QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — The second goal by Rimouski left winger Jonathan Lavoie in the third period (first one in second period) led Rimouski to a 4-3 win over Quebec on Friday night in front of 4178 happy fans in le Colisee de Rimouski.
Confusion behind the Quebec net between Remparts goaltender Jimmy Appleby (who relieved starting netminder Louis Domingue) and rookie defenseman Brandon Duke led to the second goal by Jonathan Lavoie at 9:26 of third period.
Trailing by three with only 1:56 left in the second period Quebec made a great effort coming from behind scoring the next three goals thus tying the score at three.
But the home team regained the lead with the second goal of Rimouski left winger to seal the fate of Quebec fans who made the trip to Rimouski to support their favorites.
Rimouski scored twice in the opening period, adding one goal in the middle frame and another in the third period keeping Quebec head coach Patrick Roy from his 250th victory as Remparts head coach.
A five-minute penalty for check from behind by Quebec forward Frederick Roy (who was ejected from the game) on Alex MacDonald opened the door for Rimouski. A fight broke out between Roy and Jarrad Struthers following Roy check gave Rimouski a three-minute power play instead of five with Struthers earning two minutes for instigating.
Rimouski opened the scoring when both teams played four-on-four. Oceanics captain Felix Lefrancois was the first Rimouski player to beat Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue with a wrist shot after Remparts defenseman Alex Wall and Mikael Tam collided at 11:48.
The home team added a second goal with both teams playing four-on-four. Mickael Beaudry beat Domingue with another precise wrist shot more than a minute later (13:12).
Quebec penalty to Roy (Frederick) did not help the Remparts in the first period, the Oceanics didn’t miss, taking the momentum shooting 10 times compared to six shots against Oceanics netmimder Carl Hozjan.
Lefrancois, with two good scoring chances (one goal), Beaudry also with two good scoring chances (one goal) Jakub Culek (one good scoring chance) and Peter Straka also with one good scoring chance were Rimouski’s most dangerous players. Ryan Bourque with two shots and John Audy-Marchessault (with three) were the best players offensively for Quebec.
Jonathan Lavoie on a breakaway beat Quebec netminder making a great move from right to left and pushing the puck between Domingue’s pads with a backhanded shot at 1:56.
Rimouski’s third goal was the end of the night for Domingue, the victim of 3 goals on 11 shots. Jimmy Appleby entered the game making 13 saves on 14 shots.
Quebec got on the board for the first time in the game when Remparts Captain Mikael Tam beat Oceanics netminder between the pads less than two minutes later.
Quebec reduced Rimouski lead to one goal scoring their second in a shorthanded situation. With Joel Champagne in the box for tripping at 13:35, Marchessault put some pressure on Rimouski defenseman Jerome Gauthier-Leduc creating a turnover. The 20-year-old center found Mirko Hoefflin with a great pass beating Hozjan at 14:49.
Quebec will return home this Sunday afternoon facing the best team in the QMJHL the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Other Games in the QMJHL on Friday night.
Victoriaville 5 vs. Halifax 4 (shootout)
Cape Breton 3 vs. Moncton 4
Rouyn-Noranda 1 vs. Montreal 4
Saint John 3 vs. Baie-Comeau 2
Shawinigan 3 vs. Chicoutimi 2
Val-d’Or 2 vs. Drummondville 4
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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