QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —In a 2-3-2 format quarterfinal series first two games for the one that begins the series at home is very important. Picking up by most expert to win the series in six or seven games, Quebec lost first battle but not necessarily the war. Being tied 2-2 after forty minutes, Charlottetown was very opportunistic scoring four third period’s goals to win game one of their QMJHL quarterfinal 6-2. Scoring Charlottetown tying goal in second periods, Keith Getson came back in the third scoring two more getting his first hat trick of the playoff series in Islanders victory.
“Obviously coming out on the road we were hoping to win one of the first two games,” answered Charlottetown head coach Jim Hulton. “We were happy to win first one, we were opportunistic, we are excited to win first one cause we know we have to be better, I think we gone a be better. I think both teams were nervous at the beginning of the game but usually it was good for both teams.” 
For one, Quebec veteran goaltender was the first to recognize he should have made several more saves to keep his team in the game especially in third periods.
“We didn’t played so badly after two periods, it was to us to come out stronger in third periods, Lots of players made individual mistakes me included, I should made one or two more saves that could make the difference in the third. But it’s done, we can’t change anything, we have to concentrate on tomorrow.” Quebec goaltender Antoine Samuel said.
“I gave them credit it was great shots,” continued the veteran netminder. “But as veteran netminder it was my last year in the league so I have to make couple saves that will keep the game tight. I’m not hitting myself to the head but I’m well aware that tomorrow I must make those saves.”
For Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher, it wasn’t the kind of game he expected his team to play. “I’m not sure, that wasn’t the way we used to play, we are in playoff, I might get in the cliché, it was a game we have to forget for sure, we have another tomorrow and we must not repeat that.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said about the first game. 
“I did not like our energy level, our implication, we did it two weeks ago in Val-d’Or, in Rouyn-Noranda, we did it everywhere in last month, but today I can’t explained what happened in the third.” Continued Boucher.
Charlottetown opened the scoring on their first shot on goal with 14:10 to go in the opening period. Sullivan Sparkes precise shot beat Quebec goaltender Antoine Samuel over his right shoulder.
Beneficiary of first power play in the quarterfinal series Quebec was unable to take advantage of it. Quebec tied the game at even strength later in the period with 3:02 remaining in the opening period.
Coming to Quebec on last trading period in QMJHL on January 2nd with Matthew Groutchy in return of Derek Gentile and third round selection Gregor MacLeod came to aunt his former team as he scored Quebec first goal to tie the score 1-1. MacLeod wrist shot from the slot beat Charlottetown goaltender Matthew Welsh on his right side. Pascal Laberge and Philipp Kurashev got the assist.
Like in first period, both teams played very tight game not wanting to make the mistake that led to key goal on opposing team. Already going 0-in-2 with a man advantage Quebec took advantaged of their third opportunities to take the lead for first time in the game. Quebec defenseman Sam Dunn wrist shot from the blue line surprised Islanders netminder Welsh low on glove side at 11:35.
Getting their first power play opportunity following a penalty to Quebec center Philipp Kurashev Charlottetown tied game 2-2 on Keith Getson first goal of the series. Islander’s center wrist shot from the slot found his way to beat Remparts netminder Samuel on right side at 13:57 in second periods.
Visitor regained the lead with second goal of the game by Keith Getson, as he beat Quebec veteran netminder over his left shoulder with a wrist shot from the slot with 14:36 to go I the third periods.
Traded to Charlottetown at the beginning of January former Quebec Remparts forward Derek Gentile scored Islanders insurance goal at 8:09 it was the second goals in less than three minutes giving two goal leads to Charlottetown.
Sam King came back for the visitor with what has been consider the back breaking goal beating Quebec goalie high on right side at 14:24.
Trailing by three, Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher decided to pull his veteran netminder sending sixth attackers in hope his team can cut Charlottetown lead. Unfortunately for the 10016 fans reunited in the Videotron center Islanders center completed his first hat trick of 2017-18 QMJHL playoff scoring Charlottetown sixth goals in an empty net at 18:40.
“We are happy to come up on top,” answered former Quebec Remparts Derek Gentile who scored his team fourth goals. “As a group we can play lot better than that. It wasn’t our best stretch by any mean, but there is another good team on the other side so we expect to see more from them too.” 
“Definitely when we are on the road, nothing wrong being tied going on the third, the position we were in, we worked hard and will continue to work hard all series long.”
Game two of that quarterfinal series will be Sunday afternoon in Videotron Center.
Seven other quarterfinal series were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday
Moncton 1 vs. Rimouski 2 (overtime) (series tied 1-1)
Chicoutimi 4 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 0 (series tied 1-1)
Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Halifax 5 (Halifax lead 2-0)
Cape Breton 5 vs. Drummondville 4 (third overtime) (series tied 1-1)
Gatineau 2vs. Victoriaville 3 (Victoriaville lead 2-0)
Sherbrooke 2Rouyn-Noranda 6 (series tied 1-1)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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