Quebec ends home stretch on victorious note over Moncton

Quebec defenseman Etienne Vermette (6) ending the game with 1 goal 1 assist photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Ending a four-game home stretch before going on the road for next three games on the road, Quebec offered great performance winning 5-1 against the Moncton Wildcats. Playing without six of their regulars (two playing on first line, Dmitry Buynitsky and Matthew Boucher, defensemen took charge of home team offensive with Etienne Vermette (1g-1a), Darien Kielb (1g-1a) and Samuel Hould (1g-1a) leading Quebec to rheir second victories I last 11 games.

Quebec broke the ice with only 2:18 gone in opening period. Quebec defenseman Samuel Hould shot went over Moncton goaltender Matthew Waite left arm, Shawn Bily got the assist on Remparts first goal.

Moncton came back less than fourteen minutes later to tie the game 1-1. After making first save on Jonathan Aspitot Quebec goalie Evgeny Kiselev can’t do anything on Samuel Meisenheimer shot scoring his fourth of the year.

Quebec began second period on a strong note scoring two goals in 33 seconds .After Philipp Kurashev got first great scoring opportunity in middle frame, Remparts came back with two goals in 33 seconds taking a two goal leads.

Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev earning his 12th wins of the regular season photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

Quebec defenseman Darien Kielb saw his shot from the blue line been redirect by Moncton player before crossing goal line behind Waite 1:36 into the second periods. Another defenseman score Quebec third goal as Etienne Verrette redirect a shot from Philipp Kurashev scoring his first of the regular season.

Quebec adds a fourth goal, third one in middle frame, to grab a three-goal lead. After Moncton goalie made pad save on first shot by Quebec blueliner Samuel Hould, center Shawn Bily took the rebound beating Waite for his third of the season at 8:56.

Already getting an assist on Quebec second goal scored by Vermette, Philipp Kurashev completed the scoring for Quebec with his 18th of the season as the shot went through several players before beating Wildcats netminder between his pads 7:45 into the third periods.

Earning the second star in the game Quebec defenseman Samuel Hould was really happy to see defensemen scoring goals and helping the team to win that game.

“After losing four in a row, it is fun to win a game,” answered Samuel Hould. “Sure Moncton isn’t the best team in the league but we needed to win that game and we came out very well in first two periods.”

Referring to missing players, the Quebec defenseman underline how proud he was with other defensemen to help scoring goals.

“We didn’t hide it we missed big players but we brought great contributions, that might be what made the difference, things that we didn’t do in last games,” admitted the former Val-d’Or Foreurs defenseman acquired before last trading deadline.

Another defenseman for whom it was a special night was Etienne Vermette who scored his first career goal in the QMJHL.

Quebec right winger Shawn Bily (28) stickhandling the puck going in offensive zone photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

“Sure it was really great last weekend it had been harder for sure we needed to win that match. Yes my first career goal I’m really happy, I can’t say I waited it but yes it is really fun. It was nice we contributed,” continued Hould talking about the three goals coming from defensemen. “We came out strong tonight, besides our injuries I think we have a team, when we work, we can do a lot of good things, we have seen that tonight even with some replacement players who did very well today.”

“Yes, yes in junior we have some young team but tonight we have had young team and I think having a game like that one is good for our confidence.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said in his post game press conference.

“At this age the confidence is really important, we did great things, we played very well in all phase of the game,” continued Boucher.

Since last week everyone talked about team players who will be missed due to injury but Quebec head coach made different speech to his players.

“We tried not to talk about it but with you we mostly talked about it, we talk about it with Steve (Belanger) in the pro sometimes they tried to put aside the injured players not here,” Boucher said.

Moncton left winger Liam Murphy (14) battling for the puck photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

“We tried to keep them around to make them part of the team, we tried to not talk about it with the players, we talk about opportunities, adversity, and the opportunity for the guys who are there and last night it was that, the regular season is almost over so it is really important for our 20 years old, on the other end our young guys play with enthusiastic. What will be the best thing to do at 16, 17 years old than to play here in Videotron center in front of crowd like ours that was the message yesterday. The other message was to do thing the right way.” Ended Quebec head coach Boucher.

Quebec will go on the road for their next to games beginning with first stop in Chicoutimi on Friday night facing the Sagueneens. On Saturday afternoon Quebec will be in Baie-Comeau facing the Drakkar.

Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday night.

Halifax 2 vs. Saint John 4

Shawinigan 3 vs. Baie-Comeau 4

Victoriaville 4 vs. Gatineau 2

Drummondville 4 vs. Val-d’Or 3 (overtime)

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