QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — The Quebec Remparts ended their longest losing streak (three loses) with an impressive victory against the Acadie Bathurst Titan. Jonathan Audy-Marchessault with two goals and Mikael Tam with four assists played key roles in the first of a three games in three nights series in the Maritimes.
Things didn’t look good for Patrick Roy’s team when the Remparts were penalized two consecutive times for too many men on the ice (two penalties in 0:47 seconds) leading to the first two goals scored by Bathurst.
First, Mirko Hoefflin was sent to penalty box to serve the first penalty. Ryan Bourque followed his teammate 0:47 seconds later giving to Bathurst a five-on-three power play for 1:13.
Former Quebec player Sebastien Trudeau took a rebound from Gabriel Levesque and beat Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue for Bathurst’s first goal at 5:05 of the opening period. Zac O’Brien followed with the Titans’ second power play goal this one with a one-man advantage at 6:39.
The fans didn’t know it was the only moment of joy for them as Quebec scored next five goals.
Defenseman Vincent Barnard beat Bathurst veteran goaltender Olivier Roy with a one-timer from left faceoff circle following great pass from Mirko Hoefflin at 15:47. The first period ended with Quebec trailing by one but leading on the shots on goal 10-7.
Quebec returned to the ice playing possibly their best second period of the regular season scoring twice and taking a 3-2 lead after two.
Bathurst, defensively, didn’t play well giving up two two-on-one breakaway to Quebec. Ryan Bourque forced Bathurst netminder to make a key save when he stopped Bourque’s shot following a great pass from Marchessault. Later in the period Roy made another key save on another two-on-one by Quebec. This time Mathieu Lavallee and rookie Vincent Montreuil saw the Titan netminder made another big save to preserve his team one goal lead.
Marchessault brought both teams back to square one scoring for Quebec on the third Remparts power play opportunity. Joel Champagne saw his first shot on goal stopped by Roy but Marchessault took the rebound and pushed it behind Bathurst goalie for Quebec second power play goal in three chances at 12:22.
A penalty to Bathurst left winger Vincent Arseneau lead to another Quebec power play goal, the goal that gave Quebec their first lead in the game.
Posted behind Bathurst net, Quebec Captain Tam find veteran center Champagne who saw his shot going over Roy left shoulder for Quebec third power play goals in the game on five opportunities. Teams returned to their respective locker room with Quebec leading 3-2 on main scoreboard but also on shots on goal, 31-9.
Quebec added two goals in the third period, Olivier Hinse scored his fifth of the year 4:40 into the period followed later on Quebec’s fourth power play goal in the game, Marchessault second of the night at 10:24.
Quebec ended the night scoring four of their five goals on seven power play opportunities. Bathurst ended scoring their only two goals in the game on three power plays.
Bathurst head coach Real Paiement pulled his veteran netminder Roy after seeing his goalie giving 5 goals on 44 shots in 51:26 of play. Robert Steeves came in the game making all five saves on five shots in 8:34.
Quebec will play their next game tonight Saturday in Prince Edward Island against the Rocket.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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