QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Having lost their last two games in front of their fans, Rimouski left no doubt on the outcome of game five Friday night. Three goals in the first period, four in middle frame by the Oceanic led Serge Beausoleil’s team to a one-sided 9-0 victory over the Halifax Mooseheads.
Rimouski pushes Halifax to the verge of elimination taking a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven QMJHL semifinal.
Rimouski dictated the tempo of the first period scoring. Peter Trainor opened the scoring 1:50. Trainor’s wrist shot beat Mooseheads netminder Zachary Fucale top corner on left side.
The Oceanic came back five minutes later with Jean-Francois Plante’s 5th goal of the playoffs. Petr Straka from behind the net found the Oceanic center in slot giving no chance to Fucale who has been beaten for second times on his left side.
After killing the first Halifax power play following a penalty to Oceanic center Francis Beauvillier, Scott Oke redirected a shot from Straka from left side beating Mooseheads netminder over his left shoulder giving a 3-0 lead to Rimouski at 13:43.
Ripping off Jonathan Lavoie helmet in a fight, Halifax Captain Cameron Critchlow was ejected at 17:37. Rimouski, for their part, lost the services of Lukas Culek who went to Oceanic locker room and never came back.
Rimouski continued their domination adding four more goals to their lead in second periods.
Blanked on first power play opportunity Rimouski didn’t waste their second chances during penalty to Halifax defenseman Steve Gillard. Jean-Philippe Mathieu on perfect pass from Straka beat the young 16 year old on his right side with a backhanded shot at 11:04.
The Oceanic added two more goals in 1:09. Left alone near Fucale crease, Francis Beauvillier scored Rimouski fourth goal in shorthanded situation at 13:17. Already registering three assists in game, Straka scored his 7th of the playoff at 14:26.
After giving up six goals on 24 shots, Halifax head coach Dominique Ducharme pulled his starting goaltender sending in Marc-Olivier Daigle.
Veteran Oceanic defenseman welcomed the Mooseheads backup netminder with Rimouski 7th goal during their second power play opportunities at 16:07.
Alexandre Mallet at even strength with 8:19 remaining in third period and Alexandre Lavoie shorthanded completed the scoring at 18:34.
Both teams will leave Rimouski, heading to Halifax for game six this Sunday afternoon. In the other QMJHL semifinal, Chicoutimi will play Saint John in Harbour Station on Saturday.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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