Quebec wins over Saint John

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Totally dominated in their last confrontation with Saint John in Harbour Station (losing 6-0) Quebec had plenty of motivation to step on the ice in their own building to take their revenge Tuesday night. Three goals

by Mikhail Grigorenko, the last two 12 seconds apart, led Quebec to a 4-1 win over the Sea Dogs. With the win Quebec is first overall in the QMJHL with two games in hand over Saint John’s.
 
Playing without two of their star players, Jonathan Huberdeau and Stanislav Galiev, the Sea Dogs played an excellent first period with Scott Oke getting the best scoring chance on Saint John first 8 shots. Danick Gauthier missed an empty net on a two-on-one with less the 40 seconds remaining in the period.
 
Michael McNamee and Anthony Duclair had Quebec’s best scoring opportunities but Mathieu Corbeil who ended the game making 29 saves on Quebec 33 shots closed the door on the Remparts first 11 shots.
 
A penalty to Saint John’s defenseman Ian Saab for roughing opened the door for Quebec. Ryan Culkin found Grigorenko in the slot letting a wrist shot go that beat Saint John’s netminder low to his right side 4:29 into the middle frame.
 
Grigorenko came back with his second of the night this time at even strength with a one-timer that gave no chance to Sea Dogs goaltender. Veteran left winger Frederick Roy had the only assist at 9:28.
 
“Can’t be easier than that,” Roy said (of the play with Grigorenko and Anthony Duclair). “I just have to work hard drive the net and try to create some space on the ice.”
 
“He was definitely the best player I played with,” said the left winger. “I wish him the best,” answering the question about the chance Grigorenko play in the NHL next year.
 
Leading by two Quebec came back in the third adding two more goals in 12 seconds to kill any hope of a comeback by the visitor. Making the save on Grigorenko breakaway in first five minutes of the third period, the Russian player who has been ranked by the international Scouting Services completed his hat trick with 9:57 gone into the period.
 
“In the second period I had two great chances to score more goals but I only score three but we won. I think is great,” Grigorenko said.
 
“Yes I think it was one of my good games but I think I played others games better.” Said the one who has been selected the first stars of the game.
 
Playing in front of 10,622 fans in le Colisee Pepsi and lots of scouts who came to see him could present a great challenge but he answered it showing character and determination.
 
“I can say that he played a strong game, his line played a strong game, but I can also say that all of our players played strong game. It was the kind of performance we needed to win that game. No doubt about it.” The Quebec head coach Roy said in his post game press conference.
 
“Our defensemen also played very well closing the gap preventing the opponent to get in dangerous zone. Our forwards came back to help our defensemen. It was the kind of performance that make us proud.”
 
Patrick Walsh scores Quebec fourth goal 12 seconds later 10:09 to crash any hope of any possible come back from the Sea Dogs.
 
Zack Phillips scored Saint John’s only goal in the game at 15:20 of the third period for the team that had two points lead before the game in first place in the QMJHL overall standing. On the other side Saint John head coach Gerard Gallant gave credit to his opponent.
 
“They played a real good hockey game tonight, we played a good first period I was happy but stars player took stupid penalties and they scores on power plays. That opened the door for them. We have the team to compete but we have lots of young kids in our lineup tonight that don’t use to dress for us. When you have lots if injuries that’s what you do but I think Quebec played really solid game really sounded both ends of the game.”
 
Quebec will play its next two games on the road. The Remparts will be in Drummondville facing the Voltigeurs on Friday. On Sunday, Roy’s team will be Chicoutimi visiting their archrival the Sagueneens.
  Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com