QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Playing their second game in three nights Quebec took their opponent too lightly and needed to go into a shootout before registering a 5-4 win.
Cape Breton first goal scored by Michael Clarke photo by Serge Poulin
Ending Friday night’s game against Prince Edward Island with only one point (an assist) Mikhail Grigorenko scored four goals on Sunday afternoon but it wasn’t enough to win in regulation time.
Nikita Kucherov ended the suspense being the only one to put the puck behind Cape Breton goalie Philippe Trudeau.
Playing their third game in as many nights losing in Shawinigan the night before, the Screaming Eagles opened the scoring with only 48 seconds gone in the initial period. Taking advantage of a loose puck in front of Quebec netminder, Michael Clarke beat Zachary Fortin who got tough night in his third outing of the year.
“I think we did,” Cape Breton head coach Ron Shoules said after the game. “We know how to play against the Remparts, unfortunately sometimes, things go away. I think it’s part of growing up, I think we learned a lot today. I appreciate the effort of our guys for third game in three nights, we were on the road for five days. That’s what we are, that is the team we are, so I’m very proud of our boys.”
Quebec first goal scored by Mkhail Grigorenko photo by Serge Poulin
Asked if his team was confident for the shootout, Screaming Eagles head coach Shoules aid, “Very confident, I have confidence in my players, my goalies and my shooters.”
Talking about the importance of the point his team got in shootout loss, Mr. Shoules said, “Very important, we should got one in last night game in Shawinigan, every point is very important especially in our division.”
The beneficiary of a penalty shot at 1:22 of first period after being tripped by Cape Breton defenseman, Quebec left winger Anthony Duclair missed his shot on Screaming Eagles goalie.
Quebec replied 2:02 after Cape Breton first goal with Grigorenko first of two in first period redirecting a shot from defenseman Stephen Midensky (ended his game with three assists).
Already shutout on their first power play attempt, Quebec took the lead for first time in the game, playing with a man advantage, for second times in the first period. Grigorenko one-timer left no chance to opponent netminder at 8:29.
Cape Breton came back in second tying the game at two goals apiece with Alexandre Lavoie first of the night, when the puck found tiny hole between Zachary Fortin right pads and the post 2:42 into second frame.
Hitting for fifty percent in first period with a man advantage, Quebec kept the same efficiency scoring their second goal on four power play opportunities, when the Quebec Russian center Grigorenko scored Quebec third goal of the game, his third of the night, for his fourth career hat trick at 3:52, ending the second period leading 3-2.
Quebec goaltender Zachary Fortin ended his game making 22 saves on Cape Breton 26 shots on goals photo by Serge Poulin
Like they did in first two periods by scoring first, Cape Breton tied the game for second times when the wrist shot, from William Carrier, beat Quebec goalie Fortin between his pads at 7:48.
Both teams traded goals with Quebec regaining the lead on Gregorenko fourth of the night at 17:37, but the visitor came back only 35 seconds later with second of the game, by Alexandre Lavoie pushing both teams in overtime and eventually in shootout, before seeing Kucherov be the only one being success, to put a puck behind opponent netminder.
“I think I played well, I would like to thank my teammates who made me great passes, helping me to scores goals” Mikhail Grigorenko said about his performance, but when talked about his team performance he agreed to say that it wasn’t a great one. “It wasn’t a great performance for our team, we worked hard but we didn’t execute good, strategically.”
Cape Breton goaltender Philippe Trudeau in action photo by Serge Poulin
For one, the Quebec netminder didn’t hide being disappointed by his performance.
“Yes I’m disappointed about my performance, yes we won but I didn’t make the saves I should have done. I’m disappointed about my own performance and I didn’t perform up to the team expectation,” Fortin said after the game.
For Quebec head coach Patrick Roy, he began by admitting the opponent played well but wasn’t happy about his team defensive performances. “I have to admit Cape Breton played good game, they worked better than us, it gave the result we have had.”
“We were awful,” Roy continued when asked if it was tougher for his team at even strength. “I wouldn’t take out anything from our opponent today, but we were awful. I said in the office that it was possibly the worst performance from our defensive unit in my last ten years here. Honestly, two goals on rebound, we played against a team that played much better than us, we did not put pressure on the defensemen on for checking, and we were always second on the puck….”
Quebec will play their next two games on the road, visiting Rimouski facing the Oceanic on Wednesday. On Friday, Quebec will play Shawinigan, before coming back in front of their fans, next Sunday hosting Victoriaville Tigres.
Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Saint John 1 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 8
Acadie-Bathurst 4 vs. Drummondville 5
Baie-Comeau 5 vs. Val-d’Or 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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