Chicoutimi opens weekend with victory against arch-rival Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Facing Quebec for first time in the regular season, Chicoutimi got the best winning 5-2 against the Remparts. Earning the first star, center Jeremy Houde ended the game with two assists. Quebec loss could be costly since center Louis-Filip Cote left the game with what might be a leg injury being unable to put any weight on his right leg.

Dominated 13-7 in shots on goal in the initial period, Quebec was the only team to score goal leading 1-0 on the main scoreboard.

Beneficiary of one of two power plays in the first period, going 9-in-53 for 17 percent of efficiency, Quebec broke the ice with Olivier Mathieu beating Chicoutimi goaltender Alexis Shank with a backhand shot at 8:10.

Chicoutimi got their chance too on power play as Quebec center Andrew Coxhead had been sent in the penalty box for delayed of game.

With Quebec number one goaltender Dereck Baribeau staying home, due to what used to be called a boxing fracture, as he hit a wall being frustrated after himself, after been pulled out of a game by his head coach Patrick Roy, Anthony Morrone did very well, particularly, during the only power play opportunity of the Sagueneens.

Second period belonged to Chicoutimi, as they scored three times, last two in span of 1:03 seconds. Sagueneens cut their opponent lead in half with their first goal in the game. Losing the puck to Felix-Antoine Marcotty, Quebec center Xavier Cormier, can’t do anything on Handrix Lapierre wrist shot beating Quebec netminder on his right side at 9:24.

Chicoutimi came back less than five minutes later with two goals in span of 1:03. Making first save on Sagueneens number 88 Samuel Houde, Marrone can’t do anything on Jeremy Fortin beating Quebec netminder on his right side at 14:13.

Chicoutimi adds third goals in middle frame as the beam took advantage of another turnover in Quebec defensive zone. With defensemen Christian Huntley and Dylan Schives being behind their own net, the puck went right in slot where Vladislav Kotkov beat Remparts goalie at 15:16.

Chicoutimi scored their three goals on 10 shots on goal in middle frame dominating 23-14 after two periods of play.

Going 1-in-3 with a man advantage in the game and trailing by two, Quebec came back with the help of their fourth power play opportunities. Found guilty of Interference Sagueneens left winger Zachary Lavigne was in the penalty box when Quebec center Andrew Coxhead tip-in a shot by teammate defenseman Christian Huntley for Coxhead third goal of the year with 10:54 remaining in the third period.

Being in Quebec as one of the four 20-year old, veteran center Jesse Sutton was traded to Chicoutimi in last training camp. Driving to the net getting great pass along the board from teammate Jeremy Diotte the former Quebec center drove the net going on breakaway living no chance to Morrone beating him on his right side at 10:53.

Trailing by two goals for a second time in the game, getting a fifth power play opportunity in the game, Quebec head coach decided to pull his starting netminder for a sixth attackers. Unfortunately, It didn’t played in Quebec favor as Chicoutimi defenseman Jeremy Groleau shot the puck in an empty net sealing Quebec fate with 1:23 remaining in the third period.

Quebec will return in action on Friday playing their second of a three games-in-three nights hosting the Memorial Cup Champion Acadie-Bathurst Titans in Videotron Center.

Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Thursday

Rimouski 3 vs. Cape Breton 4 (overtime)

Val-d’Or 1 vs. Drummondville 4

Acadie-Bathurst 0 vs. Sherbrooke 6

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