QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Back on Thursday when the team left for Lewiston for two games in 48 hour beginning Friday, the goal for Quebec head coach was to win both games. Coming back home with one win kept the same distance between them and Lewiston. By winning Saturday night Quebec was almost assured of winning the Tellus East Division championship distancing the MAINEiacs by 11 points.
Power play efficiency was often the subject of discussion in post game press conferences lately as it was not working out to expectations. But against Lewiston on Saturday night the power play played big role in Remparts victory producing three goals on six occasions.
Quebec began the game putting pressure on their opponent spending nearly the first two minutes in the Lewiston zone, thanks to Andrey Makarov the MAINEiacs were able to go through this without too much damage but Quebec took the tempo.
A penalty to Lewiston right winger Stephan Fournier for slashing opened the door for Quebec to break the ice.
Defenseman Mikael Tam got Quebec on the board at 7:04 of the opening period. Joel Champagne and John Audy-Marchessault picked up the helpers.
Less than four minutes later Quebec defenseman Vincent Barnard doubled the Quebec lead with another power play goal in as many chances. Lewiston left winger Etienne Brodeur has been cut for second time in as many games taking a bad penalty this time for goalie interference.
Barnard’s goal came at 11:01.
Another goalie interference penalty came back to haunt the MAINEiacs, giving head coach Patrick Roy another chance to send his power play unit on the ice. Veteran center Joel Champagne put the shrubbery on the sundae completing a great effort from defensemen Martin Lefebve and Barnard at 8:10 of the second period. It was Remparts third power plays goal in four attempts.
Lewiston had to wait until the third period before putting a puck behind Quebec netminder Louis Domingue. While Quebec scored their first three goals with a man advantage, the MAINEiacs broke the ice being a man short.
Cameron Crtichlow scored his twelfth of the year 3:11 into third period. Pierre-Olivier Morin completed Lewiston offensive for the night with his 14th of the regular season with exactly three minutes remaining to the game.
Quebec came back closing the book for the night with an empty net goal; Quebec Captain Tam scored his second of the night with both teams being at even strength.
Quebec will return home playing next Tuesday February 15 hosting the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Other games in the QMJHL
Val-d’Or 0 vs. Gatineau 3
Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Rimouski 4
Halifax 3 vs. Victoriaville 5
Acadie-Bathurst 2 vs. Cape Breton 5
Chicoutimi 4 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 3.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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