Gatineau wins first battle, 1-0

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Killing six power plays in the game and ending with the best penalty killing unit in the QMJHL Gatineau got the last word in the first battle of the QMJHL first round series scoring the only goal in the game with 4:50 remaining in the third period. Been the most dangerous player in third period, after seeing Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev stopping his first two shots, Olympiques left winger Vitalii Abramov scores the only goal of that game giving Gatineau a 1-0 wins, to lead the series 1-0 against Quebec Remparts.

Missing their first chance on the power play, Gatineau thought they had drew the first blood in the series between the two teams on their third attempts with man up.

After a first shot missed the net, Vitalii Abramov took the rebound beating Quebec goaltender, Evgeny Kiselev over his left shoulder.

Like in regular season as each goals in game were reviewed the goal has been waved off because of missed offside.

Gatineau dominated first period 11-4 in shots on goal, even if Quebec got a five-on-three power play for 1:05 followed by a five-on-four for 55 seconds. Both teams were 0-in-2 with a man advantages.

Been 0-in-2 on power play in opening period, Quebec got three other chances to send their power play unit, trying to break the ice in middle frame. Ending the regular season as best penalty killing unit in the QMJHL Gatineau successfully killed all three Quebec chances honoring their ranking in regular season.

The Olympiques got several chances at even strength but each times Quebec netminder closed the door keeping the score 0-0 after forty minutes of play.

Getting five chances in first forty minutes of play in that first game of the series with man up, Quebec got sixth one to begin the third period but like in first five Gatineau ending the regular season as best penalty killing unit in QMJHL killed that one too.

Playing at home, the score still 0-0 the Olympiques began to put more pressure on Quebec defensemen and in the Remparts zone forcing some error leading to the only goal in the game that made the difference in favor of the home team.

Gatineau young European Vitalii Abramov has been the most dangerous one taking several shot on Quebec netminder. As Kiselev was perfect in first two periods like his opponent Mathieu Bellemarre, a mistake by young Quebec forward Louis-Filip Cote led to the goal that made the difference I the first game of that series.

As Quebec young left winger Cote tried to get out of his zone, the former Rouyn-Noranda left winger who was acquired in trade that saw Nikolas Brouillard went to the Huskies, lose the puck to Olympiques defenseman Alexandre Carrier. Carrier made pass to Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau who found teammates Abramov beating Quebec goalie high on Kiselev right side with 4:50 remaining.

Quebec head coach decided to pull his starting netminder with less than a minute left to the third period but was unable to score goal.

Game two of First round series between Quebec and Gatineau will be on Saturday night in Robert Guertin arena in Gatineau.

Seven other first round series were on QMJHL playoff on Friday night

Acadie Bathurst 1 vs. Saint John 4 (Saint John lead series 1-0)

Victoriaville 4 vs. Moncton 5 (2nd overtime, Moncton lead series 1-0)

Chicoutimi 3 vs. Cape Breton1 (Chicoutimi lead the series 1-0)

Shebrooke 3 vs. Shawinigan 2 (Sherbrooke lead the series 1-0)

Drummondville 0 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 10 (Rouyn-Noranda lead series 1-0)

Blainville-Boisbriand 2 vs. Val-d’Or 3 (Val-d’Or lead series 1-0)

Charlottetown 1 vs. Rimouski 2 (Rimouski lead series 1-0)

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