QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — In an exciting game in Gatineau, the Olympiques got the last word needing a shootout before winning 6-5 over the Quebec Remparts. After both teams scoring on their first three attempts in shootout Mitchell Balmas made the difference in beating Evgeny Kiselev who came into the game in relief at the end of first period after Quebec goalie Derek Baribeau had been beaten three times on first five shots he faced. Olympiques netminder Mathieu Bellemare made the save on Olivier 
Mathieu to give the victory to Gatineau.
Yakov Tremin for Gatineau and Dereck Gentile for Quebec were the first two players to score goal in first three attempts on each sides.
In an offensive first period where six goals has been scored Gatineau was the first to break the ice 46 seconds in with Alexandre Landreville first of two goals in the opening period. Landreville long shot surprised Quebec goalie Derek Baribeau.
Quebec replied with two goals in 1:17 taking the lead for first time I the game. Derek Gentile from left face-off circle wrist a shot beating Olympiques netminder Mathieu Bellemare with 7:59 left to play.
Philipp Kurashev scored Quebec second goal his 19th of the year at 13:18, Raphael Maheux and Shawn Bily got the assists.
Gatineau took advantage of their power play following a penalty to Quebec forward Yanick Turcotte 38 seconds after Quebec second goal. Zack MacEwen shot beat Quebec goalie over right shoulder.
Gatineau Came back 38 seconds later with the second of the game by Landreville left alone in the slot. Giving three goals on five shots Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher pulled his starting netminder Baribeau sending Evgeny Kiselev.
Shawn Boudrias welcomed new Quebec goalie with Gatineau fourth goal in the game beating Kiselev with a backhanded shot scoring four goals on eight shots.
Quebec played strong second period, trailing by two (4-2) the visiting team scored twice bringing both teams back to square one. Louis-Filip Cote cut Olympiques lead to one goal as he redirect a shot from Christian Huntley 6:16 into the middle frame.
Quebec tied the game scoring a second goal on third attempts. Left alone in slot Igor Larionov jr. shot beat Gatineau netminder Bellemare at 13:24.
Already scoring on their only power play opportunity, Gatineau regained the lead scoring their second goal on their second chance playing five-on-four. Making first save on Vitalii Abramov, Yakov Tremin took rebound in the slot beating Quebec goalie with 55.8 seconds left in the second period.
The assist on Gatineau fifth goal by Abramov was his third in the game giving him 101 points in the regular season.
Quebec played best period in the game dominating 15-3 in shots on goal to finally tie the game 5-5 with 1:32 remaining in the third periods beating Gatineau netminder Bellemare on 15th shots on Olympiques goalie. Making first save on Mathieu Ayotte, Andrew Coxhead was there taking the rebound to beat Gatineau goaltender with backhanded shot forcing both teams to play an overtime period.
Neither team was success to get the goal that might end the game needing the shootout to determine a winner.
Quebec will return home for their next game hosting arch-rival Rimouski Oceanic.
Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Shawinigan 2 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 5
Victoriaville 5 vs. Chicoutimi 6
Val-d’Or 3 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 9
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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