QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. – Playing first game of a home and home series against Quebec Remparts, Drummondville won the first battle 5-1 on Wednesday night in Marcel-Dionne center. Dawson Mercer (goal and two assists), Nicolas Beaudin one assist and goaltender Olivier Rodrigue making 24 saves on 25 shots were the three stars of the game.
Dominating 13-6 in shots on goal in first period, Drummondville led 2-0 after initial period. Voltigeurs right winger Dawson Mercer was the first to break the ice scoring his fifth of the season, at 7:49. Mercer’s wrist shot beat Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau on his left side.
Scoring 7-in- 57 for 12.3 percent, 2-in-13 in their last game in Rimouski Sunday, Quebec was the beneficiary of the first power play in the game, but they were unable to get a real scoring opportunity.
Drummondville add a second goal in the period at even strength at 16:40. Voltigeurs defenseman Nicolas Beaudin beat Quebec netminder over his right shoulder.
Drummondville also got a chance with a man up in first period but like Quebec, the Voltigeurs weren’t able to get the puck behind Remparts goalie.
Killing two Drummondville power plays in second period, Quebec scored only goal of the middle frame cutting Voltigeurs lead in half.
Making first save on Quebec defenseman Braeden Virtue from the blue line, Drummondville goaltender Rodrigue wasn’t able to do anything on Quebec left winger Olivier Mathieu scoring his third of the year at 11:39. Previously in the period, Quebec missed an excellent opportunity on a two-on-one breakaway, as the shot from Quebec forward, miss the net.
Already been 0-in-1 with a man advantage, Quebec got their second opportunity in the game with 1:09 remaining in the second period. Daven Castonguay went in the box found guilty of hooking.
Serving his seventh and last suspension game Quebec defenseman Christian Huntley will be back in lineup.
Ending second period on power play and beginning the third with 51 second left to Drummonville Daven Castonguay penalty, trailing by one Quebec was unable to tie the game ending the game 0-in-5 on power play.
Dominating most of the game, Drummondville came in the third scoring three other times to confirm their 5-1 victory against Quebec Remparts in first of home and home series. Both teams will face each other again this time in Quebec on Friday.
Left winger Nicolas Desgroseillier his second of the year at 2:27, Cedric Desruisseau also with his second on power play at 5:22 and Robert Lynch with his 9th at 12:03 completed the scoring for Voltigeurs head coach Dominique Ducharme.
Quebec loses two consecutive games for first time in 2017-18 regular season
In the afternoon, Quebec general manager and head coach Philippe Boucher announced the signing of 20 years old free agent Luke Kurwan. The former Ontario Hockey League player played three years in the Flint Firebirds and the Windsor Spitfire. The Syracuse, New-York native had to go through the waiver wire and not been claimed by any of the other OHL team before becoming free agent.
Reporting in time to his new QMJHL team, the 6’02” 220 pound left winger played his first game with the Quebec Remparts in Drummondville facing the Voltigeurs. In three years in the OHL Kurwan cumulated a total of 57 points in 155 games (31g-26a). Already having three 20 years old veteran, Austin Eastman injured (victim of concussion in last Sunday game) has been put on injury list.
Quebec will return home for their next game on Friday night hosting Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday
Chicoutimi 3 vs. Cape Breton 4 (overtime)
Acadie-Bathurst 5 vs. Gatineau 3
Baie-Comeau 2 vs. Rimouski 4
Blainville-Boisbriand 4 vs. Val-d’Or 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.