QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — With 13 games remaining to regular season trailing by four points against the Drummondville Voltigeurs in last place giving access to playoff Gatineau plays with great determination and wins 7-3 against the Quebec Remparts. With that victory combined with Val-d’Or wins over Drummondville Gatineau narrowed the margin to only two points. Louik Marcotte with three goals was the best offensive player on Benoit Groulx’s team.
In an interesting first period Gatineau was the first team to break the ice with only 36 seconds into the first period. The Russians combination united their effort for first Olympiques goal. Making first save on Valentin Zykov shot, the Quebec goaltender saw the puck coming right on Yakov Trenin stick who beat Zachary Fucale top corner on left side.
Playing on shorthanded situation following the penalty to teammate Guillaume Gauthier Quebec center Kurt Etchegary missed visitor first great scoring opportunity as he missed the net on breakaway.
Quebec came back to tie the game playing on five-on-three power plays following consecutive penalty to Gatineau center Alexandre Alain and Defenseman Alexandre Carrier.
Getting a double men advantages for 1:50 Quebec did not wasted their time as Guillaume Gauthier redirect a shot from defenseman Nikolas Brouillard at 6:25. Still playing on power play for 1:12 on second penalty the one giving to Carrier the visitor wasn’t able to score a second times.
Being 0-in-1 with a man advantage Gatineau regained the lead scoring their first power play on their second opportunities. Making first move down on his knees Quebec goaltender has been beaten top corner on left side by Gatineau veteran forward Louik Marcotte with 12:37 to play in the opening period.
Gatineau thought they had scored a third goal their second in third power plays opportunities when Alex D’ostie beat Quebec netminder. But after further review referee Jean-Philippe Sylvain waved off the goal due to goalie interference with 7:02 to play.
Quebec came back with next two goals in span of 4:13. Defenseman Ryan Graves slapshot from left face-off circle left no chance to former Quebec netminder Francois Brassard tying the score 2-2.
Quebec took the lead for first time in the game with only 44.4 seconds remaining to the first period. A perfect tic-tac-toe play between Dmytro Timashov, Kurt Etchegary led to Adam Erne 35th goals of the regular season as he only had to push the puck in almost empty net.
Trailing by one after twenty minutes of play Benoit Groulx’s team came back in middle frame being the only team to get on scoreboard with four goals on 14 shots.
Tommy Veilleux brought both teams back to square one with Gatineau third goal with only 1:16 gone on the clock.
Acquired in last trading period in the QMJHL from Victoriaville Yan Pavel Laplante gave back the lead to home team with his 15th goal of the regular season at 5:38.
Jake Coughler gave Gatineau two goals lead at 8:05 chasing by the same time the Quebec starting netminder Zachary Fucale who allowed 5 goals on 24 shots. Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher send Callum Booth who was in net the night before in Victoriaville.
Olympiques veteran left winger Marcotte welcomed Booth with Gatineau sixth goal as he surprised the Quebec netminder under left arm with 1:03 remaining in second period.
Marcotte completed his hat trick pushing the puck in an empty net with 1:44 remaining in the game, Valentin Zykov and Trenin got the assist.
Quebec showed a record of 4-12 as they trailed to begin the third period.
Quebec will return home playing their only game inside the Pee-wee tournament hosting the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday
Cape Breton 6 vs. Charlottetown 2
Saint John 2 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 3 (overtime)
Shawinigan 6 vs. Halifax 5
Rouyn-Noranda 4 vs. Sherbrooke 5
Moncton 4 vs. Chicoutimi 3
Val-d’Or 5 vs. Drummondville 4
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.