Seeking post-season success

MacKinnon hoping Oceanic can get past first round for first time during his QMJHL career

Carson MacKinnon is looking to win his first playoff series of his Quebec Major Junior Hockey League career.

“There’s a couple of guys that have been here for the past two years with me as well, and we haven’t won a series,” the Rimouski Oceanic forward said. “A lot of the guys are itching to make sure we start off on the right note and hopefully make a deep playoff run.”

The Oceanic finished third overall in the regular season and play the 14th-seeded Moncton Wildcats in the first round of the playoffs starting Friday.

The Oceanic lost to the Charlottetown Islanders in six games of Round 1 in 2016 and were swept by the top-ranked Saint John Sea Dogs a year ago. The Oceanic has Samuel Dove-McFalls and Chase Stewart from last year’s Sea Dogs squad on this year’s roster. MacKinnon said they have shared their experience with the Oceanic club as they prepare for the playoffs.

MacKinnon, who has two goals and an assist in 10 playoff games, is looking forward to beginning the post-season, which provides an opportunity for all players to start fresh.

“I really hope I can be that kind of playoff player, the type of guy that can step up his game when it matters the most,” he said.

On paper, the Oceanic is the favourite heading into series, but the series will be played on the ice.

“Moncton is a great team. Offensively, they probably have one of the better offences in the league. We’re not going to take them lightly at all,” MacKinnon said. “The standings from the regular season don’t matter now. Every team has that one goal and that’s to make the finals and win that (President) Cup.”