Death of a Season

The Undertaker (WWE)

It has been a pretty good playoff season with a mostly competitive bunch of games and until Tuesday evening there had not been a really bad elimination for one of the prospects. But sadly for Loic Leduc (NYI 2012 4th) and his Rimouski Oceanic we bring out the Undertaker to bury them after they gave away game 7 of their QMJHL playoff series with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

The Oceanic let a 4-0 first period lead disappear and lost in sudden death overtime 8-7 to see their season come to a disappointing ending. There really is not a whole lot one can say when you give away that kind of lead but that is what the Oceanic did. Their 4-0 first period lead started disappearing really quickly in the 2nd period as the Armada scored twice in the first 2:02 of the period.

The Oceanic would answer to make it a 5-2 lead at 3:49 but the Armada came right back with yet another goal 38 seconds later to make it a 5-3 game. The Armada would add a power play goal before the period ended to only trail by 5-4 setting up a wild finish.

In the 3rd period, the Armada would tie the game up at 5-5 at the 1:59 mark, take their first lead of the game at 6:35 at 6-5. The Oceanic would not go away as they tied the game back up at 6-6 with a goal at 12:20 and then would regain the lead at 7-6 at 16:14. This time it would be the Armada who did not quit as they forced overtime when they scored 44 seconds later at 17:08 and it was off to sudden death overtime.

In the overtime the Armada would score the series winner capping a 2 game comeback and send their team off to the QMJHL semifinals. It is a sad ending for the Oceanic who had a magnificent run down the home stretch winning 16 straight games but they can only blame themselves.

For Loic Leduc it now becomes decision time as the 6'6 defender needs to be signed by the Islanders or take his chances as an overage player next season in the QMJHL. Honestly I don't believe Leduc despite some major strides he has made this season deserves a NHL entry level contract because he needs a lot more work on everything.

But if the Islanders don't sign him there will be someone who will as size is the one area you can't teach.

So what is left of the prospects?

Islanders:

Griffin Reinhart (2012 1st) defense Edmonton Oil Kings
Adam Pelech (2012 3rd) defense Erie Otters

Rangers

Troy Donnay (2013 UFA) defense Erie Otters
Ryan Graves (2013 4th) defense Val-d'Or Foreurs
Mackenzie Skapski (2013 6th) goalie with a game 7 Wednesday evening in Medicine Hat