QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — In a game dominated by Rimouski in shots on goal 45-21, the Oceanic put an end to Halifax hope to stay alive and force an ultimate game seven. Having the lead most of the game, Rimouski saw Halifax scored twice in second period to take the lead, but late goal in third period brought both teams in overtime.
After missing a couple of chances in regulation Robbie DeFulvis played the hero for Rimouski scoring at 8:02 of overtime leading the Oceanic to 3-2 win over the Halifax Mooseheads.
With the victory over Halifax, the team coached by Serge Beausoleil will take part of the QMJHL President Cup for the fourth time in the last 15 years.
Back home facing the possibility of being eliminated (trailing semifinal series 3-2), fans who came to assist to the game in Metro Centre, should expects, to see their favorite begin the game like a lion in rage.
The team coached by Dominique Ducharme tried to play physical. Rimouski answered Halifax physical play by totally dominated the opening period in shots on goal 18-4 and on the scoreboard by taking the lead 1-0.
If Zachary Fucale wasn’t as his best in game five against Rimouski, the Mooseheads goaltender made 10 saves in first five minutes of game six.
Serge Beausoleil’s team took control of first half of opening period (13-0 with 9:57 gone) but loses center Francis Beauvillier (in first presence) who left game with 6:52 gone and didn’t came back.
Jacub Culek thought he had given the lead to the Oceanic but after reviewing the play referee said “the puck was hit higher than shoulder.” Score still 0-0.
Scoring last nine goals in that series Rimouski broke the ice with 3:45 remaining in the first period. Trainor’s shot from a surgical precision went just under Fucale glove scoring his 11th of the playoff. Alexandre Mallet got the only helper.
Beginning the second period with 40 seconds left to Culek penalty, (taken at the end of first period) Halifax wasn’t able to take advantage of their second power play opportunities.
Convinced he had scored Oceanic second goal of the game, Robbie DeFulvis saw referee for second times in game after reviewing the play said, “no goal.”
Leading 5- 1 in shots on goal to begin the second periods, Rimouski felt the tempo of the game changing side with Halifax first goal.
Blanking Halifax in last 96:22 seconds, the Mosseheads finally put a puck behind Jacob Gervais-Chouinard. Left alone in slot, Alexandre Grenier turning the great pass from Nathan MacKinnon by scoring Halifax first goal with 12:33 left in the middle frame.
Last Halifax goal had been scored in third period of game four. The goal had been scored by Captain Cameron Critchlow with a man advantage.
Blanked on their first power play opportunity in the game, Halifax took the lead for first time with only 3 seconds left to penalty to Rimouski defenseman Pier-Luc Pelletier.
Jonathan Drouin deflected a shot from MacKinnon (2nd assists in game) at 9:45.
Rimouski missed two great scoring chances to tie the game in last five minutes of the second period. Petr Straka hit the crossbar for one, and Alex Belzile was unable to lift the puck over Mooseheads netminder.
With Straka hitting his second post in the game to begin the third period the Halifax defensemen showed some sign of nervousness.
Everything seemed under control for Dominique Ducharme team until Scott Oke tied the game 2-2 at 15:47 of third period pushing both teams to overtime.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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