Quebec first goal of the game scored by Quebec defenseman Martin Lefebvre Photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec began the game trying to use their speed to test veteran Gatineau goaltender Maxime Clermont who answered the challenge by making several key saves to keep his team in the game.
Despite being beaten by a shot from the blueline taken by Quebec defenseman Martin Lefebvre at 3:13 of the first period, the Olympiques netminder, ended the first period making six saves on seven Quebec shots. The wrist shot taken by Lefebvre from forty feet in the zone, went through several players’ legs, before finding its way between Clermont pads for Quebec first goal.
“Since we put Maxime (Clermont) in the net against Rimouski in the first series, he did an excellent job for us,” said Groulx when asked to comment on his goaltender’s performance. “He answered the bell again, tonight.”
Known to play a tight defensive game Groulx didn’t hesitate to praise all their players, for their performance in this first game of this semi-final series.
“Coming in here and win the first game is very encouraging for us, we have had a great performance from our team tonight. When I said great performance, I meant the players, all of them (20) contributed to our success tonight,” Groulx said.
Another great indication of the kind of performance the visitor gave in first game was, Gatineau was able to shutout the best power play in the league with Quebec ending their night 0-4.
“Our players who are in charge of killing penalty did great job, our goaltender also did great job. But one thing is for sure, we won’t stop them every night.” Groulx said about the players who played on Gatineau penalty killing units.
Gatineau center Jean-Gabriel Pageau with puck along the board in Quebec zone Photo by Serge Poulin
People who used to see Gatineau play, were the first to recognize their work ethic and they gave a good example of that, by being first on the puck all night. They battle ferociously in corner, to get out of it in control of the puck, being patient to make a pass to teammates, instead of giving the puck to their opponent.
Questioned by a reporter about the fact Gatineau seemed to be first on the puck most of the time in the game, Groulx didn’t agree with that assessment.
“Both teams want the puck tonight, we battle very hard, Quebec battle hard too, the game could have gone on either side, we were happy to find, the opening that led to our second goal.”
Quebec came back in the second period getting several good scoring chances (Olivier Hinse totaling five shots on goals two great scoring opportunity) but saw Clermont make the saves preventing Quebec to add to their lead.
Gatineau got on board with their first goal in the game when their team was the beneficiary of a man advantage. During the penalty to Quebec center Hinse, Gatineau defenseman Adam Janosik let a one-timer go from the blueline that gave no chance to Louis Domingue who saw the puck going in on his glove side at 6:12 of second period.
Answering a question about the referees’ works Grouxl didn’t want to get into it by simply saying, “I won’t make any comments on referee’s works because we don’t have the right to, but as I said this morning, it hope it won’t be the coaches who will decide the game, I wish it won’t be the penalties that makes the difference. I really hope the series will be decided playing five against five. It wasn’t our job to judge referees job, overall I think they did good job.”
Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue stopping play with Gatineau Defenseman Adam Janosik waiting for a rebound Photo by Serge Poulin
Referee Jean-Philipe Sylvain allowed a penalty shot to Quebec following a breakaway by Quebec forward Ryan Bourque. With 15:57 gone in third Bourque went on a penalty shots but Clermont resists and make the save preserving his one goal lead for his team.
Patrick Roy gave credit to Gatineau’s team in his post game press conference after first game in that series, saying, “ They played very good game, they played very thigh game, offensively. It was tough to get our scoring chance, that’s the type of game they played from the start. Offensively, I certainly would like to have more implications from certain players. To compete with them, we will have to compete more than we did tonight, because, it will be tough to have scoring chances. We will have to wins our battles, finding a way to drive the net.”
Both teams will play game two tonight.
Other semi-final series in the QMJHL
Lewiston 4 vs. Saint John 5 (first overtime) Saint John takes 1-0 lead)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.