QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Playing their 14th game in the last 29 days Quebec ended the Maritimes portion of their longest road trip of the year with 4-2 win against the Saint John Sea Dogs. Before leaving for the Russian National Junior training camp next Monday, Mikhail Grigorenko took charge of the Quebec offense with 2 goals.
Saint John got on board 40 seconds into the first period scoring on their second shot on goal. Unable to control the rebound after the first shot taken by Kevin Gagne, Jonathan Huberdeau put the puck behind Quebec goaltender Francois Brassard.
Ranked first overall with a man-advantage (38-in-120) for 31.7 percent Quebec tied the game, taking advantage of their first power play in the game. A great pass by Remparts defenseman Martin Lefebvre led to a Logan Shaw one-timer leaving no chance, to Saint John goalie Sebastien Auger, being beaten high on his right side at 3:12.
Quebec scored the only goal in second period taking a 2-1 lead. A loose puck by Saint John defenseman Olivier Leblanc leads to Quebec goal ahead goal scored by Adam Erne. The Quebec right winger (last goal on November 21) pick up the loose puck going on short breakaway beating Saint John netminder Auger under his left pad for his 17th goal of the year with 11:26 to go in middle frame.
Quebec took a two-goal lead (3-1) with Grigorenko’s 28th of the regular season when his wrist shot beat Auger on his right side with only 1:21 gone in third period. Grigorenko’s goal was his 71st in 100 games in a Quebec sweater.
Saint John reduced the Quebec lead to one goal with the 2nd of the season by Jason Cameron. Pressuring Quebec defensemen Adrian Kelly made a pass to Saint John center sliding the puck between Quebec netminder Brassard’s pads 1:03 later.
Grigorenko came back scoring his second of the period his 29th in 30 games with 18.2 seconds remaining to the game in and empty net ending with a record of 9 wins 5 loses in last 14 games.
Quebec will play their next two games on the road, first on Thursday in Drummondville facing the Voltigeurs. The Remparts will play the Cataractes in Shawinigan next Friday. Patrick Roy’s team will return home next Sunday December 16 hosting the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
Around the QMJHL: In the world of rumor swirling around the league Jonathan Huberdeau (Florida first round pick 13th overall) in 2011 might be playing his last game with the Sea Dogs over the weekend. Rumor said that three teams would be interest to make the acquisition of the best Saint John scoring leader (44 points in 29 games, 16 goals). Those three teams are Halifax, Blainville-Boisbriand and Baie-Comeau.
Quebec will lose two of their best players going to their respective National training camp leading to the under-20 World Junior Championship in Ufa Russia in December. Grigorenko will leave for Russian National training camp on Monday. Nick Sorensen will also leave next Monday for Sweden Junior National training camp.
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday
Cape Breton 0 vs. Baie-Comeau 4
Shawinigan 3 vs. Sherbrooke 2 (shootout)
Prince Edward Island 1 vs. Victoriaville 4
Halifax 6 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 7 (overtime)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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