QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — After finding themselves losing their first three attempts, the Quebec Remparts had to play against one of two undefeated teams on Sunday afternoon, the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (the other was the Victoriaville Tigres). Having already faced the Blainville-Boisbriand once (losing 4-2) Quebec played on the road for the first time in 2011-12 and earned the first victory defeating the Armada 4-2 Sunday.
Quebec opened the scoring with only 1:44 gone in first period. Axel Rioux found rookie teammate Anthony Duclair for whom it was his first goal in his junior career. The Montreal Native beat Blainville-Boisbriand goaltender William Racicot with a wrist shot over his right shoulder.
The Armada replied 1:14 later with their first goal of the afternoon. After a long meeting between referees Mathieu Bergeron Dominick Bedard and the video judge (they thought Picard pushed the puck behind Quebec goaltender with one of his skates), the referees allowed the Blainville-Boisbriand tying goal to the defenseman. After seeing the Quebec goalie Francois Brassard make the first save on Olivier Picard, the Remparts netminder saw the Armada defenseman push his rebound into the net.
Reunited in the third period last Sunday afternoon against Chicoutimi, the line of Kurt Etchegary between Mikhail Grigorenko (ended the game with two assists) and Frederick Roy continued to play great hockey for Quebec, unifying their efforts on Quebec’s second goal.
Quebec regained the lead 2-1 at 15:25 of the first period with Etchegary’s second goal of the season. Quebec Captain and defenseman Mikael Tam saw the former Lac St-Louis Midget AAA player left alone in the slot, Etchegary redirected shot found its way behind Armada goaltender for Remparts second goal.
Quebec thought they have had taken a two-goal lead when a shot from center ice by defenseman Ryan Culkin beat Armada netminder but referee disallowed the Quebec goal saying the play was off side.
Quebec came back in the second period scoring twice, one in first portion of the middle frame, and the second one with only 12 seconds remaining in the period. The Remparts killed the only Armada power play in first two periods.
Beneficiary of their third power play opportunities in the game, Quebec jumped on the occasion taking two-goal lead in the game. Remparts defenseman Tam took his own rebound beating Armada goaltender with 15:20 to go in period.
Taking the tempo of the game in second half of second period, the Blainville-Boisbriand saw their opponents add a fourth goal. Already being the author of Quebec third goal, the Remparts defenseman Tam scored the Quebec fourth goal, his second in the game at 19:48. Tam wrist shot beat Racicot for his third point in first forty minutes of play.
Trailing by three after two periods, the Blainville-Boisbriand saw another great opportunity present itself with their second power play in the game. After seeing Quebec netminder make the save on a Jess Tanguy shot, Alexandre Lemieux took the rebound and put it behind Brassard reducing the Quebec lead to two goals at 6:16.
Following that goal the home team put pressure on Quebec but thanks to great work between the pipes by Brassard (making 16 saves on Armada 17 shots in third period) the visitor can come out of the Centre of excellence Sports Rousseau with their first victory of 2011-12 campaign.
If Quebec Captain Mikael Tam played key role in his team first wins in 2011-12 regular season with 3 points, 2 goals Brassard who found himself on losing end in first three games also brought a good contribution totaling 32 saves on Blainville-Boisbriand 34 shots.
Quebec’s next game will be on the road again when they will go to Victoriaville facing the Tigres next Friday, September 23th.
Only three other games in QMJHL on Sunday
PEI 3 vs. Saint John Sea Dogs 5
Acadie-Bathurst 3 vs. Cape Breton 5
Shawinigan 5 vs. Gatineau 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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