QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — The Remparts blanked the Wildcats for a second time
Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue photo by Serge Poulin
Like two boxers who study themselves before throwing first punches, both teams seemed to wait didn’t want to make the first mistake that can lead to first goal.
Quebec was the first team to open the fire with two goals in 50 seconds on their first 5 shots on Moncton netminder Roman Will leading 2-0 after first period. Redirecting a shot from Martin Lefebvre Gabriel Desjardins was the first to put the puck behind Screaming Eagles goalie at 7:05. Anthony Duclair followed 50 seconds later with his 27th of the campaign getting a point in his 9th consecutive games.
Quebec first goal scored by Gabriel Desjardins photo by Serge Poulin
“Sure it can be good for him,” Quebec coach Patrick Roy said of his goaltender’s performance.
“But I must tell you that it was good for the team. It was a game in my opinion that we dominated from start to finish, if his netminder wasn’t brilliant in first two periods it should have been more than 3- 0. In third, I found we gave up too many breakaway, I would prefer to see us be more conservative but it often the thing that happens when your team led by four or five goals. We took too many risks but it wasn’t necessary.”
Being shutout on their first four power plays opportunity, Quebec adds a third goal to their lead just after Moncton successfully killed their fourth shorthanded situations. Back in the lineup after missing couple games Adam Erne was the last to touch the puck before crossing the goal line 5:41 into second periods.
Quebec second goal scored by Anthony Duclair photo by Serge Poulin
Trailing by three, things began to be ugly in second half of second period. Questionable hits by visitors led Quebec to show great team spirit. Every time a Quebec players were victim of questionable hit every other players on the ice came to help his teammates.
“It never was a problem, it is what make me proud of our players,” answered Roy about his team spirit after several gathering along the board. No players were left alone. That’s what hockey is all about. When a team shows great team spirit it also shows character and loyalty between their teammates, that’s important.”
Giving up 3 goals on 30 shots in forty minutes Moncton head coach Danny Flynn decided to pull Will sending Brandon Thibault to begin the third period.
“We played tomorrow, we need thirteen guys to go tomorrow, I need to give some rest,” was Wildcats head coach Flynn’s explanation to pull his starting goalie after first two periods.”
Moncton goaltender Roman Will photo by Serge Poulin
“We are a young team, are goals against are pretty solid. Offensively we have been challenged to score goal, we have stayed at 500 with lots of hard work. We have good goaltending and we are good defensive team. We knew coming into the season scoring would be a concern because of youth of our team and it’s something we work on.”
Quebec came back in third welcoming Thibault with two more goals with first one against new goalie 1:54 into the third by Jeremie Malouin. Mathieu Lavallee complete Quebec offensive for the night with Quebec fifth goal at 13:52.
Quebec next home game will be this Sunday hosting the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday
Prince Edward Island 1 vs. Saint John 8
Val-d’Or 3 vs. Victoriaville 2 (shootout)
Shawinigan 4 vs. Chicoutimi 5
Blainville-Boisbriand 6 vs. Baie-Comeau 2
Drummondville 3 vs. Gatineau 4 (shootout)
Cape Breton 1 vs. Rimouski 4
Halifax 2 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
