QUEBEC CITY P.Q. — Gabriel Bourque with three goals, Daniel Petersen with three assists and defenseman David Savard with two assists led Moncton to their first wins of this series 5-1 over Saint John. Moncton goaltender Nichola Riopel offered another solid performance with 25 saves on 26 shots.
The game was only two minutes old and teams had already scored their first goal in this series.
Fans didn’t wait long to see first goal scored in the QMJHL Final. unfortunately for Saint John fans, Moncton scored first on the opening shift 0:14 seconds in. Wildcats defenseman Brandon Gormley’s shot from the blue line found its way through Saint John goaltender Marco Cousineau.
Sea Dogs fans didn’t have to wait too long before enjoying their favorite first goal in the series tying the game 1-1. Danick Gauthier beat Nichola Riopel 1:04 seconds later completing a great effort from Yann Sauve and Stephen MacAulay.
With less than five minutes remaining in the opening period Moncton regained a one goal lead on a 3-on-2 breakaway goal by Gabriel Bourque, his first of three in the game.
The Wildcats netminder Riopel preserved his team’s one goal lead late in first period making a key save before the period ended on Saint John center Michael Kirkpatrick. The Wildcats led 2-1 after one and 14-11 in the shots on goal department.
After scoring their first two goals at even strength in the first period, the Wildcats added two others with a man advantage in second.
Saint John had just successfully killed a 5-on-3 penalty seeing Mike Thomas getting out of penalty box, but Moncton scored their third goals in the game on Kirkpatrick penalty. Gabriel Bourque dug the puck out and roofed it in the net for his second of the game and third Moncton goal at 15:17.
Referee Dominick Bedard sent Saint John left winger Stanislav Galiev to the penalty box for a double minor giving the visitors a four minute power play. With only 10 seconds remaining in the first two minutes, Ted Stephens beat Cousineau for the Wildcat’s fourth goals at 18:19.
Moncton left the ice leading by three after forty minutes and still dominated the shots on goal 27-19 scoring their two goals in the second period on 13 shots. Riopel shut the door on Saint John, stopping eight shots on goal.
Bourque completed his hat trick in third period scoring Moncton’s fifth goal into an empty net at 17:25.
Next game in this series will also be in Saint John on Sunday May 2 in the afternoon.
Goaltenders:
Moncton : Nichola Riopel 26 shots 25 saves
Saint John : Marco Cousineau 38 shots 33 saves
Power plays:
Moncton : 2-4
Saint John : 0-3
Three stars selections:
First: MON Gabriel Bourque
Second: MON Devon MacAusland
Third: SNB Danick Gauthier
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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