Sherbrooke Phoenix beat Baie-Comeau Drakkar 6:1 in the QMJHL on Friday night. The hosts opened the scoring early and never looked back. Three wins on the trot now, though the scoreline tells you more than the result alone.
Phoenix came out sharp. They had the pace and the space in the first period, pushing Drakkar back. The visitors sat deep and soaked it up, but the pressure told. By the time the second period started, the gap was already growing. There is unrest in the dressing room when you concede like that.
We had called for Phoenix at 61 per cent confidence. The game proved that call right. It was not a surprise to see them take control — they have been on a good run, even if the odd result against Rimouski showed they are not untouchable. Tonight was different. They were out-thought on the touchline, and Drakkar paid for it.
Phoenix sit third after seven games, five wins and two losses. Drakkar remain rooted at tenth, eight defeats from eight. The table does not lie. A side without a win after eight rounds has a mountain to climb. The gap in points will widen, and the pressure mounts.
The recent form confirms what the scoreline suggests. Phoenix dropped points against Rimouski and Blainville, but they bounce back. Drakkar have lost six of their last seven, including a 6:0 hammering at Chicoutimi. Cup football has its own rules, but this is the regular season. They need to find a way to stop the bleeding.
