With the 77th overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, the Florida Panthers selected goalie Samuel Montembeault. He’s progressed over the last couple of seasons and after helping carry his team to the QMJHL Presidents Cup final this year, they must overcome a 2-0 series deficit.
After a string of good performances in rookie camp and the preseason, the question was where Montembeault would play the 2016-17 season. Ultimately, he landed back in Boisbriand to play for the Armada in what will likely be the last season of his QMJHL career.
Early in the season he’d cruise to 11-3-0 while recording two shutouts along the way. Also boasting a miniscule 1.85 goals against average and a .933 save percentage through those 14 starts. Unfortunately a knee injury would sideline him for about a month after his great start.
However, his back up Francis Leclerc would pick up the slack while he was out and the Armada would hover around first place in the CHL. In the first 30 games of the season Blainville-Boisbriand would only surrender 69 goals, which lead the league at the time.
Then after sitting out since November, Montembeault would make his return December 9th against the Halifax Mooseheads. He obviously didn’t miss a beat, making 24 saves and solidifying a 3-0 shut out win for the Armada.
He’d finish the season somewhat strong and in 41 games would put up a 2.40 GAA and a .907 save percentage. Great numbers for his overage year in the QMJHL, that was cut slightly short with injury.
That wouldn’t be it from there as he would lead his team into the Presidents Cup playoffs. They’d go on to face the Acadie-Bathurst Titans in the quarterfinals. In game 3, Montembeault would leave the game with an injury and miss the next one in result.
Great save by #FlaPanthers Samuel Montembeault on a one-time shot from the low slot tonight vs. Sherbrooke: pic.twitter.com/1qjfcWox4R
— Cats On The Prowl (@Cats0ntheprowl) February 11, 2016
Blainville-Boisbriand now found themselves in a 3-1 hole, but Monty would return to the net in-game 5. He’d come back to lead them to three straight wins, while only allowing three goals in total through those games.
He’d be able to pretty much cruise through the next series, starting all five games. Cruise because, the Armada would only have to overcome a small 1-0 deficit this time before winning four straight to advance.
The last team standing in the way, Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau’s former team the St. John’s Seadogs. They’re an offensive juggernaut and have given Montembeault fits the first couple of games.
After giving up 9 goals in the first 2 games of the series, Montembeault hopes to turn it around. Whether they overcome the Sea Dogs or not, Montembeault’s playoff numbers prior to the series have been very impressive.