Oshawa wins over QMJHL champion Rimouski

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — In the second game of the Memorial Cup tournament, the Ontario Hockey League Champion face-off against the QMJHL President Cup winner. Leading by one after forty minutes of play Oshawa saw Rimouski tied the game early in the third but a late goal by Hunter Smith seals the fate of the QMJHL champion as the Generals wins 4-3 against the Oceanic.

Oshawa scored twice in the opening period of game two of the Memorial Cup tournament.

Tobias Lindberg took his own rebound following a face-off won by teammate center Michael McCarron to beat Rimouski goaltender Philippe Desrosiers low on stick side 4:07 into first period.

Oshawa came back 5:20 later with their second goal. Partially touching the puck Oceanic netminder couldn’t do anything on Michael Dal Colle wrist shot with 10:33 remaining in opening period.

Dominated by for first 15:00 of first period Rimouski turned thing around following successfully killed a penalty to teammate Francois Beauchemin.

Two goals in 44 seconds on first four shots brought back both teams to square one. A wrist shot by Rimouski defenseman Andrew Pico has been redirect by the author of first Rimouski goal center Tyler Boland with 4:34 remaining on the clock.

Coming from behind the net following a bad outing from goalie Ken Appleby Oceanic center Alexis Loiseau beat Oshawa netminder between his pads for visiting team second goals in the opening period.

Consecutive penalties to Oshawa left winger Matt Mistele (tripping) and defenseman Dakota Mermis (delay of game) for 1:34 to end the period.

Keeping the momentum in second period the Oceanic got several great scoring chances Boland in the beginning of the middle frame, Loiseau on power play force Generals netminder Appleby to make key saves to prevent their opponent to break the tie.

Trying to change the momentum Oshawa center Michael McCarron dropped his gloves against Oceanic defenseman Samuel Morin. Both players were first round selection by Montreal and Philadelphia.

“It was lots of different he was huge we are far away from each other he is a tough customer there our guys wasn’t playing hundred percent and maybe a boost was what we needed at that time.” Said Michael McCarron who had been acquired from the London Knights and been transferred from defense to center.

Centering Oshawa third line with Tobias Lindberg as left winger and Sam Harding the Montreal Canadiens prospect work on his speed skating better and also got great efficiency on face-off winning seven out of nine face-off with half game played.

Before the second period end Oshawa regained a one goal lead with a goal scored by Stephen Desrocher. The shot by Generals defenseman deflected on Rimouski player before beating Desrosiers high on his left side with 1:27 left to the middle frame.

Being 0-in-3 with a man up Rimouski tied the game with a goal on their fourth power plays opportunities of the game. Used to score important goal in the President Cup final in the QMJHL Oceanic defenseman Jan Kostalek beat Oshawa netminder high on Appleby right side. The puck seemed to deflect on Oshawa player before going in 3:46 into the third period.

Oshawa came back less than seven minutes later with what will become the game winning goal. Unable to keep the rebound from first shot taken by Bradley Latour Oceanic netminder couldn’t do anything on Hunter Smith taking the rebound and beat Desrosiers on his right side at 9:24.

Winning their first game in the tournament seem to be very good for Oshawa netminder. “It’s great feeling just to get one under our belt. It is a long tournament and we just have to keep pushing to continue to get wins. We just have to continue to play our game.” Said the Generals goaltender Ken Appleby.

Rimouski left winger Alexis Loiseau was the first to admit that it was unacceptable to play the way they did for first outing in a tournament of that importance.

“It was unacceptable to get out the way we did for our first game of the Memorial Cup. We were in control most of the game but we were force to play come back hockey after trailing by two.”

“It wasn’t the first time that we have bad start, we won’t hide it hurts, we came back in playoff several times but tonight, we did not earned that game at all.” Ended Oceanic center Loiseau.

For Oceanic head coach Serge Beausoleil, he gave credit to his opponent. “I would like to give credit to Oshawa they were very good. They were on the puck they protect it very well. On our side we did not have the kind of beginning we anticipated. But even all that we were in the game up until the end. We have lots of things we could retain from a game like that but one thing is for sure we can play much better hockey.”

“They score one goal more than us,” answered the Oceanic head coach when a reporter asked what the difference in the game was. “I like the way our guys played against big guys we learned lots of things tonight time possession was clearly in Oshawa favor. On our side I think we complicated our life. Our game plan was very simple very clear we have to have to control the puck so tonight our numbers showed around fifty turnovers in the game. So you can’t have as many turnovers in a game and wishing to win.”

For D.J. Smith, the Oshawa head coach, his team plays well early but some mistakes ended in their net. “I thought we played well early but obviously couple mistakes ended up in our net.”

“In second period lots of penalties back and forth, our power play wasn’t really good or their penalty killing was very good. In third period we cough on up we did couple mistakes but we found a way to get lucky break out there and found a way to win.” Oshawa head coach Smith said.

Third game of the tournament will see Oshawa playing their second games in second night facing the host team Quebec Remparts.

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