QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Three goals in 1:49, one with a two-man advantage, another with one man up and a third one at even strength in the third period helped Quebec reverse a one goal deficit into a three goal victory.
With the score 2-1, Rimouski after two periods of play, Frederick Roy tied the score 2-2 with only 0:04 seconds left on Rimouski defenseman penalty taken by Ryan Kavanagh. Roy deflected a shot from the blue line taken by Vincent Barnard.
Consecutive penalties to Rimouski forwards Alexandre Mallet (hooking 12:50) and Etienne Boutet (freezing the puck 13:00) led to what became the game winning goal scored by John Audy-Marchessault at 13:39.
Criticized by Patrick Roy after the last game for not working hard enough and his lack of leadership, the veteran center used to play right wing on first line, played a much better game on Friday night ending with the third star of the game.
“Tonight we played a much better game, we put lots of pressure on their defenseman and they had hard time to deal with it,” said Marchessault after the game.
“For sure a ton of pressure fell down after I scored,” the veteran said talking about the third Quebec goal. “It felt good in a key moment in a game like tonight. We need to be opportunistic and we have been doing it.”
Remparts’ captain Mikael Tam sealed the fate of the Oceanics with Quebec fourth goal of the game; it was Quebec fourth goal scored in seven power plays opportunities. Tam’s shot from the blue line beat Rimouski goaltender Morgan Clark on his stick side at 14:13. Tomas Filippi completes the scoring for Quebec with Remparts fifth goal 0:45 seconds later beating Oceanics netminder with a wrist shot from the slot.
The line of Frederick Roy with Mirko Hoefflin and Ryan Bourque played another solid game. Bourque for one ended his night with 1 goal, 2 assists.
“It’s really working for us lately,” Bourque said after another great effort from his line. “We worked really hard on the ice we do the right things so we do get the puck. Our defensemen on this team do really good job of working on the backhand for this team, our power play units are pretty lethal and hope it keeps going.”
Quebec played strongly in the opening period dominating 17- 3 in shots on net. Left alone on Clark left side Bourque beat Oceanics goaltender on his glove side with a wrist shot 4:40 into first period on second Quebec power play opportunities in the game. With 11:04 gone in the opening period shots on goal was 12-0 Quebec.
Rimouski tied the game 1-1 scoring with their first shot against Quebec goalie Louis Domingue. Alex Emond, with his first of two goals of the night, saw his shot deflected on Remparts goaltender stick before it went in at 9:29.
Recently signed as free agent from the Western Hockey League, Clark first played for the Rebels Red Deer, Swift Current Broncos. His last WHL team before being released was Prince George Cougars.
Roy seems happy about the way his team played in this 20th victory in 2010-11 regular seasons.
“We played pretty well tonight, we put lots of pressure on Oceanics defensemen, I’m not a big fan of the two-one-two system but I have to admit that it worked very well for us tonight,” Roy said.
Roy continued praising the work of his second line Frederick Roy Mirko Hoefflin and Ryan Bourque, “They worked very well tonight, they work hard, and they paid the price going to place on the ice where they run the risk of being hit. I like their intensity.”
Roy also had good things to say about his other lines, “I also like the line of Hinse (Olivier) and Marchessault AND Joel Chouinard. “Hinse got at least three of four good scoring chances. Sur we would like to see Oliver to regain his touch around the net but its confidence. When the puck will get he will regain his confidence.”
Talking about the performance of his veteran Marchessault, Roy said, “Tonight I found him ok, I would like to see him making the second effort. When he took a shot on goal, I would like to see him drive to the net to get the rebound. That’s what we will continue to work on with him; we will show him some tape where he got the instinct of going to the net after taking first shot.”
On the other side Rimouski head coach wasn’t too happy about his team’s performance.
“What would you want me to say? What would you want me to say guys,” were the first words by Clement Jodoin.
But after couple seconds he gave all the credit to his opponent team.
“It’s an excellent team, I have to give credit to them they played very well. You have two ways of seeing that game, it depend on which side you are on. We played against a good team. I have nothing to say, it is always the law of silence that are the best. The winner should talk. They won 5-2 tonight so you should go to see them; they are the one who dominated the game,” Jodoin said after the game.
Quebec returns to action on Saturday night hosting the Chicoutimi Sagueneens before visiting Rimouski playing the Oceanics on Sunday afternoon.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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