QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing the 12th game in a 14-game schedule in 29 days Quebec had a chance to register a second win against the Prince Edward Island and win the season series. Instead, the beneficiary of a deflection off a Quebec defenseman Stephen Midensky, the shot by Tomas Pavelka from center ice went in, producing the game winning goal in a 4-2 win over Quebec, the fourth goal was scored in an empty net.
Having split the first two meetings with identical 5-3 scores, the Rocket closed their season series defeating Quebec for second time in the last two confrontations.
After killing a penalty to teammate Anthony Gingras, Quebec opened the scoring at even strength with Pierre-Maxime Poudrier’s 5th of the regular season.
A great backhanded pass by line mate Adam Erne following a great pass by Nick Sorensen put the Quebec center in an excellent position to complete the play with 10:48 gone in first period. Quebec scored first goal in the game for 24th times in 29 games.
Prince Edward Island tied the game with 2:22 remaining in the period. Pressured in their defensive zone Quebec defensemen lost the puck to Rocket left winger Jack Nevins. Nevins found teammate Matthew Bersey who beat Quebec goalie Francois Brassard under his right arm.
Prince Edward Island took the lead for the first time in the game thanks to their third power play opportunities. Josh Currie gave 2-1 lead to the Rocket with only 59 seconds gone in middle frame.
Looking more offensive Quebec head coach decided to reunite the line of Anthony Duclair, Mikhail Grigorenko and Logan Shaw. The reunion paid off with Quebec 2nd goal only 1:30 after Rocket took their first lead. Grigorenko’s shot beat Rocket goaltender Maxime Lagace over his right shoulder.
Tomas Pavelka got the lead back for Prince Edward Island with a shot from the center that deflected on Quebec defenseman Stephen Midensky before beating Brasard to his left side at 7:42.
Trying to put pressure in offensive zone to tie the game at three, Quebec center Patrick Walsh was found guilty for high sticking at 15:17 forcing his team to try to kill that penalty. Successfully killing the penalty Patrick Roy decided to play all-in-all pulling his starting netminder for a sixth forward.
Unfortunately, Prince Edward Island sealed the fate of their opponent with an empty net goal scored by Ben Duffy with 40 seconds remaining. Quebec loses for second times in three games against the Rocket.
Quebec will continue their road trip visiting the Acadie-Bathurst facing the Titan on Friday, ending their weekend on Saturday facing Saint John Sea Dogs.
Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday
Drummondville 3 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 2
Moncton 4 vs. Val-d’Or 1
Baie-Comeau 5 vs. Gatineau 3
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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