Quebec Europen right winger Nick Sorensen number 94 ended his night with three points 1 goals Photo by Serge Poulin
The Quebec center was humble describing his feeling after his first career hat trick in the QMJHL.
“Amazing,” was Grigorenko’s first word in Quebec locker room after the game. “When I score the first goal and being kept on the ice it was great. Baie-Comeau was in first place and we win, we needed points in the standing.”
When asked how it was to play with Sorensen, the one who wears jersey number 25, gave the same answer “amazing, Nick is a good shooter, great skater and nice guy.”
Quebec European center Mikhail Grigorenko number 25 scores his first career hat trick in QMJHL Photo by Serge Poulin
The game was an excellent challenge for Patrick Roy’s team because the Drakkar represents a completely different team compared to last year, thanks to the great job done by their general manager, M. Steve Ahern.
The visitors stepped on the ice dominating the first period not just on shots on goal department, 9-3, but has had great scoring chances. Unfortunately for them, the Quebec netminder, Francois Brassard, like the night before did an excellent job blocking all Baie-Comeau shots especially during a five-on-three disadvantage following consecutive penalties to defensemen Owen Werthner (delay of game) 13:38 and to Mikael Tam (holding) 14:54.
While the Quebec goalie was brilliant closing the door on the five-on-three Baie-Comeau power play, the European connection began to work their magic on the Quebec only power play in the opening period. Drakkar center Frederick Gamelin was whistled for holding at 10:23. Mikhail Grigorenko beat veteran Baie-Comeau goaltender Antonio Mastropietro to shelve on left side with a wrist shot following great pass from Quebec right winger Sorensen at 12:20.
After being unable to get a goal in the opening frame, Baie-Comeau had another great opportunity to play with a man up following another penalty taken by Quebec veteran defenseman Tam with 48 seconds remaining in the opening stanza.
Again Brassard was inflexible making several good saves in the first 1:12 of the second period.
Traded during last summer to Baie-Comeau, the former Remparts Tomas Filippi was the one who got his new team on the board with Drakkar’s first goal tying the game one goal-a-piece at 1:53 of middle frame.
Grigorenko came back with his second of the night 40 seconds later completing a great effort by Sorensen. Even if Quebec had been dominated in first period, the home team had the lead 2-1 after forty minutes scoring their first two goals on 12 shots. Brassard allowed only one goal on Baie-Comeau 18 shots.
Quebec netminder Francois Brassard made several key saves especially during Baie-Comeau five-on-three in first period Photo by Serge Poulin
The teams came back in the third period scoring twice each. Nick Sorensen who has had two assists in first forty minutes gave Quebec a two goals lead with his second goal in first two games since his return from a concussion. Sorensen goal came at 9:43.
Carl Gelinas who scored his two goals in the third period cut the Quebec lead to one goal with his first of the night on a power play at 13:29. Grigorenko came back less than four minutes later completing his first career hat trick in QMJHL at 17:03.
Gelinas for Baie-Comeau ended the night with Drakkar third goal his second of the game with 33 seconds remaining to the game.
For Baie-Comeau head coach Mario Pouliot, his team seemed to be affected by the hot temperature in the building and the ice, described by the coach as horrible.
“I think the temperature in the building was really hot tonight, we have had hard time to adjust to that. Honestly, we worked hard but badly. It’s a question of learning how to win these games under pressure. On the other hand we still continued to work we never let it go. We didn’t use our speed, we didn’t adapt to the game and we didn’t respect our game plan.”
“Keeping a team like Quebec to only 22 shots on goal in their building his something positive,” continued Pouliot.
For Quebec head coach Roy, he praised his player’s effort. If he had some reservations about the way his team played defensively in the Friday night game, he liked the way his players reacted in game against Baie-Comeau.
“We played a strong game tonight, we played very good, I’m very happy about the way we played defensively and offensively. They scores goals six-on-five and another on power play as far as the rest is concern I have to say that I’m very happy the way the game went on. What impress me the most is the way we are able to play with consistency every nights, this is the mark of a team with character.”
Quebec will complete their three games-in-three nights on Sunday when they visit the Shawinigan Cataractes.
Three other games were played in the QMJHL on Saturday
Halifax 6 vs. PEI 4
Rimouski 2 vs. Saint John 8
Shawinigan 4 vs Blainville-Boisbriand 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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