QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Trailing 0- 2 in their semifinal series Halifax knew they had to play their best hockey to break the ice to win their first game. The goal scored by Martin Frk with his team on a two-man advantage made the difference leading Halifax to 4-3 win over Rimouski.
Fans coming to Colisee of Rimouski had the chance to see an offensive opening period even if their favorites returned to their locker room trailing 3-2 after the first period. All goals were scored at even strength.
Entering the second period leading by one, Dominic Ducharme team saw their opponent tie the game 3-3 with almost half second period gone. But before the second period ended Halifax regained the lead for good playing on five-on-three.
Dominating 12-3 in third period Serge Beausoleil’s team did almost everything they can to try to come back but Mooseheads goaltender Zachary Fucale closed the door stopping on breakaway Alex Belzile, Peter Straka on a shot point blank, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc and Jean-Philippe Mathieu.
Fucale ended the game making 24 saves on 27 Oceanic shots on goal. Pulled by Oceanic head coach after allowing 3 goals on 9 shots. In relief, Carl Hozjan made 11 saves on Mooseheads 12 shots in 48:21 of play.
Halifax drew first blood in game three. Unable to keep the rebound on Nathan MacKinnon first shot, defenseman Brandon Duke took the rebound and his shot did not give any chance to Rimouski goaltender Jacob Gervais-Chouinard 2:44 into the opening period.
Rimouski tied the game 39 seconds later. Defenseman Ryan MacKinnon (no relation to Nathan) made perfect pass to Oceanic center Robbie DeFulvis who beat Halifax netminder Zachary Fucale with a backhanded shot on a breakaway.
Halifax regained the lead for second times in the game less than 3:00 later at 6:02 when Jonathan Drouin completed great play by Nathan MacKinnon. The Mooseheads doubled their lead on Brent Andrews second of the playoff with a shot from the slot.
Seeing his starting netminder Gervais-Chouinard being beaten three times in first Halifax 9 shots Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil pulled his starting goalie sending Carl Hozjan. Peter Straka reduced Halifax lead to one goal with his 6th of the playoff. Straka’s wrist shot from left face off circle beat Fucale to his left side at 13:36.
Jerome Gauthier Leduc on perfect feed from Jean-Philippe Mathieu tied the game 3-3 with a shot that gave no chance to Mooseheads netminder. Rimouski third goal by the Buffalo Sabres prospect had been scored when both teams were four-four at 9:30 in middle frame.
An instigator penalty to Rimouski left winger Alexandre Lavoie for his fight against Mosseheads defenseman Trey Lewis plus another penalty to Rimouski center Francis Beauvillier for delay of game gave a five-on-three power play to Halifax.
Both series will continue with game four respectively in Rimouski against Halifax an in Chicoutimi where Saint John will be the visitor.
In the other semifinal series in QMJHL
Saint John 3 vs. Chicoutimi 4 (goal by Etienne Brodeur 7:26 first overtime) ( Saint John lead series 2-1 over Chicoutimi)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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