Lions ‘devastated’ after virus robs them of shot at Telus Cup

Gerry Gomez, head coach of the Lac St. Louis Lions, said his players were obviously disappointed after learning that the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League has been shut down until further notice.

The Lions had captured the first two games of their quarter-final playoff series against the St-eustache Vikings after earning a 4-1 triumph last Wednesday at the Dollard Civic Centre.

The following day, the league announced it was suspending all play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gomez said the news hit his players hard.

“From what I’ve heard from the players and some of the parents, they’re devastated. We’re not the only ones, obviously. It’s happening across every sport, even the NHL. Everything is shutting down.”

“It’s still hard, though,” he added. “Any athlete who is competing for something — be it the world figure skating championship, hockey, whatever — if you take it away from the players or athletes, it’s a killer.

“I’m still in a bit of daze myself,” Gomez added. “It’s just not clear to me because this was my first season as coach. We have a chance and ... anyways.”

Gomez noted the league made the right decision to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and fans.

“You can’t take any chances with something like this (pandemic),” he said.

Gomez said the Lions were on a roll in the playoffs after eliminating the Gatineau Intrepide in the opening round, then winning the opening two games of a best-of-five series against St-eustache.

“We were in a good position as a team, we had a really solid second half of the season,” Gomez said.

“Since about mid-november till the end of the season, we were something like 24 wins and six losses in our last 30 games. We haven’t lost back-to-back games since mid-november.”

Gomez firmly believed his redhot Lions had a shot at reaching the Telus Cup, the national midget hockey championships. But even the Telus Cup, set for next month in St-hyacinthe, has now been cancelled.

“I’m biased, naturally, but I think that we could have won this whole thing and gone off to the Telus Cup,” he said.

Despite a premature end to the season, Gomez said he’s pleased with the team’s performance this season.

“This season was satisfactory. In hockey, as they always say, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. You make sure you ascend throughout the year. We finished strong because everybody bought into their role. Guys were dialed in to what we were doing.”

A couple of Lions forwards were enjoying excellent playoffs.

Alexi Van Houtte-cachero led all playoff scorers through six games with nine goals and four assists for 13 points, while teammate William Blackburn was second in the scoring parade with 11 points on eight goals and three assists.

Gomez said his players, like elite athletes everywhere, will now have to adjust to being sidelined indefinitely.

“From minor hockey to pro, it’s a destabilizer for them. Not being able to do what they love and getting it taken away so quickly without preparation, it messes with the mental side of things. So we have to keep an eye on all these guys, especially the younger guys.

“And the sooner they can get back on the ice, that helps the ‘healing’ of being back at their sport,” Gomez said.