QUEBEC CITY P.Q. – With a goal and two assists, Kelowna Rockets defenseman Tyler Myers played a key role in his teams 4-1 victory over the Rimouski Oceanic. The Buffalo Sabres prosect not only helped his team on the scoreboard, but with his physical play as well. Myers showed everyone in the building that he will certainly be a dominant force in the NHL one day. When looking for words that would describe what the fans in Rimouski in the opening game of this year’s Memorial Cup, the answer turned out to be total domination. Except for the last seven minutes of the opening period, the Oceanic wasn’t able to do anything worth mentioning. Rimouski goaltender Maxim Gougeon could not be considered the scapegoat in the loss. He was left facing the Western Hockey League champion with very little support from his teammates. Gougeon even showed some frustration in the third period after making a save he stared at one of his defenseman after hitting the puck with his stick. The Kelowna Rockets dominated in all aspects of the game: Puck control, shots on goal (42-20), scoring chances, and face-ofs. Bottom line, they were simply too strong on the night. Kelowna took advantage of the Oceanic’s long layoff, which was 22 days after being eliminated by the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the QMJHL playoffs. They had the first eight shots on goals before scoring the first goal of the game on Tyler Myers wrist shot from the slot area, beating Gougeon low blocker side at 6:33 of the opening period. The goal seemed to awaken the Rimouski forwards who began the game on their heels. Jordan Caron and Patrice Cormier had two good scoring chances but Kelowna goaltender Mark Guggenberger answered the challenge to preserve the 1-0 lead. Gougeon made another key save on Ian Duval to prevent Kelowna from extending their lead. The Kelowna forwards tried to put some shots past Gougeon right side, the same side Myers scored on for the first Kelowna goal. Rimouski played with confidence the last seven minutes of first period. The Oceanic missed an excellent opportunity to get on the scoreboard when Kelowna forwards Cody Almond and Collin Bowman went to the penalty box for a two-man advantage for Rimouski, but the Oceanic had only three shots on Guggenberger without any consequences. It became a key moment in the game. Guggenberger had to make some great saves on Keven Veilleux, Marc-Andre Bourdon, and on a redirected shot from defenseman Sebastien Piche, but the Rockets killed off both penalties to preserve their 1-0 lead. The Rockets came back in second period and added two more goals to their lead in the first six minutes of the period. Jamie Benn scored Kelowna’s second goal on the power play at 4:33 and Ian Duval scored the Rockets third goal 1:19 later with both teams playing at even strength. Myers would add assists on both goals. Kelowna continued their domination in the second period. After dominating 17-8 in shots on goal in the first period, they outshot Rimouski 15-4 in the second. Kelowna stepped on the ice in the third period and added their fourth goal of the game 1:29 into the period. Rockets left winger Lucas Bloodoff completed a great effort from Benn and Barrie for the 4-0 lead. The Oceanic’s Philippe Cornet prevented the shutout for Rimouski’s only goal of the game at 13:04. Shots on goal: Kelowna 42, Rimouski 20 Power plays: Kelowna 1-3, Rimouski 0-5 Three stars of the game: 1-Jamie Benn (Kel.) 2- Tyler Myers (Kel.) 3-Maxim Gougeon (Rim.) Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.