QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Led offensively by Kirill Kabanov (1g-2a) and Etienne Brodeur with two goals the Lewiston MAINEiacs were able to withstand the pressure of Quebec playing desperate hockey and win their first game in their three games in three nights set.
Like the night before the Quebec Remparts saw their opponent take a two-goal lead inside 4:24 in the opening period.
Etienne Brodeur scored his first of the night on Lewiston’s fourth shot 4:34. Former Quebec defenseman Samuel Carrier beat Remparts goaltender Jimmy Appleby with a shot inside the blue line at 8:58.
Lewiston head coach Jean-Francois Houle was the first to recognize the effort of his team in the first game of a three games in three nights.
“It’s important for us to begin our three games in three nights with a great performance like tonight. We played very well in first and second period, in third Quebec played real well with lots of energy. Our goaltender made lots of big saves to keep us in the game. I hope our young guys will get a lesson tonight, we need to compete for three periods not just two,” Houle said.
Houle also had good words for his left winger who ended the night with two goals, “Etienne (Brodeur) scored big goals for us since the beginning of the year. Like you saw tonight he is a tough player to cover, it’s tough to play against, and he is really fast and intelligent. We are happy to have him on our side.”
Quebec head coach Patrick Roy, unsatisfied by what he saw from his starting goalie, decided to pull Appleby who gave up two goals on the first six shots sending veteran Louis Domingue.
If Quebec coach tried to excuse Domingue the night before saying that his goaltender didn’t feel well the night before the game, it wasn’t the case after Friday night game.
“Our goaltenders didn’t play up to expectations in our last seven games, so we have to deal with it,” Ray said after the game. “It wasn’t the performances; it’s giving the bad goal in worst moments. Goaltending position isn’t an easy one, when you begin to give up one bad goal by game, you begin to have doubt in your mind. It breaks the rhythm. You just don’t want to see the bag goal.”
Quebec was unable to put a puck behind MAINEiacs goaltender Nicholas Champion ending first period 0-5 with a man advantage.
Quebec’s first goal came in second period with a man advantage when Frederick Roy hit Champion’s glove before seeing the puck go in 1:12 into middle frame.
Lewiston replied 3:10 later regaining their two-goal lead. Unable to control the rebound Kirill Kabanov beat Domingue with a backhanded shot.
Brodeur scored his second of the game beating Domingue over his right shoulder from an impossible angle.
Lewiston returned to their locker room leading by three 4-1 after forty minutes.
Quebec stepped on the ice to begin the third period with their backs against the wall playing desperate hockey for second consecutive game. If the night before they scored two goals in 43 seconds against Gatineau, this time they repeated their exploits scoring next two in 32 seconds. Ryan Bourque 6:32 and Mirko Hoefflin 6:55 cut the Lewiston lead to one with over 13:00 minutes remaining.
But MAINEiacs’ Champion closed the door making four big saves at the end of the third to preserve his team’s victory.
The three stars of the game were 1-Lewiston left winger Kirill Kabanov (1g-2a) 2- Quebec Ryan Bourque (1g-2a) and third star Etienne Brodeur (2g-0a).
Quebec will be back in action on Sunday hosting the Lewiston MAINEiacs for the second time over the weekend. The MAINEiacs left le Colisee of Quebec heading for Shawinigan playing against the Cataractes on Saturday night.
QMJHL HOTE : The QMJHL is in mourning following the death of former Hull Olympiques head coach Pat Burn who lost his battle against cancer, he was 58.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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