Road to the 2019 Esso Cup: As de Québec

Chameleon-like might be a good descriptor for the As de Québec.

Head coach Myriam Croussette says her squad produced a solid 16-7-7 record in the Ligue de hockey d’excellence du Québec because of its ability to play any style of game. The capacity to do so is due to the variety of the players on the roster.

“We have every kind of player on this team,” says Croussette. “I have players who are great at offence, players who are great at defence. I have some who play well north-south, and I have others that are good at going east-west.”

This balance is evident in Québec’s stat line. It averaged more than three goals a game (93 in 30) while only surrendering two (60 in 30). It managed the second most goals in the LHEQ despite not having one skater finish among the top 10 scorers.

The As – with plenty of provincial championships on the roster – looked like a team decorated with veteran poise at the Coupe Dodge provincials.

They overcame an 0-2 start by picking up three straight one-goal wins to earn the title – they defeated the league-leading Remparts du Richelieu 2-1 in the quarter-finals, tamed the Harfangs du Triolet 1-0 in the semifinals; and they capped their run to gold with a 1-0 whitewash of the Stars 55 de Mauricie-CDQ.

“We are a big moment team,” says Crousette. “We were able to win with our depth.”

A different player scored each of the club's five goals at the tournament, and goaltending was clutch; Justine Sylvain posted two shutouts and a 1.00 goals-against average over her four starts in net.

Croussette is excited to see how her team performs at the Esso Cup because an event of this magnitude “reveals the true character of a team.” She thinks her team’s offensive depth – nine players recorded at least 15 points in 30 games – will allow it to compete well on the national stage.

HOW THEY GOT TO SUDBURY

Coupe Dodge
Preliminary round: lost to Amazones de Laval-Montréal 3-0
Preliminary round: lost to Etoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière 2-1
Quarter-final: defeated Remparts du Richelieu 2-1
Semifinal: defeated Harfangs du Triolet 1-0
Championship game: defeated Stars 55 de Mauricie-CDQ 1-0

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-T): 16-7-7 (4th in LHEQ)
Goals for: 93 (T-2nd in LHEQ)
Goals against: 60 (4th in LHEQ)
Longest winning streak: 5 (Oct. 14-28)
Top 3 scorers:
- Anne-Sophie Bedard – 10G 13A 23P (12th in LHEQ)
- Noémie Jockims – 10G 12A 22P (T-14th in LHEQ)
- Syrine Kacem– 10G 12A 22P (T-14th in LHEQ)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 3-2
Goals for: 5
Goals against: 6
Top 3 scorers:
- Jade Picard – 0G 2A 2P
- Anne-Sophie Bedard – 1G 0A 1P
- Rose-Marie Brochu 1G 0A 1P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

First appearance

PLAYERS TO WATCH

JADE PICARD
plays in all situations … very good hockey sense … great shot from the point … well-rounded skill set

JUSTINE SYLVAIN
technically-sound goaltender … never panics … very good anticipation … plays bigger than her size

NOÉMIE VERMETTE
power forward … always a threat to score … tremendous vision … raises her game for big moments