Olympiques edge past Huskies in QMJHL opener
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies lost 2:4 to Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL on Saturday evening. The result shifted expectations for both sides, with the visitors proving more clinical despite playing their first game of the season. Our earlier prediction of a home victory did not materialise, and the match turned on moments we failed to anticipate.
The Huskies sit sixth after four matches, with two wins and two losses to their name. Gatineau have yet to take the ice, so the table offers little context for their standing. This was a clean slate for the away side and a chance to build momentum for Rouyn-Noranda.
Rouyn-Noranda came into this fixture on mixed form. They beat Val-d'Or 3:0 before Christmas and lost 2:5 in the same fixture, then suffered a 2:3 defeat to Sudbury in their most recent outing. Gatineau had won 4:2 against Val-d'Or and 5:2 against Blainville in their last two games before losing 3:4 to the Huskies earlier this month.
The scoreline suggested a game that opened up quickly. We had backed the hosts at 60 per cent confidence, but the visitors ended a barren spell and took control without much warning. And here's the thing — the match did not unfold along the lines we expected.
Rouyn-Noranda remain in the lower half of the table with four points from four games. Gatineau now have one match under their belt and will look to convert that early advantage into consistency. The gap between the sides is still narrow, but this result gives the visitors a foothold.