Face off in Quebec defensive zone between Gatineau center Samuel Tremblay and Quebec center Bronson Beaton photo by Serge Poulin
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Already leading the series 3-0 Gatineau continued the way they were to play taking a 3-0 lead in the game, but giving all they got Quebec came back cutting visitor lead to only one goal in third period. But a second goal by Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau second goal of the game sealed Quebec fate and complete the sweep winning game four 4-2. Vitalii Abramov scored first two Gatineau goals in the game.
“When we begin a series we never think of sweeping a team, but they took decisions at Christmas that they didn’t have any choice to take and found themselves in hard second half of the regular season. At 2-0 in the series you began to think but after the first two games we played against them even if we have the little edge, we expected a third games like the one we played tonight. But after the third game for sure we began to think about it.” Gatineau head coach Benoit Groulx.
“Tip my hat off to the Remparts because tonight they played much better than us and since Philippe Boucher came here in Quebec he never has had easy things, he always works very hard, he had to build a team for the memorial cup and had to take decision to rebuild his team the year after. But without a doubt he paid his dues in Rimouski and Remparts are in the right track.” Continued Olympiques head coach Groulx.
Gatineau open the scoring 3:19 into the first period. Missing the net, the shot by Gatineau defenseman Gabriel Bilodeau, came right back on Vitalii Abramov, his shot slowly went behind Quebec goalie Evgeny Kiselev.
Face off in Quebec defensive zone between Gatineau center Samuel Tremblay and Quebec center Bronson Beaton photo by Serge Poulin
Abramov came back with 6:30 remaining in the opening period with his second of the game his fifth of the playoff. Been patient the right winger slide the puck under Quebec netminder who has been already on his knees.
Quebec best scoring opportunities in first period came from the stick of defenseman Raphael Maheux and center Sean O’Brien, in both times Olympiques goaltender Mark Grametbauer made the saves.
Quebec opens second period with their third chances as Olivier Garmeau made great pass to teammates Yanick Turcotte but again Grametbauer was there to make the save.
Quebec got another great chance to break the ice and get on scoreboard with a first goal. A two -on–one breakaway with Olivier Garneau and Colby Tower. Tower shot had been blocked by Olympiques young 17 years old blocker.
Gatineau adds a third goals to their lead with 5:41 remaining in middle frame. Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau wrist shot from the slot beat Quebec goalie on glove side.
Quebec breaks the ice with their first goal in the game cutting Gatineau leads to two goals with 1:37 left on scoreboard. Playing one of his best game since he is with the team Olivier Garneau wrist shot beat Mark Grametbauer high on right side.
Been 0-in-13 in the series and 0-in-1 in the game Quebec got a second chance to reduce the visiting team leads but missed it. But the home team continued to work and get a second goal cutting Olympiques leads to only one goal with the goal scored by captain Bronson Beaton redirecting the shot by Olivier Garneau at 6:20.
Gatineau left winger Gabryel Paquin Boudreau photo by Serge Poulin
With Vitalii Abramov already registering two goals in the game Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau scored his second of the game in an empty net sealing Quebec fate for the QMJHL playoff being eliminated in four straight games.
“We missed some opportunities but Olivier Garmeau did very well job in each of the beginning of the period, to give us the momentum. In first period we have had hard time to keep it, in second we played very great period and in third we gave all we got, but it is a great hockey team on the other side. That is what we asked to our young kids to give us all they got. We didn’t put them in easy situation after Christmas they didn’t decided we have had to rebuild the team. That is what I told them in dressing room I thank them to hang and gave all they got.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said after his team been eliminated.
For veteran center Alexandre Sills he was proud of his team effort in three of the four games of the first round series.
Gatineau defenseman Gabriel Bilodeau plays his first game in the seris photo by Serge Poulin
“We played well,” answered the veteran center Alexandre Sills in front of reporters after the game. “Sure it was doll we played three games were we came very near of winning, Gatineau is very great team, in other games if we had scored sooner in the game maybe it could be different game. I’m proud of what we did tonight, we did our best, I will remembered my last game as a game where we did our very best.” Continued the veteran who came in trade from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
“I think we realized we had to give everything we got especially for our three 20 years old veteran to give them a chance to continue to play. These guys were there for us all years sure it wasn’t an easy season we have had lots of tough times but they were always there to show to all other guys the way to go. They always worked hard,” Quebec center Olivier Garneau after the game.
Game five of first round series between Gatineau and Quebec goes back to Gatineau on Friday April 1.
Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday night
Saint John 3 vs. Acadie Bathurst 6
Rimouski 3 vs. Charlottetown 4
Rouyn-Noranda 7 vs. Drummondville 3
Shawinigan 3 vs. Sherbrooke 2
Moncton 2 vs. Victoriaville 4
Val-d’Or 2 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 3
Cape Breton 4 vs. Chicoutimi. 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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