QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — For the second time in last the three games, the
Armada goaltender Etienne Marcoux photo by Serge Poulin
Blainville-Boisbriand head coach Jean-Francois Houle didn’t hesitate in praising his team effort.
“It was a good outing for us, we continue to play good hockey. Etienne Marcoux made great saves in the beginning of the game, we were patient, we wait our chances and we scored on them,”
The Armada coach said his team’s second goal was key.
Defenseman Olivier Picard photo by Serge Poulin
“The second one, as the game progressed we played better. We were patient keeping the score thigh and it was the way we played since the beginning of the year. I’m very proud of our players’ effort.”
As the game progressed, the play began to be rougher. Teams ended checks along the board, referees called more penalties but the goaltenders continued to exchange great saves until Tommy Giroux was the first to see his shot going behind Quebec netminder. Taking a rebound from Olivier Picard, the Armada center’ shot from the slot beat Brassard high over his left shoulder with 55 seconds remaining to the period.
Leading 1-0 after two periods of play the visitors continued to play thigh game trying to minimize mistake in their defensive zone that could gave first goal to Quebec. Giroux with his second of the game with 7:33 gone in the third period seemed to score what became the back breaking goal.
Taking a shot at Quebec blue line, Blainville-Boisbriand defenseman Olivier Picard saw his shot go high on Quebec netminder glove side giving a 3-0 lead to the visitors. Blainville-Boisbriand on their last power play opportunity (1 for 7 for the night) to make it 4-0.
Frederick Roy photo by Serge Pouin
Scoring only 1 goal in their last three games, Quebec players began to let their frustration get the best taking bad penalties forcing them to defend themselves instead of trying to get first goal on board.
Playing key role on Quebec first line Frederick Roy seem to lose control for a moment, being thrown out of the game for a knee-to-knee hit veteran Armada center Samuel Hodhod at 17:41 of third period (possibility of suspension).
Questioned about Roy’s hit on Hodhod the Armada head coach seemed disappointed blaming the hit.
“Not happy at all,” Houle commented. “At the end I didn’t know who I should send on the ice to prevent other possible injury. When it was like that it isn’t funny. We are here to play hockey it’s not cool to be like that but it seem to be part of the game.”
Asked about the seriousness of the injury, the Armada head coach offered, “He will see our doctor tomorrow but it seems serious.”
For Quebec head coach Patrick Roy one of the turning points seemed to be the Clapperton hit with his stick that wasn’t penalized by referee.
Francois Brassard photo by Serge Poulin
“Turning point of the game,” was the first Quebec head coach answer to the first question. “I’m in hockey long enough and what was insulting was the invention by referee when they come to the bench. For me they were more prepared to count history to coaches than to tell you the truth. I missed the hit, he said (the referee) that the stick hit the puck that’s why he dropped the stick. Honestly I found it damage, I didn’t say that we would win the game but it was certainly a turning point in the game. We had a real good chance to score.”
Talking about his son’s hit, Quebec head coach Roy said, “From the angle I was I had to say that I saw it as a clean hit. What I saw was a guy trying to step aside can’t say better than that.”
“Our power play didn’t score but we have had great chances, we have had 27 good scoring chances after two periods we simply did not scored. We miss confidence around the net, Marcoux was good, we are anxious around the goal we don’t take time to make the good move. These are elements that contributed to make us look bad. We can’t be proud of the way we reacted, I would prefer to see us discipline.” Roy said about his team 0-5 with a man advantage.
Quebec will end regular season playing tonight hosting the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday
Saint John 4 vs. Cape Breton 0
Prince Edward Island 6 vs. Moncton 5 (shootout)
Halifax 2 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 3 (shootout)
Shawinigan 5 vs. Victoriaville 7
Val-d’Or 4 vs. Baie-Comeau 8
Chicoutimi 4 vs. Rimouski 7
Gatineau 2 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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