QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Coming into Acadie-Bathurst registering two wins in overtime over the weekend, Quebec hoped to return home still undefeated. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and unfortunately for Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher his team lose by the score of 3-0. Titans goaltender Reilly Pickard registered his first shutout in 2017-18, his fifth one in QMJHL career making 22 saves. 
Playing his first game in the QMJHL young goaltender Oliver Troops did pass the test in first period as he made several key saves keeping the Titans at bay.
Getting the first power play opportunity Quebec did not really get great scoring opportunity, giving away the best scoring opportunity to their opponent on a breakaway. Thanks to the 6’07” 210 pound Quebec netminder Troops stopped Acadie-Bathurst right winger Justin Ducharme with his left pads.
Jeffrey Truchon-Viel got another chance to open the scoring for the home team but again the young 16 years old Remparts netminder made the save.
From the eight shots Quebec had in first period against Titans goaltender Reilly Pickard, only one was a good scoring opportunity. That opportunity belonged to Austin Eastman but as Troops did for Quebec Pickard made the save against Quebec left winger. Quebec got the edge in shot on goal in the initial period 8-6.
After scoreless first period, Acadie-Bathurst broke the ice with two goals in 42 seconds to end the middle frame leading 2-0. Antoine Morand was the first to beat Quebec goalie with a wrist shot beating Oliver Troops over his left shoulder with only 1:49 remaining in second period. The goal was scored as both teams playing four-on-four.
Supporting the offense Acadie-Bathurst defenseman Adam Holwell’ wrist shot from left face-off circle beat the Quebec ninth round selection (152nd overall) in 2016 on his right side at 18:52.
Already been 0-in-2 with a man advantage in the game Quebec got two other chances to play on the power play but was unable to take advantage. Remparts was 2-in-22 since the season began (6 games and two-third of game 7 as of this writing) with a man advantage.
The Titans added to their lead only 42 seconds later as they were the beneficiary of second power play opportunity in the game.
Trailing by two after forty minutes Quebec began the third with 1:10 on their power play. Unable to take advantage of it, the visitor has been the beneficiary of another occasion to play a man up following a four minutes penalty to Felix Meunier two for cross checking and an additional two for high sticking. Already 0-in-4 in the game Quebec ended 0-in-7 in the game.
Already scoring Titans second goal, the former Moncton Wildcats defenseman scored his second of the night with 3:15 remaining in the third period.
Coming out of their first three games-in-three nights in regular season, Quebec will come home playing next three games in four nights with first two in videotron center.
Beginning on Thursday night, Quebec, will host the Victoriaville Tigres. On Friday, Quebec, will be involve in home and home series hosting their arch-rival Rimouski Oceanic on Saturday and will end the weekend on next Sunday visiting Rimouski.
Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Blainville-Boisbriand 5 vs. Halifax 4 (overtime)
Cape Breton 4 vs. Drummondville 5
Moncton 3 vs. Rimouski 4 (overtime)
Victoriaville 5 vs. Sherbrooke 4
Val-d’Or 3 vs. Gatineau 5
Chicoutimi 5 vs. Shawinigan 0
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.