The Victoriaville Lynx are struggling to find their rhythm this season. During their doubleheader held Saturday evening (June 29), Éric Pinard’s squad lost 5-3 and 11-8 against the Granby Mustangs.
It’s starting to get late for the Lynx if they want to make the playoffs. The two defeats on Saturday evening (June 29) greatly harmed Victoriaville. Once again, the same problems resurfaced for the dek hockey team. “The evenings follow one another and are similar. We had the matches in hand and we escaped them in the last moments through excitement and match management. They were within our reach, but at the end of each meeting, we collapse. It’s difficult to explain,” lamented Éric Pinard, head coach and general manager of the team.
During the first game, the Lynx fell by a score of 5-3. Jérémy Michaud (5th), Shawn Élément (1st) and Charles-Olivier Nadeau (11th) scored in the defeat.
In the second game, which was very offensive, Victoriaville lost 11-8. As the coach mentioned, the game was accessible for the Lynx. Indeed, Pinard’s protégés were leading, a few minutes before the end of the game, 8-5 against the Mustangs. The opponent quietly came back from behind to come away with the victory. Shawn Élément (2nd and 3rd), Mathieu Viau-Renouff (2nd), Maël Plante (11th), Jérémy Michaud (6th), Mathis Proulx (2nd), Mikael Jutras-Plante (6th) and Charles-Olivier Nadeau (12th) all scored in the game.
Shawn Element also made his debut with the Lynx this season. The forward did well offensively with a performance of three goals and three assists in two games. “He played a good game. He needs to get back into it. As they say, it’s another level for him. He plays a little to stay in shape. His status and his involvement change the team’s game a little, but I think he’ll be even better next Friday (July 5),” said the head coach.
The Lynx’s next schedule will be played against the ProStyle Lettrage de Lévis, in Victoriaville, on Friday (July 5). These two games will be of capital importance for the team’s survival. According to Pinard, this will be “the last chance” for his team. The Lynx are currently in 11th place in the general standings with eight points. They are two points behind the Glissières Desbiens de Louiseville and four points behind the Mobux de McMaster. Victoriaville has a record of 2 wins and 12 losses in 14 games.
Women’s section
The Lynx women’s team was also in action on Saturday (June 29). Victoriaville won two of its three games against McMaster and Boucherville. The only loss was against the Anjou team. “We haven’t moved much in the standings, but these victories give us confidence,” mentioned Éric Pinard. The next program will take place on Friday (July 5) against Sherbrooke, in Victoriaville.
During Saturday, the revenge of the Battle of 122 also took place. Victoriaville scored victories in three categories, atom pee-wee and bantam. Drummondville had the upper hand in the novice class. During the next edition of the Battle of 122, which will take place on a date not yet confirmed, the city of Sorel would be added to this mini-tournament.
