QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — For the second time in as many series, Quebec will have to be involved in game seven in Quebec. In quarter-final series, Quebec, successfully built a 3-1 lead but saw their opponent (Shawinigan Cataractes) win games five and six preventing elimination twice. Christian Ouellet led Gatineau offense with two goals, Nicolas Deslauriers (1g-2a), Philip-Michael Devos (1g-1a) and Jean-Gabriel Pageau (0g-2a) played key roles in Gatineau 4-0 wins over Quebec.
Quebec has had two chances to close the series against Gatineau but was unable to do it. Gatineau didn’t play what can be considered an exciting system but it was an efficient one, that’s all that counted for Olympiques head coach Benoit Groulx.
If fans had some doubt about Gatineau goaltender Maxime Clermont before the series began, the veteran netminder did an excellent job in last two games, notably in game six stopping all 21 Quebec shots.
After seeing Tommy Tremblay of the Olympiques and Mikael Tam of the Remparts being sent to the box for roughing in the first period, Referee Mark Muylaert sent Quebec defenseman Vincent Barnard to join his teammates Tam in the box for high sticking giving a four-on-three power play advantage.
With four goals in 19 opportunities in this series, Gatineau didn’t miss their chance to draw first blood in game six. Philip-Michael Devos’s blast shot from the slot beat Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue high on his left side for Olympiques first goal in the game at 6:25.
Gatineau added to their lead with 2:30 remaining in first period.
A wrist shot by Olympiques captain Hubert Labrie, deflected on Christian Ouellet beating Quebec goaltender for Gatineau second goals.
Olympiques veteran goaltender Clermont has been solid in the opening period, making saves against Frederick Roy, Alexandre Grenier and Olivier Hinse. Domingue, for his part, stole Jean-Gabriel Pageau with less than 2:00 gone in first period, before conceding first goal, to the home team.
Gatineau opened the second period taking a 3-0 lead on Nicolas Deslauriers one-Timer from the point, beating Domingue between his pads 2:31 into period.
After seeing his veteran goaltender being beaten three times on 12 shots, in 21:31 seconds of play, Quebec head coach, Patrick Roy, decided to make a change sending Jimmy Appleby in relief.
A penalty to Quebec left winger Frederick Roy, gave a second power play opportunity to Gatineau. Ouellet welcomed Appleby in the game, with his second goal, Gatineau fourth one in 24:27 seconds from the first puck dropped. After making first save on Deslauriers shot, Appleby, saw Olympiques right winger, picking the rebound to beat Quebec goaltender at 4:27.
Besides being in control on main scoreboard 4-0 after forty minutes, Gatineau scored two of their four goals with a man advantage and also led in shots on goal department 23-12.
Leading by four with only one period to play, Gatineau applied their system to the T, didn’t takes any chances simply trying to protect their leads.
An old axiom said offense wins regular season championship, defense wins playoffs, so fans who will come to see game seven in Quebec on Tuesday night, will have the chance, to find out, which teams between Gatineau or Quebec will earns the right to face Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL final.
Will it be Gatineau Olympiques with their defensive philosophy or Quebec with his offensive minded team?
The question will be answered next Tuesday around 10:00 O’clock Eastern.
Game seven is schedule for Tuesday May 3 in Quebec.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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