QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Four goals scored in the third period led Quebec to their 31st victory of the season, winning 4-2 over the Rimouski Oceanics. Leading by one after forty minutes of play, the Oceanics saw Quebec right winger John Audy-Marchessault score twice, leading his team offensively in this game. Marchessault’s second goal (26th of the season) became his tenth game winning goal of the year.
After successfully killing the first two Quebec power plays in the opening period, Rimouski opened the scoring on their third shorthanded situation during a penalty to Alex Belzile for delay of game at 18:09. Oceanics defenseman Jerome Gauthier-Leduc beat Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue high on the left side with a shot from the slot with 57 seconds remaining in the period.
Quebec and Rimouski faced each other for a third time this season with each team winning on their own ice. Rimouski won the last contest 5-1 on November 28th. Felix Lefrancois, Jarrad Struthers and Jonathan Lavoie forced the Quebec netminder to make great saves, Alexandre Grenier and Mikael Tam got the two best scoring opportunities for the visitors. Shots on goal were 10-10 after twenty minutes.
Already requesting a trade, Rimouski defenseman Ryan Kavanagh saw his trade request granted by Oceanics General Manager Yannick Dumais sending his 19-year-old defenseman to the Shawinigan Cataractes. In return, the Oceanic received the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles first round pick in 2011 previously acquired by Rimouski at the QMJHL draft last summer and the Cataractes’ third round selection in 2011.
The Oceanics also made another trade acquiring 19-year-old defenseman Alex MacDonald from the Moncton Wildcats. In return, the Oceanics gave a third round pick in 2011 and a second round pick in 2012.
Quebec began the second period with a man up but like the opening period Rimouski goaltender Morgan Clark and his teammates made certain to kill this Quebec power play blanking Quebec on five attempts after forty minutes. Rimouski was 0-2.
Audy-Marchessault tied the game for Quebec with a shot giving no chance for Rimouski goaltender between his pads with 1:29 gone in third period. Matthew Brown gave the lead to Quebec for first time in the game more than three minute later. Brown used Gleason Founier as a screen before beating Clark with a long shot 5:41 into third period.
Rimouski defenseman Casey Babineau brought both teams back to square one with Rimouski second goal with less than six minutes remaining. After seeing the first shot by Gauthier-Leduc block by Quebec netminder, Babineau took a shot and saw the puck went top net on Domingue left side at 15:52.
Forgotten in the red zone, Audy-Marchessault drove the net taking a rebound from Martin Lefebvre from the point. Marchessault’s shot found his way between Clark’s pads crossing the goal line for his second goal of the third period and his tenth game winning goal of the season with 22.6 seconds remaining.
Frederick Roy completed Quebec scoring ten seconds later with an empty netter for Quebec’s fourth goal of the game for the victory giving them 65 points in the standings.
Next Quebec game will be this Friday night January 7 visiting the Shawinigan Cataractes at the Bionest Center.
Elsewhere in the QMJHL
Moncton 3 vs. Cape Breton 2
Halifax 4 vs. Prince Edward Island 2
Acadie-Bathurst 3 vs. Saint John 4 (shootout)
Drummondville 0 vs. Lewiston 7
Gatineau 4 vs. Shawinigan 2
Victoriaville 5 vs. Baie-Comeau 2
Montreal 1 vs. Chicoutimi 2
Rouyn-Noranda 2 vs. Val-d’Or 8 (2:30 remaining in the third period)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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