QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Having lost three of their last four games, the Remparts ended the 2011-12 regular season with a 2-1 win over their arch-rivals, Chicoutimi. Scoring his 40th of the season Mikhail Grigorenko broke the tie leading his team to victory.
Mikhail Grigorenko photo by Serge Poulin
Unable to put a puck behind the opposition goaltenders in their last 159 minutes, Quebec finally tied the game with Patrick Walsh 5th of the year only 8:21 after Steve Lebel gave Chicoutimi lead at 7:04.
Labeled as number one goalie most of the season, Louis Domingue was between the pipes after Francois Brassard tended the net lately. Domingue ended the game making 23 saves out of Chicoutimi 24 shots in the game, being beaten only once on 6 shots in the opening periods.
Remparts head coach Patrick Roy was a happy man praising his player’s effort after seeing his team losing three of last four games latest two by shutout.
Logan Shaw photo by Serge Poulin
“I adored the match, What I like the most was the intensity we demonstrate intensity from the first to last minutes. In first period our power play wasn’t like what I would but in second we have had lots of chances, Logan Shaw got three four good shots, “Grigo” (Grigorenko) got another one. We have been more dangerous, that is what I like to see.”
Before the game, fans seemed unsure of what kind of game their favorite would offer considering their team’s loses their last two games by shutout. If fans have had to wait 39 minutes before seeing a goal been scored even if it came from the opponent team on Friday night, this time on Saturday, Chicoutimi opened the scoring with only 7:04 gone in the opening period. The shot from Sagueneens center went through Quebec netminder’s pads.
Quebec replied 8:21 later beating Francis Desrosiers on third rebound when Walsh put the puck behind the goal line.
Chicoutimi%27s Francis Desrosiers photo by Serge Poulin
For his part, Marc-Etienne Hubert the Chicoutimi didn’t miss his chance to say you can’t forgot a talent guy like Grigorenko alone without paying a price.
“It certainly was a good game until the end,” recognized the Sagueneens coach Hubert after the game. “But you can’t let the most talented guy in Quebec lineup Grigorenko alone in slot because he hurt us, he make the difference.”
Hebert also pointed the five penalties his team got in first two periods compared to none on Quebec side.
“Hard to get tempo in the game when your team got five penalties against none on the other side,” Hebert noted.
“We have been penalized for slashing, hooking and it didn’t have any on the other side.” The head coach has great comment for his netminder Francis Desrosiers who had been out of the lineup lately. “Francis did very well, he work hard, and he is a gamer. He like the challenge, we proposed a challenge to him for tonight and he jumped on it congratulation to Desrosiers,” Hubert said.
Face off in Quebec zone photo by Serge Poulin
After scoreless second period, Grigorenko deadlocked the game after getting great pass from Shaw who previously won his battle along the board. Shaw made perfect pass to Grigorenko who just let a wrist shot go leaving no chance to Chicoutimi netminder at 8:23 of third period.
“After scoring our second goal we were faster, we move the puck better, for our confidence it was a very important goal,” Roy said after the game.
As of this writing the possible first opponent in first round of playoff isn’t official. Possibilities are Baie-Comeau, Drummondville or Moncton. Sunday games will determine the final board.
First game of playoff will be this Thursday March 22nd.
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday
Val-d’Or 7 vs. Baie-Comeau 4
Saint John 7 vs. Cape Breton 4
Shawinigan 2 vs. Drummondville 1
Gatineau 3 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 6
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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