Coming off a tough loss in their home opener the week prior, the Comets were hungry for their first victory of the new season. Facing off with an undefeated Maniwaki squad, they knew they had to come out strong and make a statement.

From the drop of the puck, the Comets made their presence known, scoring five unanswered goals in the first period giving them a comfortable 5-0 advantage going into the break.

In the second period, Matthew Warren’s goalscoring barrage continued, as he found the back of the net for a fourth time this season.

But, the Forestiers answered with a couple snipes of their own on the powerplay, making it 6-2 by the second intermission.

In the third period, the Comets shut things down defensively before forward Yann Neveu put up an insurance marker, bringing the score to 7-2.

After a less than stellar performance in his first start of the season, allowing six goals on 32 shots, Comets goaltender Danick Boisvert put up a spectacular performance against a Forestiers offense that peppered him with a whopping 61 shots.

Amassing 59 saves (29 in the second period), a .967 save percentage and the win, Boisvert redeemed himself, earning first star honours and was also recognized as the league’s first star of the week.

“It was probably one of my best games in this league,” he said. “In the first game, for sure they got opportunistic on a few goals. I remember one where they were alone in the slot, they were able to score a couple of goals where I didn’t really have chance. Some I should’ve had but others let’s say I wasn’t as lucky as I needed to be.”

Led by committee, the Comets’ potent attack was finally brought to life as five of its forwards notched a couple of points, including Hugo Petit and Neveu who scored two goals each.

Comets’ captain Darcy Findlay added a goal and an assist to the scoresheet. David Croteau also shined with two assists of his own, bringing his total to five on the season.

After the game, Boisvert spoke very highly about the defensive system implemented by his new coaching staff and pointed to it as a major factor for their success on both ends of the ice.

“We started the game with a defensive system of covering the middle of the ice,” he said. “When we had our chances, we went for them and it worked. We scored five goals in the first. I think we kind of caught them off guard a little bit at the start.”

With their first win of the season, Boisvert believes his squad has finally established an identity of solid defensive structure and relentless work ethic.

Going into their next game, he’s quite confident about their chances of building its momentum and stacking up the win column this season.

“I think we’re a good team,” he said. “We also have great chemistry in the dressing room. It feels good to get our first win with this new team and I think the guys are motivated for more.”

The Comets currently sit in third place in the Outaouais Senior AA Hockey League (OSAAHL) with two points in as many games, just a game back of first place.

For their next game, the Comets will visit the OSAAHL’s newest expansion team, the Mont-Tremblant Diables at l’Arena Gilles Cadieux on Oct. 19.

Their next home game is on Oct. 26 where they host the Maniwaki Forestiers at the Fort Coulonge arena.

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