QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — With the score 2-2 after two periods, the Montreal Canadiens 2009 first-round selection and 18th overall Louis Leblanc made the difference by scoring Montreal’s third goal, the game-winning goal, their second victory in as many nights and collecting four precious points in the standings over the weekend.
“Sure it’s fun to score the game winning goal but what is the most important thing is we won the two games,” Leblanc said after the game. “We proved to everyone that we are able to win and we are one of the best teams in the league.”
The Montreal head coach didn’t seem completely satisfied after his team shootout victory the night before, but seem to appreciate the win in Quebec much more.
“Tonight I think we played better game overall. After last night game we were happy to get the win. On the other hand it was two good teams that faced each other but I thought we could have played better hockey,” said head coach Pascal Vincent. “Tonight it was little bit slowed before we get in the game but in second period we began to play the kind of game we are able to play.”
Answering a question about the intensity in the first two confrontations between the two teams Vincent said, “It was our first two confrontations, and guys weren’t too happy to win in the shootout the night before so considering what happened in the first game, yes it brought more intensity in second game.”
Quebec broke the ice in the opening period when Frederick Roy took a loose puck in the goalmouth following a first shot by Mirko Hoefflin and wristed the puck beating Montreal goaltender Jean-Francois Berube at 7:04.
Montreal got on the scoreboard six minutes later when Trevor Parkes roofed the puck with a backhanded shot beating Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue at 13:26.
Montreal scored first in second period. Eliezer Sherbatov gave a 2-1 lead to the visitors with his 2nd of the season, 9:56 into the middle frame. Sherbatov’s wrist shot went through several players giving no chance to Quebec netminder to make a save.
Montreal’s Tomas Filippi completed some great work by John Audy-Marchessault beating Berube with a wrist shot that went five-hole at 17:34. Both teams returned to their respective locker room with score still tied 2-2 after two.
Domingue would certainly like to have had another opportunity at the wrist shot by Louis Leblanc, the one that beat him between his pads 0:49 seconds into the third period, because that goal, was the one, that gave the win to the visitor completing the sweep. Montreal third goal was scored with a man-advantage during a penalty at the end of second period to Quebec forward Olivier Hinse for delay-of-game when he shot the puck in the stands at 20:00 of second period.
“Details,” said the Quebec goaltender when he was asked what the team needs to do to get back on winning track. “We need to work better, we need to do the little details that we did in the past. We need to get back to what we did when we won games. We don’t have to panic with our three loses in a row, we are able to get back on track, we just need to win one game. We won some thigh games we lose some so we know what we need to do to get back on the winning track.”
Quebec Remparts head coach Patrick Roy disagreed on words when one reporter asked if his team effort was dissatisfied.
“I wouldn’t say unsatisfied but more disappointed,” Roy said. “If I look at our last three games it’s sure we were disappointed of the final result but not the way players worked. We were in a sequence of five games in nine nights. In our last three games, our losses all came in the third period. So we all have to question ourselves, beginning with me at first and after, discuss with the players.”
“If I look the third period maybe I gave too much ice time to several players and they came short in third missing some energy and maybe that’s what explained why….. If you look the Lewiston game it was 2- 2 in the third, we lose 4- 3. In Montreal yesterday, we led 4-2 sometime in the third we lost in the shootout. Tonight it was 2-2 after two and we lose again,” Roy said to give more explanation and be sure everyone understood what he tried to say.
Quebec will play their next three games on the road next weekend in the Maritimes.
The Remparts will play the Acadie-Bathurst Titans next Friday November 12, on Saturday November 13 the team will play Prince Edwards Island and on Sunday they will end their three games in three nights facing the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Next home game be will be on November 18 against the Gatineau Olympiques.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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