The schedule for the first round of playoffs is confirmed

BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, March 21, 2005 (QMJHL) – The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has confirmed its schedule for the first round of the 2005 playoffs. Each one of the five rounds (4 out of 7) will start next Friday, the 25th, and Saturday, the 26th. The three teams ranking first in their own division for the regular season obtain a bye into the 2nd round of playoffs. Positions 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 will start playing home while positions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 will be visiting teams.

Here are the playoffs in effect:

Baie-Comeau (13) against Chicoutimi (4)

Victoriaville (12) against Québec (5)

Drummondville (11) against Moncton (6)

Lewiston (10) against Shawinigan (7)

Cap-Breton (9) against Gatineau (8)

Once the first two games are played, the teams will be off for two days (Sunday and Monday), except for Québec and Victoriaville that will meet on Monday, March 28th rather than on Tuesday, March 29th, due to ice unavailability. They will go on with their series on Wednesday, March 30th, like the other teams.

For series with more than four games, the 5th game should be played on Friday, April 1st, except for Drummondville and Moncton who will have to meet on Saturday, April 2nd, due to ice unavailability.

For the 6th game, Sunday, April 3rd is anticipated, except for Lewiston against Shawinigan, and Moncton against Drummondville who will rather play on Monday, April 4th.

If a 7th game is necessary, it will be played on Tuesday, April 5th.

It is to be noted that the Prince Edward Island Rocket, the Foreurs de Val d’Or and the Titan d’Acadie-Bathurst will not be playing in the 2005 playoffs.

For more details on the playoff schedule, please click on one of the following links:

<a href="http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=234342412&calendar_mode=0&id_type_cal=2&id_saison=3&browse_mode=1&year1=2005&year2=2005&month1=3&month2=5&day1=24&day2=31&id_saison_equipe=-1&teammode=1&serie_ronde=8&dynOrderBy=date_match&dynOrderMode=ASC" class="lnkBase10px">* SCHEDULE, 1st PLAYOFF ROUND 2005 – Sorted by date</a>
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<a href="http://www.lhjmq.qc.ca/lang_en/index.php?page=234342412&calendar_mode=0&id_type_cal=2&id_saison=3&browse_mode=1&year1=2005&year2=2005&month1=3&month2=5&day1=24&day2=31&id_saison_equipe=-1&teammode=1&serie_ronde=8&dynOrderBy=serie_serie&dynOrderMode=ASC" class="lnkBase10px"> * SCHEDULE, 1st PLAYOFF ROUND 2005 – Sorted by series </a>
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