Quebec completes perfect week with victory in Val-d’Or

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Going on the road for a three games back to last Sunday in Shawinigan Quebec completed their three road games in Val-d’Or on Friday night. Already winning in Shawinigan last Sunday and on Thursday in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec looked forward to complete their road trip with a perfect record and by the same token maybe been able to tie a franchise record with eight consecutive wins on road established in 1997.

Taking the lead for first time in opening period Quebec needed to regain the lead in three occasions before sealing a 5-4 win against Val-d’Or Foreurs as they tied a franchise record with eight wins on the road established for first time in 1997. Andrew Coxhead scored what became the game winning goal in an empty net as Foreurs pulled their goaltender with less than two minutes remaining in the third period.

Four goals were scored in offensive first period in Val-d’Or on Friday night. Quebec was the first team to break the ice on their seventh shots on goal. Remparts defenseman Christian Huntley saw his shot from the blue line beat Val-d’Or goaltender Mathieu Marquis on his right side with 8:42 to play in the initial period.

Gong 0-in-1 with a man up Quebec adds to their lead on their second opportunities as Foreurs defenseman David Henley was in the penalty bench for second times in the period. Quebec right winger Pascal Laberge wrist shot beat Foreurs netminder on his left side with 5:58 remaining.

Val-d’Or replied with two goals in span of 18 seconds to bring back both teams to square one. Nathan Hudgin beat Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau over his right shoulder with 1:58 left to play into the first period.

Eighteen second later Yan Dion scored Foreurs second goals in the game beating Quebec goalie on his left side. It was his 10th of the regular season for the former Drummondville Voltigeurs left winger.

Val-d’Or goaltender has been superb in middle frame especially as his own team was on power play stopping a two-on-one breakaway as Jesse Sutton and Pascal Laberge went on Marquis making key save on Quebec center Sutton.

Going 1-in-2 with a man advantage Quebec regained their lead on their third power play opportunities. Already missing one opportunity earlier in the period, Quebec captain Matthew Boucher scored his 30th goal in the regular season, second time in his career and his 95th in his junior career. Boucher completed great pass from teammate defenseman Sam Dunn at 12:17 of middle frame.

Trailing by one in third period Val-d’Or came back for second times in the game tying the score 3-3 on 19th of regular season by Julien Tessier beating Baribeau on his left side at 8:49.

Foreurs netminder Marquis made several key saves preserving the tie but got no chance on Philipp Kurashev scoring his 18th goals of the season. Missing last three games of his team due to pneumonia Kurashev one-timer left no chance to Foreurs netminder. It was Quebec third power play goals on six opportunities.

Pulling his netminder with two minutes left to the game General Manager and head coach Pascal Daoust saw Quebec center Andrew Coxhead scored in an empty net giving to Quebec a two goal lead at 18:16.

Val-d’Or came back 21 seconds later with their fourth goal scored by Ivan Kozlov but it was too late as Quebec registered their eighth consecutive road wins tying a franchise record since 1997.

Quebec will return home next Wednesday hosting Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night.

Charlottetown 3 vs. Cape Breton 4 (overtime)

Acadie-Bathurst 6 vs. Saint John 4

Shawinigan 1 vs. Victoriaville 9

Sherbrooke 3 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 4

Chicoutimi 4 vs. Gatineau 3 (overtime)

Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Rimouski 5

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