Baie-Comeau wins first game over Quebec in rookie tournament

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Arriving in Chicoutimi Thursday to take part of a rookie tournament in Georges Vezina center, Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher was anxious to see how his rookies would performed against other rookies from Baie-Comeau, Chicoutimi and Rimouski. Quebec first game was scheduled for 17:00. Observing his troops from higher in the arena the coaching staff saw their team lose 5-3.

Quebec never had a chance to impose their rhythm been caught for too many penalties having to defend themselves nine times during the game.

Baie-Comeau broke the ice with Samy Pare goal at 9:26 at even strength. Quebec replied 4:21 later also at even strength as Alexandre Fortier who had been a sixth round (242th overall) selection in 2016 scored his first goal bringing both teams to square one.

Drakkar line of Antoine Savard, Samy Pare and Simon Charland who all contributed on Baie-Comeau first goal came back again to give back the lead to Martin Cadorette team. This time Antoine Savard has been the author of goal assisted by Pare and Charland at 17:20.

Leading by one after first twenty minutes, Baie-Comeau took advantage of Quebec undisciplined to register first power play goal. With Quebec forward Jerome Laframboise in the box for hooking, Baie-Comeau scored their first of three power play goals in the middle frame.

Selected by Baie-Comeau in ninth round (157 overall) in 2015 Zachary St. Surin beat Quebec goaltender Marc-Antoine Berube Jalbert at 7:28 of the second period. Gabriel Fontaine scored what became the game winning goal as teams played at even strength at 12:26.

Leading by three (4-1) after two periods of play, Baie-Comeau came back in third periods adding another goal this time with the help of their power play their second in nine opportunities. Samuel Dickner scored his first of the rookie tournament becoming Drakkar the insurance goal at 6:52 of the third period.

Quebec replied with last two goals of the game. Selected in first round (18th overall) in 2017 Pier-Rick Dube scored Quebec second goal of the game at 18:23. Guillaume St-Pierre came back 29 seconds later to score Quebec third goal.

Quebec will be back in action on Friday at 17:00 facing Rimouski Oceanic.

Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com