Quebec left winger Anthony Duclair will be key player for Remparts photo by Serge Poulin
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Coming into Quebec to face the Remparts, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles took the first game of the series, 3-2. Scoring the first two goals in the game and in that series the visitor never look behind and came in Quebec to win game one placing Quebec in uncomfortable position for Saturday night’s game two. Scoring Cape Breton third goal Evgeny Svechnikov came out with the game-winning goal.
Cape Breton opened the scoring with a long shot from the blue line by defenseman Mathew Nosella beating Quebec goaltender Callum Booth on his right side at 8:42.
Quebec got four chances playing with man up but were unable to put the puck behind Screaming Eagles goaltender Alexandre Belanger. Quebec dominate shots on goal 10-5.
The visitors added a second goal to their lead with Dillon Boucher who saw his shot deflected by teammate Phelix Martineau beating Quebec goalie on his left side with 15:06 to play.
Quebec replied with their first goal 26 seconds later with Adam Erne scoring his first of the playoffs, beating Belanger with one-timer.
Evgeny Svechnikov gave back two goals lead to the visitor with a wrist shot beating Quebec netminder to his left side with 5:55 remaining to the middle frame.
Quebec goaltender Callum Booth was the starting goaltender for Remparts photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec tried to come back first by cutting Cape Breton leads to only one goal with Vladimir Tkachev with 6:22 remaining but it wasn’t enough as Quebec ended losing first game of their series.
With the format 2-3-2 due to the long distance between the two teams winning first game on the road was really important but Screaming Eagles head coach seem very calm after seeing his team winning first game on the road.
“I think to win a series it takes four wins,” Cape Breton head coach Marc-Andre Dumont said after the game. “We pick up first one now we will concentrate on next one.
Shutting out Quebec on their power play 0-in-6 Cape Breton helped their cause. “Yes we were great on our penalty killing but we used it too much,” Dumont continued. “We took intensity penalties and emotion one we will have to work on it.”
“Since last trading period in the QMJHL we don’t have any complex we show to play each night. Tomorrow will be much harder.” Said the Screaming Eagles head coach Marc-Andre Dumont.
Cape Breton right winger Marcus Hins photo by Serge Poulin
On Quebec side, players didn’t seem shaky after losing first game. For one Adam Erne said, “We can’t berry the puck we just I think we were terrible, we will have to put more puck to the net and bare down our chances.”
“Sure everybody got butterflies,” admitted Erne when he was asked if players were nervous tonight we are in playoff but it wasn’t an excused. I’m sure they were nervous too on the other side, it is playoff but it is not an excuse.”
Callum Booth has been designated to begin the first game instead of Zachary Fucale for game one. “I really like to win so it was very deceiving but now that this game is over just taking the positive and prepare ourselves for tomorrow,” said the Quebec goaltender.
Having lose the first game Quebec netminder do not feel pressure. “Don’t think we feel pressure we do not concentrate on the other three games in Cape Breton, we concentrate ourselves on tomorrow game and I think everyone in locker room will be ready.”
For Quebec head coach it wasn’t the best scenario but executions seem to be the main reason why his team trailed 0-1 in the QMJHL first playoff round. “For sure it break the momentum,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher as he was asked about his team power plays that ended 0-in-6.
Cape Breton defenseman and former Quebec Remparts Duncan MacIntyre photo by Serge Poulin
“We have had enough power plays to make them paid but the execution wasn’t there even at even strength. They lead 1-0 it’s a fact we will have to play better we are able to play better than that. We did great in third we didn’t played bad, it wasn’t great goal they scores but it was series goals, the kind of goal you need to work to get.” Remparts head coach Philippe Boucher said.
Game two of that series is schedule for Saturday night (tonight) before both teams will take direction of Cape Breton for games three, four and five.
Six other first round series were on QMJHL schedule for this Friday
Gatineau 4 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 1
Charlottetown 8 vs. Sherbrooke 2
Victoriaville 3 vs. Rimouski 4 (overtime)
Rouyn-Noranda 2 vs. Val-d’Or 6
Saint John 1 vs. Baie-Comeau 3
Halifax3 vs. Shawinigan 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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