QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Showing a record of 0-3-0 in the new season losing against Quebec by shutout, Chicoutimi took their revenge winning 5-4 registering their first victory in 2016-17 against their archrival Quebec. Captain Nicolas Roy the Carolina Hurricane’s 2015 fourth-round selection (96) overall played a key role in the Sagueneens victory with a goal and two assists.
Quebec opened the scoring as Derek Gentile’s shot from behind the net deflected on Sagueneen center Vincent Tremblay-Lapalme before beating Chicoutimi goaltender Xavier Potvin over his left shoulder with only 52 seconds gone.
Chicoutimi was the beneficiary of two power plays without much real danger around the net of Quebec goaltender Callum Booth following penalties to Quebec defenseman Raphael Maheux at 2:32 and Ethan Crossman at 6:17 for hooking.
Quebec was also blanked twice with a man advantage.
While the Saguennens were silent offensively in the opening period, the home team played much better in middle frame dominating 14-7 in shots on goal, scoring twice.
Chicoutimi tied the score 8:39 into middle frame. A backhand pass from Right winger Mark Bzower to Zachary Lavigne left no chance to Quebec goalie Callum Booth as Lavigne one-timer beat Quebec goalie.
Quebec regained the lead 27 seconds later as Quebec defenseman Aaron Dutra slapshot beat Potvin on left side at 9:06.
Chicoutimi center Marc-Antoine Gagne thought he brought both teams back to square one his shot hit the post but couple seconds later it was defenseman Frederic Allard who scored his first goal in the season as he played his first game back from Nashville Predator training camp where he signed his first professional contract. His wrist shot beat Quebec netminder at 12:54 of second period.
Chicoutimi took a two-goal lead as Booth block first save from Nicolas Roy’s shot but the rebound went right back on Ryan Verbeek stick who only had to wrist it behind Quebec goalie at 6:19.
Quebec cut Chicoutimi lead in half as the young 16-year old Andrew Coxhead and Quebec first-round selection (14th overall) in 2016 redirect a shot from defenseman Aaron Dutra for Coxhead first goal of the season at 11:35.
Chicoutimi regained their two goal leads 5-3 as Julien Labbe-Carignan long wrist shot beat Booth high on right side at 17:22.
Quebec came back 23 seconds later as Loui-Philip Cote beat Sagueneens netminder with 2:15 remaining in the third period.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: As we learn before the game the sudden death of Sylvain Boutet the QMJHL chief doctor and Quebec Remparts doctor, we would like on behalf of all Pro Hockey News staff to offer our condolences to the Sylvain Boutet Family and all those who know him and to the Quebec Remparts organization.
Quebec will be back home for three games in next four nights beginning with Wednesday night game as Victoriaville Tigres will be the visitors in Videotron Center.
Five other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Moncton 5 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 4 (overtime)
Halifax 2 vs. Charlottetown 9
Baie-Comeau 1 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 3
Drummondville 3 vs. Rimouski 7
Shawinigan 3 vs. Sherbrooke 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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