Montreal wins 5-4 in shootout

QUEBEC CITY , P.Q. — Expectations were high before this first meeting between these two teams, expectations were met in an excellent game. Jeremy Gouchie made the difference with Montreal sixth shot beating Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue over his left pad.
 
With Quebec leading 4- 2 in third periods the Montreal Junior put more pressure in second portion of third period scoring two goals in 2:15 seconds tying the score four all.
 
The game began with Quebec breaking the ice 0:22 seconds into the opening period. Ryan Bourque beat Jean-Francois Berube top net giving 1-0 lead to the visitor. Montreal replied tying the score one-goal-a-piece when Trevor Parkes shot finds his way behind Quebec goaltender 1:58 into the opening period.
 
Unable to leave his own zone with the puck Quebec forward John Audy-Marchessault saw Louis Leblanc pick the lose puck and beat Domingue with a wrist shot 4:00 in the second period to give Montreal their first lead in the game 2-1.
 
Frederick Roy on a power play deflected a shot taken by Mirko Hoefflin from inside the blue line to tie the score 2-2 11:08 always in second period. Both teams returned to their respective locker room with the score tied at two and Quebec led by only one shot on goal 18-17.
 
Fans who went to the Verdun Auditorium were very well served as far as executions, scoring chances and speed forcing both goaltenders to illustrate themselves to keep the score the way it was after two periods of excellent hockey.
 
Quebec regained a one goal lead on defenseman Martin Lefebvre wrist shot beating Berube high on his left side 4:19 into third period. Veteran center Joel Champagne gave Quebec two goals lead for the first time in the game less than three minutes later (7:19).
 
Montreal netminder made first save on Mikael Tam shot just outside of right face off circle but unable to control the rebound, the puck deflected on Champagne’s left leg before going in for Quebec fourth goal but not before referee needed to go on to review the goal before allowing it.
 
If Quebec had the advantage in first portion of third period, Montreal put more pressure in Quebec defensive zone and scored next two goals inside 2:15 seconds. Consecutive penalties to Quebec center Joel Champagne (boarding 10:30) and veteran defenseman Alex Wall (delay of game 11:17) opened the door for Pascal Vincent’s team.
 
Trevor Parkes with his second of the game cut Quebec lead in half with his 7^th of the regular season 12:25 during a two-man advantage. Back at even strength Francis Meilleur brought both teams back to square one with his fourth of the year 16:40 of the third period.
 
But with less than one minute remaining in the game referee Pascal St-Jacques sent Montreal left winger Philippe Lefebvre in the penalty box (19:37) for hooking giving Quebec a power play opportunity to end the third period five-on-four and to begin the overtime with four-on-three power play. Fortunately for Montreal fans their favorite killed that penalty with success.
 
But couple minute later it was Quebec turn to see one of their player Champagne to go in the sin bin (3:13) for two minutes giving to Montreal team a full four-on-three two minutes power play in the overtime. Patrick Roy’s team also killed that penalty with success forcing both teams to go in shootout to determine a winner in that first of home and home series.
 
It took sixth shooters before one finally beat opponent goaltender giving his team the victory in shootout. Trevor Parkes, Louis Leblanc and Nicholas Chouinard saw Quebec netminder makes the saves before David Rose beat Domingue.
 
On Quebec side Axel Rioux, Tomas Filippi and Ryan Bourque saw Jean-Francois Berube makes the save before John Audy Marchessault beat Montreal netminder tying the shootout 1-1. But Jeremy Gouchie made the difference beating Quebec goaltender giving Montreal a 5-4 wins in this first of a home and home series.
 
Both teams will face each other tonight (Saturday) in Quebec. Fans in Quebec will certainly hope to see their favorite will take their revenge. Quebec ended their three games road trip with 1-1-0-1.        
 
 
 
 
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com