Four-goal third sends Rimouski over Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Losing to Quebec Saturday in Quebec, Rimouski scored four times in third period leading them to a 6-2 win against Quebec. Tyler Boland led Oceanic offensive ending the game with five points with a goal and four assists.

Dominating first half of opening period in shots on goal (8-3) Quebec saw Rimouski goaltender Alexandre Lagace closing the door on Derek Gentile, Yanick Turcotte and Jonathan Bourcier.

While the first half of the opening period clearly belonged to the visitor, Rinouski played much better as the initial period progress. Dominant in first period, Oceanic netminder saw his opponent goalie at the other end making key save also to prevent the Oceanic to break the ice.

Fans in the Financial Sun Life Colisee thought their team had broken the ice in second portion of the first period but as Referee Marc-Andre Lavoie lose the eyes sight of the puck he blown his whistle stopping the play. So the score remained 0-0 after first twenty minutes of play.

On Quebec side Callum Booth made saves on Louis-Philippe Denis, Dylan Montcalm, Alexandre Gisse (twice), Hunter Moreau (twice) and Tyler Boland.

Ending first period playing five-on-four following first penalty of the game to Quebec forward Jonathan Bourcier, Rimouski began the second one also with the man up playing much better taking the initiative on the play. Quebec netminder kept Oceanic from the scoreboard with several other key saves notably against Daniel Hardie and Dominic Cormier.

Quebec broke the ice as Captain Matthew Boucher redirect a shot from Philipp Kurashev behind Rimouski netminder Lagace at 6:39.

Rimouski replied less than eight minutes later with Denis Mikhnin 12th of the season beating Quebec goalie Booth on his left side with 5:33 remaining into the middle frame.

Oceanic netminder made another key save on Quebec two-on-one breakaway with Derek Gentile and Jesse Sutton. Lagace stopped Gentile shot keeping the score tied 1-1.

Rimouski took the lead with 1:23 to play in second period. Along the board Antoine Dufort-Plante made great pass to Tyler Boland beating Quebec goalie Booth with backhanded shot on Quebec netminder blocker side.

Oceanic defenseman Artem Maltsev and Quebec forward Mikael Robidoux were ejected from the game for staged fight.

Trailing by one, third period being the best one for Quebec the visitor tied the game only 13 seconds into the third period. Pressured by Quebec forward Kurashev Oceanic defenseman Alexandre D’Astous lose the puck. Driving to the net Boucher who already got Quebec first goal scored his second of the night bringing both team back to square one.

Usually playing their best hockey in the third period since the season began Quebec saw Rimouski replying with three goals in 2:21 first two inside 25 seconds and last one in shorthanded situation taking control of the rest of the period leading to 6-2 win as they took their revenge against their arch-rival.

Using Quebec defenseman Alexandre Drapeau as screen, Antoine Dufort-Plante gave back the lead beating Quebec goalie Booth with a wrist shot for his eighth of the season at 2:22.

Just 25 seconds later, Daniel Hardie on great pass from Dylan Montcalm beat Remparts netminder with a wrist shot at 2:47.

Taking advantage of a confusion in Quebec defensive zone Alexandre Grise took a loose puck in front of Quebec goal scoring Rimouski 5th goal at 4:43.

Playing in shorthanded situation following a penalty to Dylan Montcalm, the Oceanic scored their 6th goals in the game. Making first save on Tyler Boland first shot unable to keep the rebound Booth saw Carson MacKinnon taking the rebound and score his 7th of the year at 9:14 of the third period.

For Quebec it was their first loss in last five games and only their 11th of the season in regulation time.

Quebec will return in action on Thursday night in Acadie-Bathurst facing the Titan.

Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday

Moncton 0 vs. Saint John 4

Charlottetown 3 vs. Shawinigan 2

Sherbrooke 5 vs. Chicoutimi 3

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