Quebec ends losing streak with win against Sherbrooke

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Having been on the losing end for last seven games, Quebec staged a come from behind win against the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Trailing 1-0 for most of first period Quebec scored three times, two in third period, after tying the score with 38.8 seconds to play in first period.

Former Quebec Remparts captain retirered Kurt Etchegary made the official face-off photo by Serge Poulin

Going 0-for-4 with a man-advantage, Quebec took advantage of a penalty to Daniel Audette in third period to break the tie and get the lead for the first time in the game.

Trying to kill a penalty to defenseman Ross McDougall, defenseman Anthony Gingras got the honor of scoring the game-winning goal as his icing attempt went in an empty net giving Quebec a two-goal lead. While Sherbrooke scored on the same McDougall penalty as Nicolas Poulin scored his 20th of the regular season Quebec was able to register their first victory after losing seven games.

The visitors were the first team to draw blood with a long wrist shot from defenseman Julien Bahl beating Quebec goalie over Booth left shoulder with 8:30 remaining in the opening period.

Quebec tied the score with 38.8 seconds remaining. The wrist shot by Quebec defenseman Aaron Dutra beat Sherbrooke netminder tying the score 1-1, Louis-Filip Cote the young 16 years old got his first point with Quebec.

Quebec missed their second power play chance in the second period following a penalty taken by Sherbrooke defenseman Carl Neil pushing Quebec center Matthew Boucher along the board. Quebec head coach’s son went on locker room and never return.

First save of the game by Quebec goaltender Callum Booth photo by Serge Poulin

A penalty taken by Daniel Audette for slashing became the penalty that led to Quebec second goal scored by Quebec defenseman Christian Huntley his first of the year his first as 16 year old in the QMJHL AT 14:57. Huntley took a rebound shot from new captain veteran forward Bronson Beaton.

“It was always great thing to score first goal,” answered 16 year old Christian Huntley near Quebec locker room after the game. “Guys played really well it was really excited. It was good to get the win after several loses, we were all happy.”

“It was a great atmosphere great crowd (17,719) they were in all night they definitely help us tonight. It was great to get one for them.” Concluded the young defenseman.

Trailing by one the penalty to Quebec defenseman Ross McDougall open the door to visitor head coach Stephan Julien to pull his starting netminder playing six –on-four. But Quebec scores in shorthanded situation as Quebec defenseman Anthony Gingras got a goal as his ice attempt went in an empty net at 17:56.

Sherbrooke finally scored less than a minute later on same penalty cutting Quebec lead to only one goal. Nicolas Poulin scores visitor second goal in the game at 18:10.

nger traded to Sherbrooke last summer Guillaume Gauther best power play scorer in league with 20 goals photo by Serge Poulin

“For Sherbrooke head coach he wasn’t happy about his team performance especially his first line. “I told my players during the week that it will be tough and I think we did not show to begin the game. The first ten minutes we didn’t gave a shot and after that we began to do lots of turnover, we didn’t skate with the puck, we look ourselves all the game, it wasn’t the kind of game I hope for tonight.” Sherbrooke head coach Stephan Julien said in explaining his team performance.

For Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher he was happy to see his team getting a win after his team loses seven consecutively. But before he talked about the game first question was about his best scorer Matthew Boucher who left the game in second period and never came back.

“Upper body injury,” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said about his centerman he will pass X ray tomorrow and I’m not expecting good news, we will know much tomorrow.”

Quebec center Matthew Boucher left the game in second period and never came back in the game photo by Serge Poulin

“It didn’t help but we will talk about several weeks I said in the beginning of the year that players will have to take the opportunity some will have to take advantage of it, Matt took advantage of it but if he is on sideline other will have to take this opportunity. We let lot of players go to give some other a chance. No other players here can pointed the G.M. to not gave them their chance cause we let lot of players go to make room for them so it will be to other players to take advantage of it.”

“We wouldn’t be too hard on them, we played three big team in Gatineau last week, sure you want to win once in a while it give you the chance to get the counter to zero and start all over again,” continued Quebec head coach Boucher.

Next Quebec game will be on the road at Victoriaville facing the Tigres.

Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night

Halifax 1 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 4

Cape Breton 2 vs. Charlottetown 4

Blainville-Boisbriand 1 vs. Gatineau 2

Chicoutimi 6 vs. Shawinigan 2

Saint John 5 vs. Rimouski 3

Baie-Comeau 2 vs. Val-d’Or 11

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