Big win for Victoriaville over Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Coming into Quebec City strong of five consecutive win, winning only one game in previous five meetings against Quebec, Victoriaville returned home with 4-1 win against Quebec breathing much better as they have now three points ahead the Remparts with one game ahead to play over Quebec. Vitalii Abramov ended his game with one goal, three assists earning the first stars of the game.

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Quebec got on board first 41 seconds in. Stealing the puck from Victoriaville right winger Jimmy Huntington in neutral zone Quebec center Philipp Kurashev wrist shot left no chance to Tigres goaltender Tristan Cote-Cazenave on his right side.

Victoriaville tied the score on their first shot on net. Tigres left defenseman Dominic Cormier’s shot from the blue line surprised Quebec goaltender Antoine Samuel over his left shoulder 3:30 into the opening period. Vitalii Abramov and Felix Cote got the assists.

Victoriaville too the lead with 4:51 remaining in the first period. Missing first shot on net Dominic Cormier made pass to Vitalii Abramov beating Quebec netminder with backhand shot.

Visitor took a two-goal lead on a two-on-one breakaway, Jimmy Huntington made perfect pass to Felix Lauzon who only had to put the puck in empty net for his 10th of the regular season with 3:29 remaining in middle frame.

Victoriaville added a fourth goal to their lead as Ivan Kosorenkov precise shot left no chance to Quebec netminder on his right side at 12:04 of the third period signing a second victory in six meetings during the 2017-18 regular season.

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As it was their last confrontations in the regular season some messages were left on both sides beginning with an altercation between Maxime Comtois and Quebec defenseman Andrew Pico.

“Yeah I think we have bitter rivalry during the season,” answered Quebec defenseman Andrew Pico after the game. “We always have battle pretty hard it is competitive game so some history between us obviously it goes through the season and in playoff so we have to be ready for some playoff stuff. We fought pretty hard tonight both teams wanted it. Things get going that is what happened I guess.”

For Victoriaville head coach Louis Robitaille he was very happy his team get out of the Videotron center with the two points especially since his team came in Quebec with only one point ahead the Remparts.

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“We have good first shift we missed the goal twice they got first goal on first shot so I said to myself oh boy, not again here. But I liked the way we regroup, we played a great hockey game overall and we get big two points like you said.” Victoriaville head coach Lois Robitaille said near his team locker room.

“You have had lots of animosity? Question the coach, in answering a question from reporter, no they talked a lots,” referring to some of skirmish at the end of the game. “If we didn’t hate them before the game, I think we hate them now,” continued Tigres head coach Robitaille. “It bother me again, said the Victoriaville head coach Robitaille said referring to Abramov celebrations after he scored visitors second goals. The number 42 (Quebec defenseman Andrew Pico) talked a lot maybe he talked French English and Russian cause he talked with everyone. He talked to our players that is what we didn’t needed.” Tigres head coach Robitaille said.

“I began to believe Serge Beausoleil (Rimouski head coach) a bit, I read your newspapers last year he talked lots about him I didn’t remembered what he told but he talked a lot to our players.”

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On Quebec side Remparts head coach praised his team efforts in tonight game. “We really began the game well, we hit the post at several occasions when we got chances, I was bit afraid before the game we didn’t hide it was really grueling weeks last week, maybe guys were tired but they gave us all they had,” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said.

Quebec will go on the road for next two games with first stop in Drummondville facing the Voltigeurs on next Friday.

One other game was on QMJHL schedule on Tuesday night

Drummondville 3 vs. Baie-Comeau 4 (overtime)

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