Costly victory in Sherbrooke for Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Winning two out of three confrontations this year Quebec came to Sherbrooke scoring all the needed goals in first period leading them to 3-2 win against Sherbrooke. Already playing without several players notably Jesse Sutton who has been out the last Remparts 14 games, Quebec lost two other players leaving the game due to injuries. Matthew Boucher left the game after colliding Phoenix left winger Julien Pelletier in first portion of opening period. Shutting out Sherbrooke last week in Quebec, Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau also had to leave the game after what appeared to be a groin injury.

In the first period, dominated by Sherbrooke in shots on goal 16-8, Quebec came out leading by one.

Shutout in three of last six games one by Dereck Baribeau in Quebec last week, the visitors broke the ice as Derek Gentile wrist shot went through traffic beating Sherbrooke goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick over his left shoulder at 6:19.

Quebec added a second goal 1:06 later, as Olivier Mathieu on breakaway beat the St-Louis second round selection (59th overall) in 2016 on left side.

Sherbrooke got on the board cutting visiting team lead in half taking advantage of a turnover in slot. Taking a loose puck in the slot Nicolas Poulin who played only his fourth games of the season after been injured in training camp on a knee beat Quebec goaltender Baribeau over his right shoulder at 10:13.

Defending a five-on-three Sherbrooke power play, Quebec right winger Mathieu Ayotte intercepted a pass beat former Quebec defenseman Cody Donaghey before beating Fitzpatrick with 1:40 remaining in the period.

After losing captain Matthew Boucher in a collision against Julien Pelletier to right knee injury, Quebec also saw Quebec netminder leaving the game after what appeared to be a groin injury following a movement to make a save.

Coming in relief of Baribeau, Evgeny Kiselev was beaten by Jason Imbeault with Sherbrooke second goal in the game with six seconds left on the clock. Quebec went back in their locker room leading 3-2 after first twenty minutes.

If first period saw the fans coming to see their favorites getting action with five goals scored, only two by the home team, the second periods saw several Phoenix players getting good scoring chances, but on every occasions Kiselev, who came in relief of Dereck Baribeau, who had to leave after what appeared a left leg groin injury, close the door against Felix Robert, Patrice Demuy, Nicolas Poulin, Luke Green and Julien Pelletier protecting Quebec one goal lead after two periods of play.

Trailing by one, Sherbrooke dominated the third period (14-7) getting several chances to get the tying goal but on each occasions Quebec netminder made the needed saves to preserve his team one goal lead.

Quebec next game will be on Saturday night visiting Victoriaville.

Two other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday

Saint John 3 vs. Acadie Bathurst 2

Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Victoriaville 1

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