Charlottetown push Quebec to brink of elimination

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —With the series being tied 2-2 before playing game five, the winner of that pivotal game five takes great option on the series. Offering his best performance in the series up to now, Charlottetown goaltender Matthew Welsh couldn’t asked for better time to offer his best performance making 41 saves out of Quebec 42 shots helping his team to win third games in that series by the score of 3-1 over Quebec.

After scoreless first period, Charlottetown opened the scoring for a fourth times in last five games in the quarterfinal series scoring first goal in middle frame. As Quebec tied gam five with only 1:19 gone in third periods, Charlottetown came back with next two goals last one in an empty to win second game in last three in front of their fans. Winning already first game in the series in Quebec, Charlottetown return to Quebec leading the quarterfinal series 3-1 and will have the possibility of eliminating Quebec in front of their fans in Videotron Center.

Charlottetown got the momentum in the beginning of the game making Quebec goaltender Antoine Samuel to make first six saves in the game.

Quebec got the first chance on power play. Going 1-in-19 in the series, 0-in-last 16 power play chances, Quebec wasn’t able to get real scoring chance excepted for center Jesse Sutton going on breakaway but Charlottetown goaltender Matthew Welsh made the save with his blocker.

Quebec loose for major portion of first period the service of left winger Louis-Filip Cote following hit by Islanders right winger Sam King. Cote came back with several minute in opening period wearing full face after been hit in the face.

Charlottetown also got first chance with their power play. Going 3-in-11 in the series they also weren’t able to put the puck behind Quebec veteran netminder as Brandon Clavelle hit the goal post.

Charlottetown got the edge 12-10 in shots on goal.

After scoreless first period, Charlottetown opened the scoring first goal in the game for the fourth times in last five games. Going 0-in-2 in the game and 3-in-12 in the series Islanders broke the ice on their third power play opportunities. Derek Gentile made great pass to Nikita Alexandrov beating Quebec goalie Samuel over his right shoulder on their 19th shots on goal at 12:53.

Going 0-in-3 in the game 1-in-22 in the series Quebec got a fourth chances with a man up, but again playing his best game in that series, Matthew Welsh kept the door closed to preserve his team lead.

Being perfect on first Quebec 26 shots he faced, Charlottetown netminder Welsh got no chance on Quebec defenseman Thomas Dajcar shot been redirect by center Jesse Sutton beating Islanders goalie between his pads with 1:19 seconds gone in third periods.

Both teams played very tight third periods as it reflect the image of the series, but with 5:37 remaining in the game, Charlottetown regained the lead for second times in the game. Islanders defenseman Brandon Clavelle shot from the blue line found his way to Quebec netminder beating him on his left side.

Trailing by one in the game, with quarterfinal series being tied 2-2, with next two games in Quebec, Quebec head coach decided to pull his starting netminder in favor of sixth attackers.

Quebec right winger Pascal Laberge hit the post to Charlottetown goalie right side with 1:29 remaining, but like in other games in that series an empty net goal his fifth of the series by Keith Getson assured Charlottetown third wins in that series, pushing Quebec on verge of elimination in front of their own fans on Monday night.

Game six of quarterfinal series between Charlottetown and Quebec will transfer in Quebec next Monday night.

No other quarterfinal were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday.

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