Shawinigan first goal in the game scored by Peter Sakaris Photo by Serge Poulin
With the score 3-3 and less than a minute to go in the third period, Shawinigan goaltender Girard made the save of the game (glove save) against best scoring leaders in the QMJHL in playoff, John Audy-Marchessault with only 17.1 seconds remaining.
Cataractes’ head coach Eric Veilleux could not say enough about how proud he was of all his players.
“Trailing the series 3-1, whether you stay alive or you are dead,“ were the first words by Veilleux after winning game five in Quebec.
“Very satisfied, very proud of my players from the first minute to the last one, honestly on the three goals we allowed, I think we could prevented two, it was costing mistakes like in game four, we made three turnover and they capitalized on it. This time they didn’t have their heads down.”
“To end the first period with the lead, it helped us for sure.”
Being second guessed by fans and media in coming back with his veteran netminder Veilleux never hesitated to praise the work of Girard.
“He did an excellent job. I’m very happy for him, I’m very proud of him, lots of people talked about him, I tried to make him understand after games we played, you worked hard all year, we changes little things for the best, it will pay over a long run.”
Questioned if Girard change things technically or mentally, Cataractes head coach replied, “Sometimes hockey is a question of momentum, sometimes you gave a goal you would like to see it back, it’s how you react after this kind of goal that can make the difference. You often learned when you faced the adversity. He (Girard) works all winter long, so I have confidence in him.”
Shawinigan center David Lbrecque using Quebec defenseman Vincent Barnard as screen before shooting on Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue Photo by Serge Poulin
Shawinigan stepped on the ice in the opening period knowing their lives was on the line and by opening the score first for the first time in that series seem to boost their confidence.
Peter Sakaris, who ended the night with two goals (second one giving the win to his team in overtime), deflected a shot taken by Marc-Atoine Goyette.
Scoring their first goal seemed to shake Quebec netminder Louis Domingue who gave the second goal to Cataracte with only 18.2 seconds remaining in the first period.
The shot taken by Anton Zlobin from the right side deflected on the Quebec netminder’s left pads before going in.
Quebec began the second period putting pressure on the Shawinigan defensemen and forcing them into bad passes thus creating turnovers resulting in two Quebec goals. Shawinigan scored only once in that period.
Quebec thought they had broke the ice with their first goal, but referee Francois Fortin whistle the play before the puck went in. Finally Quebec scored their first goal at 3:01. Ryan Bourque tipped in a perfect pass from center Olivier Hinse reducing Cataractes lead to one goal.
Shawinigan head coach Eric Veilleux adjusting strategy between whistle Photo by Serge Poulin
Shawinigan regained the lead only 36 seconds later when a scramble in Domingue’s goalmouth ended with Jean-Francois Plante second goal of the series giving a 3-2 lead to Cataractes at 11:01.
Quebec took only 49 seconds to tie the score 3-3 when Alexandre Grenier repaired Joe Dube who a shot go that gave no chance to the Shawinigan goaltender.
Both goaltenders made key saves in the third period preventing the other from taking the lead.
With 17.1 seconds to go in the third period, Marchessault saw Girard make what Shawinigan head coach called the save of the game.
Sakaris, with his second of the game, kept his team alive with the game winning goal at 12:43 of first overtime. Sakaris’s shot went through Domingue’s pads forcing game six in Shawinigan this Sunday afternoon.
Other Quarter-Final series in QMJHL
Saint John 3 vs. Victoriaville 2 ( Saint John wins the series 4-1)
Lewiston 4 vs. Montreal 5 (second overtime, Lewiston lead series 3-2)
Gatineau 5 vs. Drummondville 1 ( Gatineau lead series 3-2)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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