QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Leaving Saint John Friday losing their first game of a three games in three nights, Quebec got the last word in a defensive battle against Moncton, defeating the Wildcats 2-0.
After seeing Louis Domingue for Quebec and Roman Will for Moncton close the door in first forty minutes, Frederick Roy was the first to put a puck behind Wildcats goalie at 6:49 of the third period.
Taking control of the puck in the neutral zone Quebec rookie Anthony Duclair gained the offensive zone making nice pass to blue line to Philippe Archambault. Shooting the puck from the blue line the Quebec defenseman saw Roy deflected the puck before going behind Wildcats goalie.
Playing without three of their best players in Saulmier’s brothers (Alain and Alex) and Devon MacAusland, the Wildcats lose Patrick Delisle-Houde being tossed out of the game following a hit on Quebec forward Adam Erne.
Playing a tight defensive game and trying to keep the score as low as possible, Will made several key saves preventing Quebec to break the ice in first two periods. The Czech Republic native closed the door twice on Duclair and Mikhail Grigorenko, and one time against Alexandre Contois, Logan Shaw, Archambault and Mathieu Lavallee.
Domingue who started for the 33rd time this season did the same stopping shots from Erik Robichaud (3), James Melindy (2) Marek Hrivik (2) and Scott Trask (1).
Trailing by one, Moncton had one last chance to tie the game with 7:00 remaining in the game when Quebec defenseman Marc-Antoine Carrier took the direction of penalty box being caught for roughing. Back between the pipes since last February 3rd against Rimouski in a 9-3 loss, Domingue kept the door closed to keep his shutout alive.
Finally with 19.9 seconds left on the clock Roy scored Quebec second goal in an empty net sealing Quebec victory over Moncton.
Quebec will end the weekend playing in Prince Edward Island facing the Rocket on Sunday afternoon.
Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday
Shawinigan 3 vs. Chicoutimi 2
Rimouski 1 vs. Cape Breton 2 (overtime)
Victoriaville 3 vs. Prince Edward Island 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
