Moncton's game is balance, goaltending and coaching. The first two are important, but the latter may well be what gives the Wildcats the edge.

Much has been written about the two high profile coaches that will be behind the benches in this final, but I believe Ted Nolan has the edge over rookie coach Patrick Roy. Regardless of Roy's outbursts and antics, he still is a very "green" coach and I think Nolan will have his team better prepared.

When Roy said, earlier in the tournament, that Moncton was bound to finally lose at home that that their Goalie, Josh Tordjman was due to play a bad game, he was right. Problem is, the Wildcats had their bad game and are now, once again, firing on all cylinders. Roy may have gotten what he wanted earlier, but he may regret that by tomorrow.

In the end, I am nothing but a "homer" and somewhat of a bandwagon jumper, but I make no excuses for it.

Go Cats Go!