Jerome Gauthier-Leduc completed his strong stretch run with a bang Sunday, potting a hat-trick to lead Rimouski to a 6-3 win over Victoriaville. Gauthier-Leduc heads into the playoffs on a wicked 10-game point-streak that saw him collect 10 of his 18 season goals (as well as a +9 rating to net out to a season finish of -1). With 56 points (18+38), the puck mover finishes his 18-year old season as the #2 scorer among QMJHL defensemen. By comparison, Marc-Andre Gragnani went 16-55-71 -23 in his 18-year old season, while T.J. Brennan posted a line of 16-26-41 -15 at the same developmental point. The #12 Oceanic will face #5 seed Gatineau in the first round.
In the OHL, Marcus Foligno collected two assists as Sudbury lost at Ottawa, 7-3. The 6'3 captain finishes his final regular season of junior play with career bests in goals (23), assists (36), and plus/minus (+5). The Wolves and 67's will get reacquainted Saturday afternoon at Scotia Bank Place for game #1 of their first round playoff battle.
Gregg Sutch notched a pair of assists as Mississauga completed their excellent regular season with a 4-1 win over Barrie. The grinding 6'3 forward, who looks to have played his way back in to the lineup full-time after being in-and-out most of the past month, completes the schedule with a line of 8-20-28 +20 - all career bests. The CHL's #3 ranked Majors move on to their first-round series against Belleville.
In the WHL, Riley Boychuk scored his 18th goal of the year as Portland ended their 2010-11 campaign with a 6-3 loss to Spokane. The 6'5 Boychuk improves his season totals to 18-17-35 in the defeat, while Anthony Bardaro ('11) had a pair of goals for the winning Chiefs. Portland, the top seed in the Western Conference, will face #8 Everett in the opening round.
Matt MacKenzie did not score as Tri-City defeated Seattle in overtime, 4-3. The Americans, the #4 seed in the West, will battle Vancouver in a first-round WHL playoff series.
In the QMJHL, Cedrick Henley recorded four hits as Val-d'Or lost in overtime to Drummondville, 3-2. The Foreurs, owners of the 14th playoff seed, will face the Quebec Remparts in the opening round.
