QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Playing the first of two games in twenty-four hours, Quebec signed third straight win in defeating Victoriaville 4-1. Celebrating his 18th birthday Matthew Boucher scored his first career hat trick with two of them being scored in shorthanded situations.
Quebec defenseman Pierre-Luc Lurette (7) got his first point playing in his hist game with Quebec photo by Serge Poulin
Victoriaville opened the scoring. Pascal Laberge brought back puck on his backhand before beating Quebec goaltender high on Callum Booth right side at 3:24.
Quebec tied the game less than three minutes later, a goal Tigres goaltender would like to get another chance on. Matthew Boucher long wrist shot beat Victoriaville goaltender James Poval over right shoulder at 6:15.
Guilty of another too many men on the ice Quebec 18 overall in penalty killing the visitor wasn’t able to take advantage of first power play opportunity.
Defending themselves for second times in the game following a penalty to Olivier Garneau Quebec took the lead for first time in the game. Stealing the puck to Tigres defenseman Bradley Lalonde Quebec right winger Bronson Beaton made great pass to Matthew Boucher redirecting Beaton pass in a two-on-one behind Victoriaville netminder at 17:59.
A solid check deep in offensive zone by Quebec left winger Yanick Turcotte on Victoriaville left defenseman Tristan Pomerleau lead to Quebec third goal scored by Quebec right winger Ryan McReynold at 8:19.
Quebec left winger Massimo Carozza play on first line photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec will go on the road for their last game before Christmas Break visiting Blainville-Boisbriand on Friday night.
In third period Quebec got a two-on-one breakaway with Beaton and Brouillard ending with Brouillard hitting the post before Matthew Boucher completed his hat trick scoring a second shorthanded goals in the game celebrating his 18th anniversary playing a game at home in front of parents and friends with his father being the Quebec head coach.
“I didn’t have any we wait Christmas,” answered the first stars of the game Matthew Boucher after scoring three goals two in shorthanded situations. “I didn’t though about it, Boucher said as he scored his 17th, 18th and 19th at he just get 18th years old.
“We played great game as team to get the victory, it is my first hat trick it is very funny. “We pass the game playing shorthanded,” continued the center scoring two of his three goals in shorthanded situations.
Winning their third games in –a-row and having to play just one other in Blainville-Boisbriand on Friday night Quebec head coach was really happy about his team third consecutive wins.
Victoriaville defenseman Felix Lauzon photo by Serge Poulin
“It was fun for him, today was a really special day his 18th birthday and to do his first hat trick here he can be really proud.” Quebec head coach said about his sun first career hat trick.
“We took some penalties that could be costly for us Callum has been very good to make the key saves. We talked about our penalty killing negatively this year that was truth but tonight we can talk about it positively we were very good tonight. Turcotte (Yanick) and Garneau (Olivier did really good job as they played on our first penalty kill unit, our defensemen did very good job Dutra (Aaron) did played his best game since he is in Quebec. He played very good game getting point very nice play from Beaton on second goals scored by “Matt” (Matthew Boucher). “ Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said.
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Thursday night
Moncton 4 vs. Halifax 1
Cape Breton 4 vs. Saint John 2
Sherbrooke 1 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 4
Rouyn-Noranda 3 vs. Val-d’Or 4
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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Victoriaville goaltender James Poval made first save photo by Serge Poulin
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