QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Being involved in a do or die game in the playoffs is never an easy challenge to uphold. Finding themselves in a deeper hole following the loss in game three, the Halifax Mosseheads had lots of work ahead to to stay alive in best of seven quarterfinal series.
Dominic Ducharme’s team scored all the goals they would need in the first period, leading them to a 2-1 win over Quebec Remparts, on Wednesday night in front of 7,878.
Knowing they would not have another chance to redeem themselves if they want to play another game in 2011-12 playoff, Halifax came out in first period playing their best hockey of the series scoring 2 goals on 19 shots on Quebec veteran goalie Louis Domingue ending his game facing 33 shots making 31 saves.
Playing very well in front of Halifax goal, Zachary Fucale made key saves at important moment in game especially in the beginning of third periods, making 26 saves out of Quebec 27 shots.
Missing their first opportunity with a man advantage following a penalty to Quebec veteran defenseman Vincent Barnard for delay of game, the Halifax Mooseheads broke the ice first at even strength.
Left uncovered in the slot Jonathan Drouin beat Quebec goalie Louis Domingue giving the lead to Halifax for the fourth times in the series 1-0 at 11:21.
Getting first two Mosseheads scoring opportunities in the beginning of the opening period, Cameron Critchlow on breakaway made a good move beating Quebec netminder between his pads for Halifax second goal at 17:04.
Playing with more conviction in second period, Patrick Roy’s team was the only one to get on scoreboard. Unable to take advantage of a power play to begin the middle frame, Quebec score their first goal at even strength.
Criticized for not playing up to his potential since the playoff began, Mikhail Grigorenko saw the chance turned in his favor scoring his third goal of the playoff 2:46 into the second period. Dominated by Halifax in first frame, Quebec dominated first half of second period 7-1 with 14:27 to go and 8-2 with 9:56 remaining. But after forty minutes Halifax still leads on main scoreboard 2-1 and on shots on goal25-16.
Keeping his team’s lead the Halifax netminder Fucale made key saves to begin the third periods.
With the score still 2-1 Halifax, Quebec head coach Roy decided to pull his starting goalie in favor of sixth attackers. Having fresh to his memory what happened to his team in game three when his team has had the lead, Halifax goalie didn’t took any chance when he has had to face to face off in his zone with 32.6 and 9.3 seconds remaining in the game.
Fortunately Halifax was able to keep the one goal lead forcing game five on Friday night.
Three other series were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday
Saint John 5 vs. Baie-Comeau 3 ( Saint John win series 4-0)
Shawinigan 1 vs. Chicoutimi 2 (series is tied 2-2)
Blainville-Boisbriand 3 vs. Rimouski 4 ( 11:34 in first overtime) (series tied 2-2)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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