QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — A big week awaits Patrick Roy’s team this week. Losing five games in Quebec (0-4-1-0), winning only twice in their last 10 games (2-5-2-1), Quebec left the comfort of their building playing four games in next six days, first two on the road, with the first stop in Chicoutimi. Dominated 46-22 in shots on goal, the Quebec Remparts found a way to win 2- 1 in a shootout on a goal by Russian winger Mikhail Grigorenko.
Playing without important players (Nick Sorensen, Vincent Barnard, Michael McNamee, Owen Werthner, Axel Rioux and Patrick Walsh) whether to injuries or sickness, Quebec saw defenseman Philippe Archambault leave the game due to an error in the lineup. Quebec had to face Chicoutimi with two goalies 11 forwards five defensemen before the first face off.
Instead of writing Archambault, Quebec head coach Patrick Roy inscribed Olivier. So Quebec had to play against Chicoutimi without the services of the defenseman, playing with five defensemen.
Criticized by his coach for his recent performances in the net, Quebec fans traveling in Chicoutimi to see the game, should thank veteran goalie Louis Domingue who stood in front of his goal stoning Chicoutimi and keeping them off the board in the first period.
Dominated 17- 6 in the first period Domingue made several key saves notably against Charles Hudon at even strength hitting the crossbar behind Quebec netminder in first 10:00 of the first period.
Ranked 16 out of 17 with 16.8 percent with a man advantage (34 goals in 202 opportunities), Chicoutimi missed another great opportunity with a man up when Quebec defenseman took a penalty with 12:10 remaining in the period. Christian Ouellet and Lukas Sedlak got best scoring chances but again Domingue close the door for Quebec.
Mikael Tam and Logan Shaw (hit the post), had the best scoring chances. The less occupied Christopher Gibson, the Chicoutimi goaltender stopped all six Quebec shots.
As often happens, when a team dominates the other, it’s the dominated team that opened the scoring. That was exactly what happened on Quebec eighth shot on goal, when Mikhail Grigorenko’s shot hit the post on Gibson right side before it went in at 5:18 of the second period.
Chicoutimi tied the game 3:25 later when the Quebec netminder seemed surprised by Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Coming from behind the net, the former Gatineau forward pushed the puck between the right post and Domingue’s pad for Sagueneens first goal in the game.
Playing more defensively than in first two periods Chicoutimi shoots only 7 times in third periods. Trying to shoot the puck in corner after seeing Quebec netminder making saves on Sagueneens forward with 59 seconds remaining in the period Quebec defenseman shoot the puck in the stand resulting in a delay of game penalty giving Chicoutimi a third power play opportunities being 0- 2 in first two.
Beginning the overtime four-on-three, Chicoutimi saw Quebec netminder holding the fort, forcing both teams to go on shootout earning a point each.
After seeing Quebec goaltender stop Guillaume Asselin, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Christian Ouellet. Gibson made the same on Quebec forwards Adam Erne and Logan Shaw but Grigorenko ended the suspense with the only goal in shootout giving a 2-1 victory to Quebec, their fourth between the two teams.
Quebec’s next game will be in Shawinigan facing the Cataractes this Friday.
Two other games were on schedule in QMJHL on Tuesday night
Baie-Comeau 4 vs. Cape Breton 3 (shootout)
Victoriaville 9 vs. Shawinigan 4
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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