QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Leading after one period, Drummondville saw Quebec come back tying the game 1-1 with 14.4 seconds left in the middle frame. After scoreless third period, Nicolas Guay scores on the only Drummondville shot in overtime winning in Quebec to sweep the home and home series in the rivalry week by the score of 2-1.
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“We expected Quebec to bounce back after the loss in Wednesday’s game,” answered Drummondville head coach Dominique Ducharme. “We were on the road, our young players did very well, we did not play with as much consistency as we did the other night, it is to learn to play on the road. They played better on the other side. It was a game that could go either sides when you go in overtime.” Continued Voltigeurs head coach Ducharme.
“We were satisfied, we grew up toward each games whether it is a win or lose, and we grew up tonight.”
Playing his first game with his new team wearing Quebec uniform after been waved off in the Ontario Hockey League Luke Kirwan score only Quebec goal in the game in his second game with Remparts.
“Obviously you want to win but at least we get a point, it felt good to score my first goal here in front of this fans,” the former Flint Firebird player in the OHL said. “It was awesome, it was great atmosphere, and it was really fun to be part of. It was always a relief, a new team, new city, to help to contribute but tonight we hoped to win and get the two points.
For Quebec captain Matthew Boucher, he was the first to admit his team gave a better collective effort.
“Yes I think we gave a better effort collectively, it showed we wanted to get off much better than our last game on Wednesday. That is what we did but we did not get the two points. “Quebec left winger and captain Matthew Boucher.
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Winning their first eight games in the regular season Quebec loses last three in a row, would that began to play in your head a reporter asked? “No not necessarily. We played the right way for sixty minutes, if you continued to play like we did tonight we will wins our part of games.” Quebec captain Boucher said.
Drummondville opened the scoring with only 1:55 gone in the initial period. Nicolas Guay, in a two-on-one breakaway, made pass to Cedric Desruisseaux beating Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau on right side. For voltigeur left-winger it was his third of the regular season.
While Quebec welcome back defenseman Christian Huntley in the lineup after having served seven games suspension, the team had lost two other players due to suspension.
Suspended for two games for charging Mikael Robidoux will be eligible to return in the lineup this Sunday in Blainville-Boisbriand. As far as Remparts forward Olivier Mathieu he missed the game against the Voltigeurs for a hit to the head. Mathieu will also be eligible to return on Sunday afternoon against the Armada.
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Drummondville left winger Desruisseaux got another great scoring chance. Successfully going between Quebec defensemen Voltigeur left winger partially missed his shot saved by Quebec netminder.
Quebec also got great scoring opportunity Dereck Gentile, Matthew Boucher and Anthony Wojcik all got great opportunities but on each occasions Drummondville netminder Rodrigue made the save keeping Quebec off the scoring board.
Going 1-in-4 in the game after two periods of play Quebec was 8-in-66 since the opening game of 2017-18 regular season.
Been 0-in3 with a man advantage, Quebec tied the game on their fourth power play opportunities. Signed as free agent after not been claimed by any OHL team left winger Luke Kirwan scored his first QMJHL goal with 14.4 remaining in the second periods. Kirwan wrist shot from the slot left no chance to Voltigeurs netminder.
After scoreless third periods, the three against three play offered great action, after Drummondville netminder Olivier Rodrigue stopped all Quebec three chances in overtime, Voltigeurs ended the game scoring on their only shot in the fourth periods taken by Nicolas Guay 2:39 into the overtime.
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“You were there in Drummondville, we played a better game tonight that is the kind of game it was tight game where Dereck (Baribeau) can make the difference. We worked, I liked our work ethic, I didn’t like our first but in second, we were very good and also in the third, we got our chances, we wish the goal scored by Kirwan will help us on power play maybe unlock our power play and rest of the offence. In third we got chances likewise in overtime. They are a good skating team and work hard and Rodrigue has been excellent tonight.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said.
Already playing without two players due to suspensions, Quebec loses another one in first period after playing only two shift in first period. Defenseman Andrew Pico didn’t came back to the rest of the game. The coach said,” it was upper body injury and it might not look good. We will be able to tell more about it tomorrow.”
Quebec will end his weekend going back on the road on Sunday afternoon visiting Blainville-Boisbriand facing the Armada.
Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night
Chicoutimi 2 vs. Moncton 3
Rimouski 5 vs. Sherbrooke 2
Baie-Comeau 2 vs. Victoriaville 3 (shootout)
Halifax 4 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 2
Acadie-Bathurst 1 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 4
Gatineau 2 vs. Val-d’Or 3
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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