Eperviers on the Brink…Again

For the second time in as many rounds, the Eperviers find themselves up 3-0 in a best of seven series. They are again leading a team that they are far superior to on paper and should be able to close out. This one has the added incentive of a ticket to the Finals. The big Q is… can they close out this Saturday Night, or will this be a repeat of Round 1?

Round one saw a heavily favored Sorel-Tracy squad rattle off three straight wins against Jonquiere. All appeared to be smooth sailing following a 4-0 win in game three. Then, either the Marquis came to life, or the Eperviers took their foot off the gas. 9 nights later, the series was tied at 3 games each and locked at 2-2 in the 3rd period of the deciding game.  In the end, Sorel-Tracy was able to pull it together and avoid the epic collapse.

Now, here they are again.

The games against the National have been anything but easy. Thursday Night’s 3-1 win has been the only multi point victory of the still young series, and the insurance marker didn’t come until the 3rd period. The National came in riding high from their upset win over top seeded Saint-Georges, and with the heavily increased home fan base that came with it.  So far, the Eperviers have managed to deal with both factors.  Now they need to deal with how to close out a team that’s playing far better than anyone expected.

Game 4 takes place Saturday at Complex Sportif l’Ancienne-Lorette.

In the other semifinal series, Laval still leads just 1-0. Following Sunday’s compressor breakdown in Riviere du Loup, the series will make up time with 3 games in 3 nights starting tonight at Centre Premier Tech.