Roaring Back to Life

The cliche machine would have labeled game 3 of the series between Chris Doyle's Victoriaville Tigre and the Saint John's Sea Dogs as a "must win" for the Tigre. It would have also said the "odds were stacked against them" as Saint Johns was riding a 10 game winning streak entering game 3.

All of which means the stage was set for the Tigre to win game 3 which they did 6-3 to get right back into their QMJHL semi-final series. Chris Doyle scored his 4th goal of the playoffs as part of a 3 goal first period outburst as the Tigre for the first time in the series never let down and stayed on the attack.

For Doyle, his goal broke an 7 game streak without a goal and hopefully it will be the start of a hot streak. Doyle has had a lot to deal with during the QMJHL playoffs off the ice and has not been able to get back on track until tonight.

Doyle is still on the edge when it comes down to whether or not the Rangers will be offering him a contract before the 2010 draft. Doyle has to stand out if he has any hope of getting that professional contract.

It is not helping that if you take away his first game of the playoffs when Doyle was 2-2-4 and just 2-2-4 in his next 10 games. Doyle has an opening here and he has to take it as he may not get many other chances.

For his sake we hope Doyle realizes and understands that despite scoring a goal that he has to do more than 1 shot and 1 hit no matter whether the Tigre win or lose.

As for the series, the Tigre get to host the next 2 games at home as this series is being played in the 2-3-2 format. Game 4 will be Friday night.

(Doyle courtesy of Benoit Dery)