QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Back from the Phoenix Coyotes training camp last Friday, Quebec veteran goaltender Louis Domingue offered a solid performance in front of 10295 fans leading his team to a 5-1 victory over the Moncton Wildcats.
The fifth-round selection in 2010 (138th overall) kept a good souvenir from his experience with the Coyotes.
“It was formidable, I enjoyed it at the maximum it was a little boy’s dream,” said the Mont-St-Hilaire native.
“Playing against NHL players, you didn’t have the time to realize that you played against NHL guys, you get in the game and try to perform the best you can.”
Giving his first impression of his performance after tending his first game
Moncton goaltender Roman Will down after Quebec first goal scored by Adam Erne photo taken by Serge Poulin
Back on the ice after winning their last two games against Victoriaville Tigres (5-3) and Chicoutimi Sagueneens, (9-1) Quebec broke the ice scoring two goals inside 8:32. Coming out from behind the net, Adam Erne who ended his night with three points (2 goals), took a rebound from Ryan Culkin shot from the blue line, beating Moncton netminder Roman Will 2:14 into the opening period.
Quebec came back 6:00 later with their second goal at 8:32. Criticized by his head coach, Patrick Roy who expected to have more commitment from his second defensive pairing with Brandon Duke, Culkin who already had an assist on his team’s first goal beat the Wildcats netminder with a shot from the blue line.
Quebec added to their lead with 46 seconds remaining to the opening period. Working deep in Moncton zone, rookie Anthony Duclair saw his backhand shot hit a skate before seeing the Moncton goalie push the puck in his own net trying to pick it up with his glove.
Trailing by three after the first twenty minutes and being dominated 10- 3 in shots on goal, the visitors came back in second period shooting 16 times on Quebec goaltender without being able to put one puck behind Domingue.
Wildcats netminder was unable to do anything on Quebec second goal scored by defenseman Ryan Culkin photo taken by Serge Poulin
Quebec ended the second with 7 shots.
Roy gave credit to his veteran goaltender highlighting his performance in second period.
“Louis played very well especially in the second period, the game should have been a 2-1 or 3-2 game but he made several key saves, and it’s what we want to see from our goaltender,” Roy said.
“It’s what we want to see, a goaltender that is able step up his game, make key saves that keep us in the game, and that’s what Louis did in second periods.”
Talking about his team overall performance the Remparts head coach said that he adored what he saw against Moncton.
“I have to say I adored the team performance tonight, what I like the most is, we brought the puck to the net, and when you did that things happens. I think about the Erne’s goal, the goal by Anthony (Duclair), defensively, we played very good game. We didn’t play well in second period, I attributed that to the fact we led 3-0 and maybe we felt little bit comfortable. We discussed it after the second period and came back to what we did best in first forty minutes, and that’s what the guys did in the third,” Roy added.
Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue made 24 saves on Moncton 25 shots in his first victory after being sent down a week ago from Phoenix Coyotes training camp photo taken by Serge Poulin
After being dominated in middle frame, and with the young Duclair missing his penalty shot, Quebec stepped on the ice scoring two additional goals, with the last one on the power play after being shutout in first four.
Mikhail Grigorenko scored Quebec fourth goal in the game his fifth of the year, when the Russian winger completed a two-on-one, beating Roman Will over his left shoulder at 6:25.
Quebec came back 2:21 later with Erne second goal in the game on Quebec fifth power play opportunities. After seeing his teammates Michael McNamee shot being blocked by Wildcats netminder, Erne took the rebound seeing his shot beat Will on his stick side at 8:46.
In a losing cause, Moncton avoided the shutout when Devon MacAusland beat Domingue at 12:09.
Quebec will return in action this Sunday afternoon hosting the Shawinigan Cataractes.
Other games in the QMJHL
Halifax 3 vs. Cape Breton 4
Saint John 4 vs. Drummondville 2
Rouyn-Noranda 6 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 2
Acadie-Bathurst 2 vs. Shawinigan 7
Gatineau 2 vs. Val-d’Or 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.