Quebec ends pre-season schedule on victorious note Rookie Coxhead scores game winning goal

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing in front of 497 fans in Complexe Multidisciplinaire Ancienne Lorette, the Quebec Remparts signed a 4-2 victory against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar ending their pre-season schedule with 5-0-1-2 record. Four different players scored Quebec goals. Andrew Coxhead made the difference scoring the game-winning goal in third period.

The home team opened the scoring only 23 seconds in as Ethan Crossman took advantage of a turnover in center to go on a breakaway beating Baie-Comeau goaltender Bo Taylor with backhanded shot on glove side. Remparts logo Oct 13

Baie-Comeau replied 2:24 later when Shawn Element slid the puck under Quebec goalie Evgeny Kiselev with a backhand shot tying the score 1-1 at 2:47.

Quebec regained the lead 1:59 later as European right winger Dmitry Buinitsky scores his second of pre-season schedule.

Even if the victory didn’t mean anything in pre-season, Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher appreciate the fact referees lets the player plays five-on-five in game where only two minors has been called in whole game.

“I like when they let players plays the game, when we can play five-on-five,” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said. “I like when it isn’t a power play festival its ok.”

“Playing five-on-five we work on several thigs and we still have things to work, “continued Quebec head coach Boucher.

The head coach liked his team’s effort but not entirely. “I like the team effort time to time, it has been hard for us defensively in first period, our forwards in second, but it seem better in third. We always knew our goaltender will play big roles for us and “Gino” (Evgeny Kiselev) plays strong game for us.” Remparts head coach Philippe Boucher said.

Trailing by one in the beginning of middle frame the visitor brought both teams back to square one with left winger Simon Chevrier completing great pass from teammates Shawn Element as Chevrier wrist shot beat Quebec netminder high on glove side 5:43 into the second period.

Quebec replied less than two minutes later with Quebec first round selection in 2016 Andrew Coxhead scoring what became the game winning goal at 6:08. Shawn O’Brien completed the scoring for Quebec adding an insurance goal Quebec fourth one in the game in an empty net.

Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher got great words for his first round pick in 2016. Andrew (Coxhead) played very well, he was good in all situations. I don’t have any problem to send him at the end of a period to win important face-off, in shorthand situation, everyone knows he will play on power play sometimes during the year. But we want to go slowly with him and he really play very good hockey.” Said Quebec head coach Boucher.

On the other side, Baie-Comeau head coach Martin Bernard also had great words about his rookie center Shawn Element, “Shawn did well tonight, he is great rookie he works hard, and he brings lots of energy to the team.”

“Tough to say,” answered former Shawinigan head coach Bernard as he was asked if his young 16 years old will have impact on his team. Sometimes it will be like tonight, on other night it will be harder. It will be normal it will be the adaptation to the league.” Continued Drakkar head coach Martin Bernard.

Quebec will open their 2016-17 regular season on Friday September 23 hosting the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

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