QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Gabriel Desjardins (2g-1a) and Logan Shaw (2g) led
Quebec Logan Shaw photo by Serge Poulin
Discipline, opportunism, and leadership, that’s what Quebec showed for second game leading them to one sided victory in game two of first round series against Drummondville.
After seeing Shaw with a one-timer open the scoring with only 4:36 gone in the opening period Quebec came back with next two goals in 57 seconds chasing Drummondville goaltender Domenic Graham for second time in as many games after allowing Quebec first three goals on Quebec first 6 shots.
Quebec Adam Erne photo by Serge Poulin
Adam Erne (10:09), and Desjardins with first of two goals in the game (11:06) gave Quebec 3-0 lead.
Like in the first game on last Thursday Drummondville head coach Mario Duhamel pulled his starting netminder (3 goals on 6 shots in 11:06) sending veteran Alexandre Veronneau. Contrary to what happened in game one, the former Quebec Remparts goalie (who belong to Quebec for couple hours before been traded to Drummondville at latest trading deadline), saw Alexandre Contois beat him on a five-on-three men advantage 14:03 in first period.
After given two more goals in 2:12 in beginning of second period to Quebec Anthony Duclair (wrist shot 0:23) on power play and Shaw (his second of the night 3:11) Voltigeurs head coach sent Graham back in the game after Veronneau allowed 3 other goals on Quebec 11 shots.
Mathieu Lavalleee gave Quebec an 8-0 lead with his first of the series at 17:53 of middle frame.
If Quebec head coach praised his players for the effort in first two periods he made sure his players get the message as far as the way his players played in third period.
Quebec Jeremie Malouin photo by Serge Poulin
“We came out strong, we have had a very good start and that’s what we wanted,” Patrick Roy said in his post game press conference. “We took advantage of our power play 4 goals on 9 power play opportunities, that’s what we wanted.”
“As I like our first two periods, in the third we seemed to skate as fast as we did in first two periods, we didn’t come back as fast as we did in first two periods and the third finished 2-2. One thing is clear, if we don’t play like we did in first forty minutes you will have a game tomorrow in Drummondville. We can’t have any let go. We will to play strong with same intensity and same discipline like we have had in first two games.”
Roy seemed surprised after seeing his opponent be undisciplined for second game.
“I’m surprised too, but I think they think they will beat us playing that way Referees did an excellent job, after the whistle when they (Drummondville) want to abuse to the situations they called the penalties. In same time I should say it’s shame, hockey should continue to evolve, hockey doesn’t need these situations, and hockey doesn’t need slashing. Hockey need fast execution, hockey need good checks, player like Crosby who will makes plays, or Ovechkin who will take a shot, key saves by goaltenders, that’s what hockey needed.”
Marc-Olivier Brouillard put Voltigeurs on board for first time 1:43 into third period, but Desjardins came back with his second of the game in shorthanded situation beating Graham on a breakaway at 6:48. Andre Bouvet-Morrissette (11:11) with a man advantage for Drummondville and Frederick Roy also on power play completed the scoring for Quebec at 18:31.
Drummondville goaltender Domenic Graham photo by Serge Poulin
“Nervousness was good for first game, we will tell the true things here,” answered Voltigeurs head coach Duhamel after the game. “When you face team with more skills… they show lots of character leadership than our team so that’s what make 10- 2 in scores it’s as simple as that. You can’t play four against five, when you talk about leadership character they beat us on every facets.”
Both teams will be back on the ice tonight in Drummondville for game three of that series. All the other series will be in action also on Tuesday night in the QMJHL.
One other series on schedule in QMJHL on Monday night
Halifax 8 vs. Moncton 2 ( Halifax leads series 3-0)
QMJHL other first round series
Cape Breton vs. Saint John ( Saint John lead series 2-0)
Rouyn-Noranda vs. Shawinigan ( Shawinigan lead 2-0)
Gatineau vs. Blaiville-Boisbriand (Blainville-Boisbriand lead 2-0)
Baie-Comeau vs. Victoriaville (Baie-Comeau lead 2-0)
Moncton vs. Halifax ( Halifax lead 3-0)
Val-d’Or vs. Rimouski ( Rimouski lead 2-0)
Acadie-Bathurst vs. Chicoutimi ( Chicoutimi lead 2-0)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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