QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Expecting an offensive game between Quebec and Acadie-Bathurst, the fans coming to Centre K. C. Irving got what they paid for.
Unfortunately for Bathurst fans, Quebec came out on top winning 8-3.
Beginning a-two games-in-two-nights series over the weekend Quebec head coach Patrick Roy hoped to see his team begin the series on the right foot with a solid team performance.
After successfully killing the first penalty to teammate Marc-Antoine Carrier, Quebec broke the ice on their first opportunity with a man-advantage.
Missing an excellent scoring opportunity in the beginning of the first power play (penalty to Alec Jon Banville) when Adam Erne’s shot went too high following good play by Mikhail Grigorenko and Nikita Kucherov. Logan Shaw scored Quebec’s first goal pushing a loose puck behind Acadie-Bathurst goaltender Jacob Brennan with only 2 seconds remaining to Banville penalty and 10:34 left in first period.
Acadie Bathurst tied the game 1-1 scoring their first goal in the game at even strength. Unable to keep the rebound following first shot by Titan defenseman Olivier Houle, Matthew Bissonnette took the rebound and beat Quebec goalie Francois Brassard with a low shot more than four minutes after Quebec opened the scoring.
Before the initial period ended Quebec regained the lead on a goal by Adam Erne registering 15 points in Quebec’s last 16 games with his 12th goal of the year, with 1:25 remaining, a second goals with a man advantage.
At the right place and at the right time sometimes yields good results. That’s exactly what happened on Erne second goal of the game at 6:45. After successfully killed another Acadie-Bathurst penalty having the momentum since the beginning of second period, the Quebec left winger gave Quebec a two goals lead 3-1 with his 13th goal of the regular season.
Acadie-Bathurst replied 1:10 later with Bissonnette scoring his second of the night. Left uncovered at Quebec blue line the Titan left winger beat Brassard between his pads on a breakaway.
Winning his battle along the boards Kucherov made a perfect pass to Ryan Culkin who sent the puck on to Erne scoring his third goal of the game, his second hat trick this season, his third in junior career, giving no chance to Titan netminder beating Brennan with a one-timer at 15:02.
Quebec came back 1:27 later taking a 5-2 lead with 3:31 remaining in middle frame. Scoring his last goal on last February 26, 2012 Axel Rioux scores his first goal in last 32 games beating Acadie-Bathurst netminder between his pads.
Left uncovered at Quebec blue line on his second goal in the game, the veteran left winger Bissonnette completed his hat trick being forgotten near Brassard crease with 3:04 to play in second period.
Victim of five goals on 22 Quebec shots, Acadie-Bathurst head coach Eric Dubois decided to pull his starting goaltender Jacob Brennan after forty minutes of play sending Mason McDonald to begin the third period.
Already scoring twice in three power play opportunities, Quebec hit for third time in four opportunities with a man-advantage. Logan Shaw with his second of the night beat McDonald with a one-timer leaving no chance to Acadie-Bathurst goalie giving a three goal leads to Quebec for second times in the game at 9:54.
Nikita Kucherov scored Quebec’s 7th goal his sixth point in three games beating McDonald under his right arm at 12:03. Unable to keep the rebound following Quebec defenseman Marc-Antoine Carrier’s shot, McDonald saw Remparts center Jason Houde completed the scoring for Quebec scoring his 6th of the year, Quebec eighth goals of the game at 16:37.
Quebec ended the game scoring three goals on five power play opportunities while Acadie-Bathurst ended zero for three. Quebec had shots on goal 40, Acadie-Bathurst had 39.
After the game Quebec head coach Patrick Roy said the following on Quebec flagship radio station 93.3 FM, “It was a very offensive game, I have to admit that even me behind the bench I have had a lots of pleasure. It was a very good team performance, the line of Grigorenko Kucherov and Erne played a very strong game but overall I’m very satisfied of the team performances. Everyone brought great contributions inside their limit and that’s what we look for.”
“The power play was very good, the guys in shorthanded situations did superb job. In key moments goaltender Francois Brassard did key saves for us.”
Quebec next game will be on tonight visiting the Rimouski Oceanic.
Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday
Saint John 6 vs. Cape Breton 2
Shawinigan 2 vs. Moncton 11
Blainville-Boisbriand 6 vs. Prince Edward Island 5
Val-d’Or 6 Vs. Victoriaville 4
Chicoutimi 1 vs. Baie-Comeau 7
Rouyn-Noranda 2 vs. Drummondville 4
Sherbrooke 4 vs. Gatineau 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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