QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —In a game where both goaltenders saw action the
Mikhail Grigorenko introduced after winning silver medal at WJC photo by Serge Poulin
Questioned about his veteran goaltender performance the Remparts head coach Patrick Roy did not hesitate to admit his veteran did not play his best hockey.
“Sure Louis did not play his best game of the season, no doubt about it, but we didn’t play with the same intensity we’ve had before the holiday. We should have been better in our battle along the board, we can be definitely better. We took lots of risk, but we also did good things. In a night like tonight you always need the performance from your goaltender.”
Adam Erne scores – photo by Serge Poulin
After coming back in the game for a third time with goal scored by Quebec captain Mikael Tam at 18:06 of the third period, Victoriaville right winger Brandon Hynes who already had an assist previously in the game scores the goal that made the difference only 31 seconds after Quebec tying goal.
Francois Brassard, who came in the game after Victoriaville’s fourth goal second in second period at 14:18, got his second with 2:03 remaining in the game.
Quebec broke the ice with first of the night by Adam Erne 4:31 into the opening period following a two-on-one breakaway.
Recently acquired by the Tigres from the Acadie-Bathurst, defenseman Jerimie Blain tied the game 1-1 with first of two consecutive goals. Blain beat Louis Domingue between his pads coming from behind the net 3:45 later. Blain came back 1:55 later with his second of the game giving the lead for first time to Victoriaville.
But before retrieving to the locker room Quebec evened the score 2-2 with Frederick Roy 19th of the season with 33 second remaining in the first period.
Louis Domingue photo by Serge Pouin
Victoriaville came out in second taking a 4-2 lead on goals by Jeremie Beaudry 8:35 and Philippe Halley 14:18 of the middle frame. Seeing his veteran netminder being beaten three times between the pads Quebec head coach Patrick Roy pulled the trigger on his veteran goalie sending Brassard in the pipes. Domingue left the game giving four goals on 17 shots in 34:18.
Before the second period ended, Erne reduced the Victoriaville lead with his second of the game at 17:51. As Roy did after Victoriaville fourth goal, the Tigres head coach Yanick Jean decided to imitate the gesture of Quebec coach pulling his starting netminder David Honzik after allowing three goals on 16 shots in 37:51. Brandon Withney came in allowing two goals on 12 shots in 22:09.
Erne completed his hat trick bringing both teams back to square one with a man advantage 3:02 into the third period.
Yannick Dube gave back the lead 5-4 to the visitor at 9:16, but Quebec tied the game 5-5 on Tam 13th of the season but again the Tigres came 31 seconds later with the game winning goal scored by Hynes his 23rd of the regular season.
For Victoriaville head coach Yanick Jean the game should have ended 2-1.
“If you look the scoring chances it could have been a 2-1 or 3-2 game but a game like tonight 6-5 it shouldn’t have been expected a game like that. Defensively we gave up five goals but lately we limited the scoring chances on the other side, we went in the right direction.”
Victoriaville David Honzik photo by Serge Poulin
Talking about his recent acquisitions at the trading deadline the Tigres coach said, “I’m happy about our new player’s performance tonight, it’s important to not panicking doing the right things, and pay attention to the details for the new players to gel into our line up.” Quebec will be back in action this Saturday hosting the Val-d’Or Foreurs.
Three other games were on QMJHL schedule for Thursday
Drummondville 2 vs. Halifax 6
Shawinigan 4 vs. Saint John 1
Baie-Comeau 6 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 7 Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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