Saguenéens and Huskies tied 2-2 before Game 5 at Centre Georges-Vézina — Lhjmq
The lhjmq semifinal is tied 2-2 after four games, and Game 5 shifts to the Centre Georges-Vézina on Friday night. The Huskies and the Saguenéens have split the first four games, turning the series into a best-of-three with no margin for another slow start.
Bernier Wants Adjustments
Alexis Bernier said the Saguenéens were not satisfied with their last game and knew they could do better. He also said the Huskies worked harder than they did, a blunt assessment after Wednesday’s game in Rouyn-Noranda.
"On n’est pas satisfaits à l’interne, on sait qu’on est capables de mieux" and "Ils ont travaillé plus fort que nous, on le sait. Ce n’est rien de ce qu’on n’est pas capables de faire, on savait à quoi s’attendre. C’est une équipe qui mérite d’être là où elle est. C’est un match à oublier, on fait les ajustements et on va être prêts à jouer un bon match devant nos partisans."
The goal ruled out on Wednesday stayed in the background Thursday, when Yanick Jean said he had no further comment on it. The Saguenéens coach said every new game is a blank page, a message aimed squarely at a group that had not lost two games in a row since February 1.
Huskies Put Pressure On
Steve Hartley said his team put pressure on a very experienced defense in the last five periods, and he said that was the standard the Huskies planned to keep. The numbers backed up the edge: Rouyn-Noranda fired 42 shots in the game played Wednesday.
Charles Laforest added the other side of the scoreboard for the Huskies, scoring his third goal of the playoffs and helping his team lead 4-2. That gave Rouyn-Noranda the kind of cushion that forced Chicoutimi to answer with more urgency before the series moves again.
Emmanuel Vermette was direct about the response the Saguenéens need. He said the team’s level of competitiveness was not good enough in the last games, then added that they could not let the Huskies work harder than they did.
Centre Georges-Vézina Pressure
Friday night now carries the weight of a best-of-three. The Saguenéens get Game 5 at home, where Bernier said they expect to be ready to play a good match in front of their supporters. For the Huskies, the task is just as clear: keep the pressure they found in the last five periods and try to leave with control of the semifinal.
Yanick Jean said the team has bounced back before when challenges arrived, and that preparation has been central to its season. The next shift in this series starts with that reset, and the side that handles it better will have the first real grip on the semifinal.
