QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Winning their last two games, Drummondville authored a 5-4 shootout win over Quebec. Christopher Lalancette made the difference for the home team.
Leading 4-3 with 11.2 seconds remaining to the third period the penalty to Julien Carignan-Labbe proved to be costly to the Voltigeurs as Quebec took advantage of a six-on-four power play after pulling their goaltender. A goal by Guillaume Gauthier, his 19th of the regular season, tied the game 4-4 forcing both teams to play a fourth period.
Quebec got an excellent scoring opportunity in the overtime as Dmytro Timashov and Adam Erne went on two-on-one breakaways. But Erne miss his shot.
Dominating first period Drummondville scored twice in 38 seconds to lead 2-0 after first twenty minutes.
Voltigeurs center Mathieu Sevigny was the first to beat Quebec goaltender Callum Booth as his wrist shot beat Quebec goalie under right arm with only 5:04 gone in the period. Coming from behind Quebec net Alex Barre-Boulet scores Drummondville second goals beating Booth over his left shoulder with backhanded shot.
Quebec though they had opened the scoring when Massimo Carozza beat Voltigeurs goaltender Joe Fleschler under his right arm but referee waved-off the goal after reviewing the play finding it offside at the offensive blueline.
Dominated in first period by Drummondville scoring two goals on 11 shots, Quebec came back in second period answering with better play coming from behind with three goals of their own on nine shots on goal.
Quebec’s fourth line brought offensive contribution with center Zachary Moody breaking the ice with Quebec first goal taking a rebound from teammates Donovan Rehill first shot blocked by Fleschler to score his 7th of the regular season at 11:43.
Former Drummondville player defenseman Nikolas Brouillard came back to haunt his former team as he scored Quebec’s second goal. Being 0-in-1 with a man advantage Brouillard wrist shot beat Voltigeurs netminder.
Brouillard tied his own record by scoring in his ninth consecutive game. Brouillard’s goal was his 9th of the year at 15:57.
Third line center Kurt Etchegary gave the lead to the visitor for first time as Drummondville netminder has been surprised staying deep in his net as last year captain scores his 18th goals of the season at 18:21.
Showing a record of 18-0-1 with the only loss in a shootout when Quebec had the lead after two periods of play the visiting team had some reason to be optimistic to get the victory.
Quebec was able to keep the lead most of the third period until a penalty for high sticking to Adam Erne leading to Drummondville tying goal with second of the game by Barre-Boulet with 7:27 remaining.
The Voltigeurs took the lead for second times in the game when Christophe Lalancette beat Quebec netminder to his left side with only 1:17 left to the third period.
After neither teams were able to put the puck behind other netminder it took the shootout before finally Drummondville get the win.
Christophe Lalancette was the only player to be successful in putting the puck behind Quebec goalie to give 5-4 victory to Drummondville over Quebec.
Quebec next game will be on Wednesday night hosting the Acadie-Bathurst.
Two other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Blainville-Boisbriand 3 vs. Moncton 2 (shootout)
Chicoutimi 2 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 3 (shootout)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.