Baie-Comeau wins in shootout

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —In what was an exciting game for the 7056 fans in the Videotron Center Baie-Comeau needed to go to a shootout before returning home with 6-5 win. Ivan Chekhovich earned the first stas scoring three goals adding two assists.

Baie-Comeau opened the scoring on Wednesday night in Quebec. Making the save on first shot by Drakkar defenseman Gabriel Fortier, unable to control the rebound, Ivan Chekhovich jumped on the rebound, beating Quebec goaltender Anthony Morrone on his blocker side 2:39 into the opening period.

A turnover in Quebec defensive zone led to visiting team second goal. Losing his battle along the board on left side Quebec defenseman Benjamin Gagne saw Drakkar center Fortier making perfect pass to teammates Chekhocich in the slot, Drakkar left winger scored his second of the game, his second in first period at 6:10.

Quebec cut Baie-Comeau lead in half with Aleksei Sergeev seventh of the season as he completed great play from teammate Philipp Kurashev beating Drakkar goaltender Justin Blanchette under the crossbar at 10:27.

Quebec tied the game on their first power play opportunity 3:02 seconds later. Making first save on Quebec defenseman Christian Huntley Drakkar netminder can’t do anything as Quebec forward, near Blanchette goalie crease pushed the puck slowly getting in at 15:29.

Baie-Comeau regained their two goal leads with two goals in span of 25 seconds. Drakkar broke the tie on their first power play opportunity, with a perfect tic-tac-toe play, living no chance to Quebec netminder Morrone. Ivan Chekhovich, Yaroslav Alexeyev united their effort leading to Nathan Legare goal at 19:32.

Baie-Comeau came back 25 seconds later scoring their fourth goal of the period as Drakkar left winger Chekhovich completed his hat trick at 19:57.

Quebec brought both teams back to square one with two goals in span of 41 seconds. Quebec defenseman Benjamin Gagne scored Remparts third goal their second with a man advantage on three power play opportunities beating Drakkar netminder scoring his fourth of the year with 5:37 to play in middle frame.

Quebec tied the score 4-4 as Thamas Caron scored his first of of the year on great pass from Aleksei Sergeev 41 seconds later.

Quebec took the lead for first time in the game as veteran 20 years old Sam Dunn left no chance to Drakkar netminder beating Blanchette with a one-timer from left face-off circle at 17:43.

Already scoring his first goal of the year, Quebec fourth goal Thomas Caron saw a possible second goal scored been waved-off since referee Eric Charron clearly saw the Quebec forward intentionally pushed the puck with his skate.

Trailing by one for most of the third periods, Baie-Comeau head coach Martin Bernard decided to pull his starting netminder for a sixth attackers. Fortunately for the visitors, Drakkar successfully scored the tying goal as Gabriel Fortier completed worked by teammates Tyler Hylland and Chekhovich at 18:21.

Ending the third periods on power play Baie-Comeau began the overtime playing four-on-three but were unable to score. Quebec also got their chance with a four-on-three power play with 50 seconds remaining. They weren’t able to score either.

Finally Baie-Comeau got the edge as Nathan Legare was the only player scoring giving Drakkar a 6-5 win.

“I will tip my hat off to the Remparts,” answered Baie-Comeau head coach Martin Bernard. “They played a hell of a game, their work ethic was a one, they were engaged, they were committed, and they really played a very good game.”

“I didn’t know where we were, we looking for them, we were asked ourselves if they weren’t in the other building aside in the Quebec Colisee. They weren’t in the right locker room,” continued the head coach Bermard visibly not satisfied of his players efforts.

“On first timeout, it was 2-0 for us and I told the players the game was ten minutes old, we didn’t played up to what we should, everything is wrong, we are lucky to lead 2-0. We need to go back to the basic, it took lots of times before we played better.”

With the score 5-5, entering overtime period, already making 23 saves on 28 shots after regulation time, Quebec netminder Antony Morrone was perfect in the extra period stopping all Baie-Comeau 12 shots.

“After first period, I would like to get my game back, it went much better in second periods I made several saves, I got bad bounce in first but I get back in my bubble, I played much better in second and third periods.” Quebec goaltender Anthony Morrone after the game. “I got lots of shots in overtime, I was bit tired,” continued the goaltender.

Even though Quebec lost in shootout, Quebec head coach Patrick Roy wasn’t mad after the game, “Definitely, it was a hell of a game,” Quebec head coach Patrick Roy said. “Fans coming to see that game, got for their money, it was an exciting game for the get go until the end. We got our scoring chances, we also has had our chance to win that game, what I’m proud of was when we trailed 0-2, we came back, we also came back when we trailed 2-4, we even took the lead 5-4, I have to give lots of credit to my players, they worked very hard.”