The Quarter-Finals Are All Set

SAINT JOHN – With the Acadie-Bathurst Titan getting eliminated earlier today, only eight teams remain in the hunt for the President’s Cup.

As expected, the first round was about as entertaining as an episode of Whitney. Every series was a sweep except for the Bathurst/Chicoutimi matchup that ended with a Game 6 today. Hopefully the quarter-finals will provide us with some more drama.

Here are your second round matchups:

Saint John (1) vs Baie-Comeau (13)

Shawinigan (2) vs Chicoutimi (8)

Blainville-Boisbriand (3) vs Rimouski (7)

Quebec (5) vs Halifax (6)

The Halifax/Quebec series should basically blow up the internet with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikhail Grigorenko going head-to-head. Buckle up for that one.

It’s been a long time coming for some of these franchises. Baie-Comeau hasn’t made it to the second round since 2006-07, Halifax hasn’t been here since 2007-08, and Chicoutimi will appear in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2005-06.

Also worth noting – every team the Sea Dogs have ever played in the QMJHL playoffs in previous years has been eliminated. PEI, Bathurst, Rouyn-Noranda, Cape Breton, Victoriaville, Gatineau, Moncton, and Lewiston (RIP) will not be moving on. 

Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation