Quebec bounce back winning against Acadie-Bathurst

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Playing the second game of three games-in-three nights, coming out on losing end on Thursday in Chicoutimi, Quebec bounced back playing very solid game to put an end to two-game losing streak as they completely dominated Acadie-Bathurst team defeating them 6-1. Andrew Coxhead earns first stars scoring twice against the Titans.

Quebec opened the scoring with two goals in 10 seconds. Beneficiary of first power play in the game following a penalty to Acadie-Bathurst center William Champagne. Making first save on Quebec defenseman Christian Huntley, center Andrew Coxhead took the rebound scoring Quebec first goal at 7:34.

Quebec came back 10 seconds later as center Jeremy Laframboise scored his first goal of the season in two-on-one breakaway beating Titans goaltender Mark Grametbauer.

Dominating the initial period Quebec added a third goal to their lead with 3:32 remaining to the first period. A perfect tic-tac-toe play saw defenseman Benjamin Gagne completing a three-on-one breakaway with Aleksei Sergeev and Thomas Caron been called up very late last night replacing Louis-Filip Cote who left the game last night with what was believed to be an ankle injury.

Acadie-Bathurst got on scoreboard with 4:48 gone in middle frame as Dominic Malatesta beat Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau on his left side with wrist shot cutting Quebec lead to two goals.

Quebec regained their three-goal lead with only seven seconds remaining in the second periods on second goals of the game by Remparts center Andrew Coxhead beating Titans netminder on his left side. Domination continued in shots on goal department. After dominating 14-3 in first period, Quebec still dominated 11-5. After forty minutes Quebec led 25-8.

Quebec began the third adding another goal with the help of their power play. Already going one-in-two with a man up Gabriel Montreuil scored his first QMJHL goal as his wrist shot beat Titans goalie on his right side at 3:08.

Aleksei Sergeev, scored Quebec sixth goal completing teammates Thomas Caron works near Grametbauer crease pushing the puck behind the goal line with 5:40 left in the game.

“It’s clear we are a team that miss abilities,” answered Acadie-Bathurst head coach Brian Lizotte. “It wasn’t a secret for no one, we have tough time to score goals, and we scored three goals in our last five games. One things is for sure, we are a tenacious team, unfortunately we are there yet, we didn’t have the tenacity we would like to have, we have tough times with the way we manage the puck. We are a team need to be patient, wait for our opportunity. Unfortunately tonight we didn’t managed the puck the way we wanted, it is hard for us to score a goal.” Admitted Lizotte.

Playing with a right broken hand, Quebec goaltender will get surgery on Saturday to fix it. Team expect to see their number one goaltender back after Christmas time. The Minnesota Wild prospect got the injury hitting a wall after been pulled out of last Friday’s game against Baie-Comeau.

“It has been tough, admitted Remparts netminder Dereck Baribeau after the game. “I will be out for some times, I will have surgery tomorrow. My finger is more damaged than it was, it was part of the game, I made a mistake and I will pay for that and will be back stronger around Christmas time.”

Ending his game with two goals Andrew Coxhead earns first stars of the game. “I’m, it was definitely fun to play, and we haven’t had success lately so it was really nice as well.” Quebec center Andrew Coxhead about his performance.

Quebec head coach Patrick Roy was very satisfied about his team performance after seeing his team loses their last two games. Having to play without Louis-Filip Cote (ankle injury), losing Olivier Mathieu for seven to ten days in second periods after been hit with possible shoulder injury, his team came out with very solid performance playing second games of three games in three nights, with third one in Blainville-Boisbriand on Saturday.

“Very satisfied of the team performance, I like all facets of our game tonight, the way we began the game, the way we played on power plays. Honestly, defensively, offensively, I was happy to see Coxhead’s performance, Andrew played very great hockey for us, to see him scored twice, the way he played around the net offensively, and defensively he is a player we can count on in three zones. It is fun to see a player like him taking advantage of his scoring opportunities.” Quebec head coach Patrick Roy said.

Quebec will return on the road to end their three games-in-three nights facing Blainville-Boisbriand on Saturday night.

Five other games were on QMJHL schedule for Friday night

Shawinigan 3 vs. Charlottetown 6

Halifax 3 vs. Victoriaville 4

Rouyn-Noranda 2 vs. Baie-Comeau 5

Val-d’Or 0 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 4

Drummondville 4 vs. Gatineau 0

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