QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Encouraged by their last pre-season performance in Ottawa against an Ontario Hockey league team, the 67’s, Quebec Remparts head coach Patrick Roy saw his team brought back to harsh reality losing 6-3 against the Victoriaville Tigres in front of 12,141 fans.
After a thrilling introduction ceremony where each player’s was introduced to the fans, the visitors silenced the crowd by scoring the first goal of the
Victoriaville break the ice with first goal in the game scored by Philippe Maillet photo taken by Serge Poulin
Philippe Maillet (1g-1a) broke the ice when he only had to push the puck in an open net after Yannick Gourde forced Quebec Remparts rookie goaltender Francois Brassard to make the first save.
Talking about the Remparts netminder, Brassard, Roy didn’t blame his rookie netminder even if he was victim of six.
“He was very good. Look it was very dull for him even after giving the third goal. It was part of the game, but no, it would be too easy to hide behind the goaltender. We weren’t good defensively. They easily won their battles along the board, they drive the puck to the net and I found we didn’t do a good job against players driving to the net,” Roy said after the game.
Quebec tied the game less than seven minutes later on their second power play opportunity during a penalty to Victoriaville forward Yannick Dube. Veteran left winger Frederick Roy took the rebound from defenseman Owen Werthner pushing the puck under Tigres goaltender Brendon Whitney.
Even as Quebec saw their opponent take the lead at first, nothing led anyone to believe what happened in the last forty minutes.
“We played good in the first period. I think we had great scoring opportunities but we have to admit, that, in second period, they took control of the game.
They were far better than us in the offensive zone. We saw that when you are young defensively, it will be tough sometimes. It’s a team that works very, very well defensively and in offensive zone with good veteran,” Roy said when asked to talk about the whole game.
Victoriaville came back in the second, totally dominating Quebec in shots on goal 19-6 but thanks to Brassard, the visitors were able to put only one puck behind the former Lac St-Louis Midget AAA goaltender.
Angelo Miceli gave a 2-1 lead to his team with the first of two Victoriaville power plays in the game. Miceli’s shot deflected on Brassard stick before going in at 3:18 of middle frame.
Jeremy Beaudry gave a two-goal lead 6:20 into the third period when his shot along the board found a tiny hole between Quebec netminder glove and the post.
Another veteran who expects to play key role for Victoriaville scored his first goal of the season. Gourde (1g-2a), scored Tigres fourth goal 3:13 later during a penalty to Quebec veteran forward Jeremie Malouin who had been found guilty of spearing and earned four minutes for his gesture.
Quebec came back scoring the next two goals, both with a man-advantage.
Quebec Remparts rookie goaltender Francois Brassard wasn%27t to blame for Quebec loss making 32 saves on Victoriaville 38 shots photo taken by Serge Poulin
Victoriaville came back with their sixth goal of the night, in an empty net by Philippe Halley with nine seconds remaining to the game.
For one, the Victoriaville head coach Yannick Jean, was happy about his team’s win, considering that his team played without seven players (four went to pro camp, three others to injuries).
“It was sure we were happy especially with all the missing players,” said the Tigres head coach.
“We still have lots of works to do we knew it, its normal, continued Jean. “We weren’t happy about our first period, we didn’t brought enough pucks on their net, but in second we took control of the game.”
Asked if the difference in the game was the power play, Jean seemed to agree but gave other explanations.
“Yes, but I’m very happy that at even strength I think it made a difference, I like the way we worked, we didn’t give any goals at even strength, but we scored couple ones. We didn’t scores lots of goals at the end of training camp but it will help to find our confidence back.”
Quebec’s next game will be this Sunday against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
Elsewhere in the league, seven other games were on schedule.
Cape Breton 3 vs. Moncton 1
Halifax 6 vs. Prince Edwards Island 5
Saint John 1 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 8
Drummondville 2 vs. Baie-Comeau 3
Val-d’Or 1 vs. Gatineau 4
Blainville Boisbriand 3 vs. Rimouski 1
Rouyn-Noranda 6 vs. Shawinigan 4
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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