QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Quebec ended the regular season with the best power play in the league. On Saturday night, Quebec scored all their goals, six on twelve power play opportunities, in a 6-4 win over Val-d’Or.
While Val-d’Or returns home empty-handed after second loss in as many nights, trailing 0- 2 in the series, the visitor showed character in taking every chance to score goals.
Photo taken by Serge Poulin
Val-d’Or tied the game on a power play during a penalty to Quebec defenseman Alex Wall, at 17:42. Bret Hester took his own rebound, after Quebec netminder Louis Domingue, made the first save, on Artem Sergeev’s shot, with only 38.8 seconds remaining to the opening period.
Val-d’Or head coach Marc-Andre Dumont was the first to admit his team worked better than the night before, being more aggressive on the puck. But he also recognized his players need to be more, in control of their stick.
“We were more creative tonight, we want the puck more, and we did work better than last night. The team that comes out as a winner is usually the one that score the most,” Dumont said.
Talking about the penalties taken by his team, Dumont gave credit to Quebec, “They were very opportunistic. Quebec has had three five-on-three power plays, and they scored on each of them. They scored important goals.”
Defensively Dumont found his team more responsible, “We were more responsible defensively and we played better in our zone.”
Val-d’Or took the lead for the first time and in the series, on a goal Quebec goaltender would certainly like to see again. Domingue saw the shot taken Matthieu Thibeault along the board beat him between his pads at 3:59 of second period.
Quebec came back with two goals, tying the score 2-2 on Alexandre Grenier first of the series, and regained the lead with John Audy-Marchessault’s fourth of the playoff, less than a minute later.
Photo taken by Serge Poulin
After forty minutes, the visiting team, still in the game, trailed only by one 3-2.
Showing character, Val-d’Or came back again, tying the game 3-3, with a goal scored by Marc-Andre Begin, at 3:01 in the third period. Undisciplined penalties, taken by Cedrick Henley (two penalties) and Gabriel Beaupre proved to be costly to Dumont’s team, when Quebec, got a two-man advantage for 1:10.
Veteran center Joel Champagne gave Quebec a 4-3 lead completing perfect tic-tac-toe play with Tomas Filipi and Wall at 10:10. Filippi got Quebec on the board for the third time in the game with a two-man advantage when he redirected a shot taken by defenseman Ryan Culkin from the blue line, with 5:24 remaining in the third period.
Connor Gagnon scored Val-d’Or last goal with only four minutes left to the game. Val-d’Or defenseman Guillaume Gelinas ended his game in the penalty
Photo taken by Serge Poulin
box for tripping at 18:24, and
Quebec right winger Frederick Roy, scored
Quebec’s sixth goal at 19:13, giving
Quebec, their second victory, in as many nights.
Veteran forward
Champagne seemed happy to see the team scoring six times on twelve power play opportunities.
“What’s funny is to be able to count on two power play units being successful. We came out like we would. Now, we have to focus on next two games, in Val-d’Or. They gave us good game tonight, and they will certainly want to win at home,”
Champagne said.
Quebec head coach Patrick Roy was happy after the game, knowing his power play units, did the job in game two with 6-12.
“For sure, tonight, our power play did very well. Six goals scored, I would like to see it differently,” Ray said. “We did certain things well tonight, but the important thing is, we have the lead 2-
0 in the series.”
Without singling out his goaltender, Roy recognized that Domingue didn’t play up to expectations. Hesitant before answering the question,
Quebec head coach finally said, “I imagine, he (Domingue) didn’t play his best hockey after first two games, but I hope he will play better, in Val-d’Or.
Next two games will be in Val-d’Or, next Tuesday and Wednesday March 29 and 30.
QMJHL notes: League disciplinarian Prefect Raymond Bolduc handed down suspensions to seven players after reviewing tapes of other first games in other series. The Val-d’Or Foreurs won’t be able to count on their best player Jonathan Hazen for next three games, following a hit from behind on
Quebec defenseman Mikael Tam.
Lewiston MAINEiacs Antoine Houde-Caron will also be on the sidelines for the next three games due to a dangerous body check. Teammate Ian Saab earned one game for a punch.
Gatineau right winger Tommy Tremblay will be forced to watch his teammates play from the sidelines for two games following a slew footing.
Rimouski defenseman Etienne Boutet will miss two games against Gatineau Olympiques for a dangerous body check. Moncton Wildcats left winger Marek Hrivik earned a one-game suspension for a punch. Saint John defenseman Dannick Gauthier will be out of the lineup for one game for a body check judged dangerous by the disciplinary prefect.
Other series in QMJHL
Prince Edward Island 4 vs.
Shawinigan 2
Cape Breton 1 vs. Saint John 7
Victoriaville 5 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 1
Chicoutimi 1 vs. Drummondville 1
Rimouski 2 vs. Gatineau 3
Moncton 1 vs. Lewiston 2
Contact the author at:
serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com Related
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