QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Leading by three 2:37 into the second period, the Quebec Remparts saw their opponent battle back and only the goal by Mikhail Grigorenko in an empty net with 40.4 seconds remaining in the third period iced the Quebec victory by the score of 4-2.
With a record of 3-7 in their last 10 games and back home to play the Remparts Wednesday, Baie-Comeau head coach Mario Pouliot agreed that it was time to turn things around.
In the morning newspaper, Mr. Pouliot said, “Back home it’s time to turn things around and to do so we will have to stop watching them play. I think our players show them too much respect.”
When you play with fire you run the risk of burning yourself. That’s exactly what happened to Baie-Comeau when the first two penalties taken by Drakkar defenseman Samuel Carrier (interference 8:22) and Charles Poulin (high sticking 12:10).
Recalled from the St-Jerome Panther of the junior AAA following some injuries to Quebec players, Joe Dube scored his first of the season, deflecting a shot from the blue line coming from the stick of Vincent Barnard with 8:50 gone into the opening period.
Stationed to Baie-Comeau goaltender Jimmy Appleby left side Anthony Duclair scored Quebec’s second goal in the first period by deflecting another shot from blue line by Ryan Culkin with more than 6:00 remaining to the period.
Frederick Gamelin, former Quebec Remparts Tomas Filippi, Samuel Carrier and Sacha Guimond had the best scoring opportunities for Baie-Comeau during a penalty to Quebec right winger Gregorenko in the first period. The Remparts second pick in the CHL European entry draft is ranked best prospect in the next NHL entry draft by the most recent ranking by International Scouting Services.
After the end of a penalty to Quebec defenseman Owen Werthner taken at the end of first period, Quebec left winger Duclair came from behind Baie-Comeau’s net surprising Appleby with the speed of his move before scoring 2:37 into second period.
Already shut-out on their first three power play attempt, Drakkar broke the ice on their fourth power play opportunity. Lukas Cingel took a rebound from Filippi’s shot pushing the puck behind veteran Quebec netminder Domingue with 6:52 to go in the middle frame.
Trailing by two at the beginning of the third Pouliot’s club put pressure on Quebec, trying to reduce their deficit and get the equalizer to force the eventually force overtime.
Seeing the first shot by Drakkar defenseman Guimond hit the post to Domingue’s right side, Felix Girard pushed the puck behind Quebec veteran netminder first Baie-Comeau second goal of the game at 8:55.
Increasing their pressure, Baie-Comeau fans saw Quebec veteran goaltender reserved his best saves of the game with less than 5:00 remaining in the game. Domingue frustrated Drakkar left winger Cingel and Gamelin with 3:05 to go in third period.
Calling a time out Pouliot pulled his starting netminder with 1:30 remaining to get the tying goal but Grigorenko fired into an empty net to assure the Quebec victory.
Quebec next game will be this Friday November 18 in Rimouski against the Oceanic.
Four other games were on schedule in the QMJHL on Wednesday night
PEI 3 vs. Cape Breton 4
Rouyn-Noranda 3 vs. Saint John 4
Rimouski 4 vs. Acadie-Barhurst 1
Blainville-Boisbriand 3 vs. Val-d’Or 2 (shootout)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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