QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Quebec won the first game in that series with three goals in 1:35 to begin the third period, this time they forced overtime tying the score 3-3 with 20 seconds remaining in the third period in game two.
Quebec center (9) Jeremie Malouin photo by Serge Poulin
Jeremie Malouin played the hero scoring the game winning goal 6:02 into the overtime winning 4-3. Leaving Quebec for Halifax, for next three games, the Remparts led the series 2-0.
With Halifax in control of the game 3-2 with less than a minute left to the game Logan Shaw finally was the one who successfully pushed the puck behind Halifax goaltender Zachary Fucale with 20 seconds remaining on scoreboard.
And with just 6:02 gone overtime period Malouin sent everyone home smiling by scoring the game winning goal giving his team a 2-0 lead in their quarterfinal series.
As in the first game Quebec didn’t not play their best hockey in the opening period ending with only 3 shots against Halifax netminder who tended the goal for second game in that series.
Quebec center Mikhail Grigorenko photo by Serge Poulin
After the game the rookie goalie didn’t want to make any comments on the goal some had doubt about his validity.
“Can’t make any comments on that last goal,” were the first words coming out of young netminder mouth near the locker room. “You always want to play better we play to win games so for sure I’m not satisfied. We already think about next game can’t look back. It was a very tight game both teams got chances the game has been played on little things I think. It was a tight game and it turned on their side so we already think about the next one,” the Halifax goalie added.
He ended the match making 32 saves out of Quebec 36 shots.
Penalties proved to be costly for both teams in first forty minutes. Breaking the ice with the first goal in the series in first game, Halifax took a 1-0 lead scoring on their first power play opportunity ending their night two-in-four with a man advantages.
Matthew Boudreau opened the scoring on a screen shot giving no chance to Quebec veteran goalie Louis Domingue. Leaving the ice after first twenty minutes, the team coached by Dominic Ducharme led 1-0.
Quebec played much better to begin the second period using their speed putting pressure in Halifax defensive zone taking advantage of a penalty to Trey Lewis for cross checking at 5:46. With a surgical precision, Mikhail Grigorenko beat Mosseheads rookie goalie at 7:26 tying the score 1-1.
Nathan MacKinnon came back giving his team the lead for second times in the game also during a penalty to Quebec forward Michael McNamee. MacKinnon goal had been scored with only 14 seconds gone to McNamee’s penalty.
After successfully killed first penalty to teammates Darcy Ashley to begin the third period Quebec came back tying the game during the second penalty to Ashley at 3:37 for interference. Having played important role in game one with key goal in game one Gabriel Desjardins scores another important goal bringing back both teams being tied 2-2 at 4:56.
Halifax Matthew Boudreau photo by Serge Poulin
Having the chance to be the hero of game two, with what could have been the game winning goal that could have given their first win, in that series, the young rookie saw the puck went in the crowd instead of hitting the board, being penalized for delay of game.
With all players driving to the net, Logan Shaw was finally the one who pushed the puck behind the goal line with 20 seconds remaining in the third period forcing both teams to go in overtime.
Playing very well in first game with teammates Desjardins and Alexandre Contois, Jeremie Malouin sent all peoples home with Quebec 4th goal giving a 4-3 wins for Remparts second victories in that series.
Coming in front herds of reporters wanting to ask questions about the winning goals, the Halifax head coach Dominic Ducharme stayed calm answering every question with professionalism.
“For one the puck was there, our goaltender was about to jump on the puck and Contois (Alexandre) has been pushed toward the net but referees didn’t call it.”
Halifax center (22) Nathan MacKinnon photo by Serge Poulin
Asked about what referees gave as explanation Ducharme answered, “He told me that he wasn’t pushed.”
“No, we wanted to win but with 40 seconds we led everything seen to be good but the play was one we usually did shooting the puck along the board to make sure the other team didn’t got the puck. But instead the puck went in the crowd it happened. We just had been surprised on the pass to Duclair. A battle in front of the net and the puck went in. Overall in the sixty minutes we played well but the goal at the end seemed to affect us.”
On the other side Quebec coach Patrick Roy couldn’t ask for better outcome after the first two games at home. “Honestly I found the game was more open in last two periods than in first one. It has been a much better show for the people.”
Talking about the line of Malouin Desjardins and Contois Roy said, “I have to admit these three guys were on the job. They work hard I wasn’t affraid to use them against any other lines, I sent them against MacKinnon line and they continued to step up their game. They are on mission, they are determined and I adore their attitude.”
Quebec will take the road to Halifax playing next three games next Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday if necessary.
Three other series were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday
Baie-Comeau 2 vs. Saint John 10 ( Saint John leads series 2-0)
Chicoutimi 2 vs. Shawinigan 7 (series tied 1-1)
Rimouski 0 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 2 (series tied 1-1)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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