QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — After seing the two teams that won their first game the night before at the Memorial Cup tournament, it was the clash between the two teams that lost their first game. On Monday night, Rimouski faced off against Kelowna. Three players scored twice in the game to lead the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets to 7-3 win over the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Rimouski Oceanic. Leon Draisaitl (2g-1a), Nick Merkley (2g 1a) and Gage Quinney (2g) led Rockets offensive.
Kelowna broke the ice 52 seconds into the first period. Being patient Draisaitl wait until teammate Merkley came in picking the pass with his skate before beating Rimouski netminder Louis-Philip Guidon over his right shoulder with backhand shot. 
The Western Hockey League champion added to their lead. Kelowna captain Madison Bowey long shot from blue line beat Guidon to his right side with 13:44 remaining in the first period.
Dominated 10-2 in shots on goal by Kelowna with 12:25 to play in the opening period the best scoring chance for Rimouski up until then came on a two-on-one breakaway with defenseman Samuel Morin and Alexis Loiseau. Rockets netminder Jackson Whistle made the save.
Kelowna scored their third goal in opening period. Taking the rebound from right winger Merkley Gage Quinncey beat Rimouski goalie top shelve at 14:27.
Like the night before against Ontario Hockey League champion Rimouski Came back scoring next two goals in three minutes.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League breaks the ice scoring their first goal of the game less than minute later after Western Hockey League scored their third goal. Christopher Clapperton only had to push puck behind Rockets netminder. Alexis Loiseau and defenseman Jan Kostalek got the assist at 15:14
A penalty to defenseman Madison Bowey led to visiting team second goal. Winning his battle along the board Frederik Gauthier made backhanded pass to Loiseau who found teammates Michael Joly scoring Oceanic second goal exactly three minutes later.
Shots on goal in first period were 14-13 in favor of Kelowna.
Kelowna regained a two-goal lead scoring on their second power play opportunities in the game. Rockets center Gage Quinney has been credited of his second goal in the game third in tournament after the puck in the air went over Rimouski netminder right shoulder only 1:52 into middle frame.
Already scoring Kelowna first goal in the game with only 52 seconds in, Rockets right winger Merkley came back in second scoring his second of the game also his third in tournament giving to the Western Hockey league their second three goals leads in the game. The right winger who plays his second year with the Rockets beat Guindon between his pads with 9:18 to play in the middle frame.
Seeing his starting netminder been beaten five times on 22 shots Oceanic head coach decided to pull Guindon sending Philippe Desrosiers.
The Edmonton Oilers first round selection third overall in 2014 welcomed the new Rimouski netminder Desrosiers scoring his first of two goals in the game as he redirect a shot from teammate Dillon Dube with 6:42 to play. The goal was scored with the teams playing four-on-four.
Rimouski scored their third and last goal of the game as center Frederik Gauthier was credited of the goal after the puck hit Kelowna player skate in front of the net before it went in. It was their second power plays goals in six opportunities.
Kelowna came back scoring another goal a seventh one as they played in shorthand situation Draisaitl scored his second of the game joining teammates Merkley and Quinney. Draisaitl goal came at 14:16 in third period.
For Merkley, the Calgary native was very satisfied about the way his team played against the QMJHL champion.
“We came out hard we were pretty relentless all night and I think we will have to create that tomorrow too.” Said the one who will be eligible for 2015 NHL entry draft. “It is pretty good feeling playing, we want to be part of that final game and we will have to play huge push tomorrow to carry what we had in this game.”
Merkley explained their line success saying, “I think Draist (Draisaitl) create lots of space out there Chartier (Rourke Chartier) is good finisher and obviously it help me tonight too.”
On Rimouski side, defenseman Samuel Morin can’t really explained how come the team came out like they did. “I didn’t know why we did not start better, it’s hard to explain it’s really deceiving. With the score 2-3 we still was in the game, they were little lucky on their fourth goal and it seem to break us up, we stopped playing.”
Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil seemed to have hard time explaining his team’s outing but again he gave credit to his opponent.
“It certainly not a desired situation, it wasn’t the way we saw things. I think we were unlucky in the beginning of the game, we have to give credit to Kelowna they went out very strong, they got lots of skills and talent. They move the puck very well tonight it wasn’t the same team we saw on Friday night. We can all play much better, from first to last one.” Ended Rimouski head coach when he was asked to comment his starting netminder performance.
For Kelowna head coach Dan Lambert his team played much better overall fans saw the true Western Hockey League champion.
“Yes we played much better mostly of the game we played as a team and our best players played much better. I thought our best players were our best players tonight. They control the game like they can made lots of good plays. It was more of the Kelowna Rockets we have seen.”
Game Five of the Mastercard Memorial Cup Tournament will see the Western Hockey League team Kelowna Rockets facing the Ontario Hockey League team Oshawa Generals.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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