ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec (Interstat) — A heated QMJHL rivalry resumes Friday when the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies host the Val-d’Or Foreurs at Aréna Glencore in a crucial late-season matchup for both clubs.

The Huskies (38-24-0) enter as the clear favorite, boasting a 12-win advantage in the standings over their regional foe. They are riding a wave of momentum with a 7-1-1 record in their last nine games, including a 3-1 road victory over Gatineau on March 14. Defenseman Antoine St-Laurent has been a catalyst for that success, recording two goals and six assists over his last 10 contests. His offensive production from the blue line will be key against a struggling Val-d’Or defense.

The Foreurs (26-36-0) are mired in a difficult stretch, having lost eight of their last 10 games. They were shut out 4-0 in Sherbrooke on March 14, highlighting recent scoring woes. Defenseman Jacob Gouchie, a player to watch for Val-d’Or, brings a physical edge but has been held off the scoresheet in four straight games, with his last point being an assist on Feb. 22.

Recent history between the teams suggests a tightly contested battle despite the disparity in records. Four of the last six meetings have been decided by a single goal, including a 6-5 overtime win for Val-d’Or in Rouyn-Noranda on Jan. 9. However, the Huskies have taken three of those six matchups, including a 2-1 win in Val-d’Or on Jan. 16.

For the Foreurs, reversing their fortunes will require solving Huskies goaltenders and generating offense beyond forwards like Maxime Coursol, who fired six shots in the loss to Sherbrooke. The Huskies will look to leverage their superior record and home-ice advantage to solidify their playoff positioning.

The two teams will turn around and meet again in Val-d’Or on Saturday night, making this home-and-home set pivotal for the final stretch of the QMJHL season. Puck drop Friday is set for 7 p.m. local time.