Chicoutimi opens weekend with shutout over Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Coming from a 4-3 win against Shawinigan on last Tuesday Chicoutimi came back in front of their fans hosting arch-rival Quebec Remparts to open the weekend. Dominating 50-16 in shots on goal the Sagueneens got the best against their opponent winning by shutout 6-0. Defenseman Frederic Allard earns first stars of the game with 2 goals 1 assist. Out for major part of the season Chicoutimi goaltender Julio Billia registered his second shutout of the regular season stopping all Quebec 16 shots.

Chicoutimi opened the scoring in front of their fans with 12:03 to play in the first period. After making first save on Jeremy Groleau, Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev, didn’t have any chance on Frederic Allard, who took the rebound scoring his 10th of the regular season.

Dominating 17-3 in shots on goal, Chicoutimi took control of the first period not only in shots department but also on main scoreboard adding two more goals in less than two minutes, before the siren sound has been heard.

Already having Sagueneens first goal Frederic Allard came back later in the opening period with his second of the game. Beneficiary of lots of traffic, defenseman slap shot went through skates before going in leaving no chance for second time to Quebec netminder with 3:32 left to play.

Chicoutimi came back with 1:48 remaining with Joey Ratelle goal. Taking advantage of free space left in front of him, the left winger went between Quebec defensemen as he fell on his knees beat Quebec goalie with a backhanded shot scoring his 39th of the year.

Chicoutimi domination continued in middle frame as they added three more goals two in 36 seconds and two out of three wit help of the power play.

Already been 0-in-1 having their only chance in first period, Chicoutimi scored their fourth goals playing five-on-four. A bad bounce from the board turned to home team advantage as German Rubtsov scored his 9th of the season, beating Kiselev with a backhand shots 8:12 into second period.

Sagueneens replied 36 seconds later with their fifth goal in the game as Antoine Marcoux scored his 6th of the year. Zachary Lavigne and Mark Bzowey got the assists at 8:48.

Going 1-for-2 with a man advantage in the game, Chicoutimi add another goal their second one on three opportunities. Brandon Hamelin scored Sagueneens sixth goal pushing the puck behind goal line with 44.5 seconds remaining in the middle frame. Alexandre Drapeau was in the box for Quebec. Chicoutimi dominated 35-10 in shots on goal.

Quebec opened the third getting great scoring opportunity as Samuel Hould drove the net getting breakaway chance but Julio Billia closed the door keeping his chance of shutting out his opponent. Back from the injury list Igor Larionov jr, Louis Filip Cote, Derek Gentile and Jesse Sutton got the other opportunities in first forty minutes of play.

Quebec left after the game direction Baie-Comeau for their confrontation with Drakkar on Saturday afternoon.

Quebec will return in action on Saturday afternoon playing in Baie-Comeau facing the Drakkar.

Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night

Halifax 1 vs. Cape Breton 4

Rimouski 3 vs. Saint John 9

Gatineau 5 vs. Sherbrooke 2

Moncton 1 vs. Baie-Comeau 7

Val-d’Or 0 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 7

Drummondville 6 vs. Shawinigan 5

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