QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Leading by two after forty minutes, Quebec saw their opponent come from behind to tie the game 3-3 but a costly five0minute penalty taken by Chicoutimi forward Morgan Nauss proved to be costly leading Quebec to 5-3 win with last goal in an empty net.
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After opening the score with only 2:01 gone in first period with Russian winger Vladimir Kotkov fourth goal of the preseason, Chicoutimi saw Quebec scoring the next three goals taking a 3-1 in first ten minutes of the second period.
After Chicoutimi scored first, Quebec forward Louis-Philip Cote broke the ice in first period only 1:19 seconds later tying the score 1-1. Hi shot beat Sagueneens goaltender over left shoulder.
Playing with Philip Kurashev and Matthew Boucher, Louis-Filip Cote played a solid game adding two more assists in the game.
“Boucher, Kurashev and Cote played really well that is what we want to see, they will surely play together in next practice and possibly in next game too.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said after the game.
“Last year Cote played at center ice and he had been good we have had some hesitation to put him there but for sure they will be together in next practice. It is very nice we have some options and we will try them and see where it goes.” Continued Quebec head coach Boucher.
“I asked him the other day what do you think you miss to be a great hockey player and he answered me my confidence. So I will give you, answered Boucher. He did it in our practice, he is one of our best player in our practice, he just need to go on the ice having fun, not putting pressure. Sometimes draft year put lots of pressure on player, it was hard to say it was what happened last year, but just to have fun the way he has fun in practice, playing and working hard and he will unlock for sure.”
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Quebec took the lead for the first time in the game scoring twice in middle frame. Matthew Boucher gave Quebec the lead for first time as his wrist shot beat Chicoutimi netminder Zachary Bouthillier on glove side at 5:29 of second period. Cote earned only assist on that goal.
Quebec came back 4:26 seconds later scoring their third goal in the game. Trying to ice the puck Chicoutimi defenseman Simon Monette saw his icing attempted going right on Quebec forward Dereck Gentile’s stick. Remparts winger only had to put the puck behind Sagueneens netminder for Quebec third goal.
Leading 3-1 on main scoreboard Quebec saw their opponent cutting Remparts lead in half scoring their second goal with exactly five minutes remaining in the middle frame. Vincent Tremblay-Lapalme scored his first of the preseason exactly five minutes remaining in the third periods.
Finishing the second period successfully as they cut Quebec lead in half Chicoutimi came back in third period tying the score with the help of their power play. Morgan Nauss scored Sagueneens third goal. Coming from behind the net Nauss hit the puck seeing the puck going slowly between Quebec goaltender Olivier Chalifour’s pads 2:33 into the third period.
With the score tied 3-3 a costly penalty for cross checking to the head, taken by Morgan Nauss gave five-minute power play to Quebec.
Taking advantage of the golden opportunity Quebec broken the tie taking the lead for second times in the game. Quebec defenseman Gabriel Villeneuve’s shot from the blueline found its way to the net with 5:44 remaining to the third period.
Putting all his eggs in the same basket, trying to get a goal Chicoutimi pulled their starting netminder in favor of a sixth attackers. Unfortunately for the Sagueneens, it was Quebec that add a fifth goal in the game, the insurance goal at 19:07.
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For once, Chicoutimi head coach wasn’t disappointed of his players, totally the contraire as his team came in Quebec missing lots of players for different reasons, whether missing players were suspended, sick or injured.
“It was very positive, answered Chicoutimi head coach Yanick Jean. “With all missing players they needed all their little money to beat us. Honestly I’m really impressed by my team. We played at three defensemen plus Ferland who played 30 minutes called up from Seminaire Saint Francois (midget AAA), the kid has been incredible, he played like a veteran like if it was like three years playing in our league. I’m very happy the way we played.”
Quebec will open his 2017-18 regular season on the road playing first two games in Chicoutimi on September 22nd. And on 23rd Quebec will play in Baie-Comeau.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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