QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Keeping in mind their lopsided loss (9-3) a week ago against Rimouski in Quebec, the Remparts took the road to Rimouski with firm intention of taking their revenge. With the score 0-0 after two periods, it was a goal scored by Peter Straka, his 14th of the regular season that made the difference in Rimouski favor leading the Oceanic to their 34th victory of the year.
Two names would resume the action in Rimouski after first period on Friday night. Trading save after save goaltenders Francois Brassard for Quebec and Jacob Gervais-Chouinard for the Oceanic refused to be the one who would grant the first goal.
Dominating 8-1 after 10:17 and 10- 1 in shots on goal after 9:18 played in the opening period, Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil saw the Remparts netminder close the door making several key saves on first Oceanic 11 shots on goal after, twenty minutes.
On the other end, even if he wasn’t too busy in the first half of the first period, Rimouski goaltender Gervais-Chouinard made important saves during the only power play of the period to Quebec, following a penalty to Rimouski center Francis Beauvillier.
As weird as it may sound, six of Quebec seven shots against Oceanic goalie were considered dangerous not a single of the 11 shots from Oceanic players against Brassard were considered good scoring opportunities. Rimouski’s first great scoring opportunity came in the second period from the stick of defenseman Jerome Gauthier-Leduc. Brassard made save with his right pad.
Already 0-1 with a man advantage, Quebec got their second power play opportunity following a penalty to Rimouski center Peter Trainor with only 17 seconds gone into middle frame. Adam Erne and Gabriel Desjardin had great scoring chances but both times Gervais-Chouinard made the save.
After successfully killing two penalties, Rimouski was awarded the next two power play opportunities. Quebec defenseman Marc-Antoine Carrier went to the penalty box being whistled by referee Nicholas Dutil for interference at 4:14. Maxime Fortier formerly of the Rimouski Oceanic (being dealt at trading deadline to Quebec) also went to the box less than 4:00 later for tripping. Quebec also successfully killed both penalties.
Ten of 14 shots by Quebec on Oceanic netminder were considered dangerous after forty minutes comparatively to 3-18 by Rimouski on Brassard.
Rimouski was finally the first team to break the ice at even strength on their 21st shots. Making the first move (bending on his knees) Brassard saw the wrist shot by Oceanic left winger Jakub Culek beat him over his left shoulder 2:48 into third period.
Working deep into Quebec offensive zone, Rimouski center Jean-Francois Plante found teammates Jean-Philippe Mathieu who made perfect pass to Peter Straka left alone in the slot. Unable to keep Straka wrist shot in his glove Brassard found the puck behind him almost 5:00 after Rimouski first goal.
Already 0-3 with a man advantage, Quebec scored their first goal of the game during a penalty to Rimouski defenseman Ryan MacKinnon with 8:35 gone in the third, igniting back all hope of Quebec being able to tie the game before the end of the period. Mikael Tam’s shot inside the blue line cut Oceanic lead in half at 10:26.
Trailing by one with 1:40 left to the third period, Rimouski netminder Gervais-Chouinard made the key save of the game stopping Quebec forward Alexandre Contois on a breakaway from Oceanic blue line, following a mistake by Rimouski defenseman.
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night
Prince Edward Island 2 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 4
Drummondville 2 vs. Victoriaville 3
Halifax 4 vs. Chicoutimi 1
Moncton 3 vs. Val-d’Or 1
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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