Quebec ends weekend on winning note

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing a third games in three nights, ending a five games in eight nights stretch, the Quebec Remparts played solid game, being tenacious, competing for the puck everywhere on the ice as they answered their head coach Patrick Roy request coming back from Drummondville with 3-2 win. Third time is lucky says the adage that is what Quebec verified as they took the lead three times before registering the victory. Registering his third of the year Louis-Filip Cote score what became the game-winning goal giving Quebec their third win in 2018-19 regular season.

Dominating Quebec in shots on goal 10-3, beneficiary of three power play opportunities in the first period, Drummondville, wasn’t able to put puck behind Quebec goaltender Anthony Marrone.

The former Victoriaville goaltender acquired by Quebec during training camp prevented the Voltigeurs to break the ice as he made key saves against Voltigeurs right winger Dawson Mercer and center Felix Lauzon with less than two minutes remaining in the first period.

Requesting to be more aggressive on the puck, Quebec head coach Patrick Roy, saw his players answered their head coach request, even if the scoreboard only showed three shots on goal. Olivier Mathieu got the best scoring change as he went on two-on-zero breakaway, taking a shot forcing Drummondville goaltender, Olivier Rodrigue to make the save with his right pad.

Killing Drummondville first three power plays in first period, beneficiary of two power plays inside first two minutes Quebec opened the scoring on their first opportunity. Philipp Kurashev scored his first of the year with only 1:08 gone in second period.

Quebec netminder Anthony Marrone had been perfect on first 23 Drummondville shots but Dawson Mercer completed perfect pass from former Quebec left winger Gregor MacLeod tying the score 1-1.

Quebec right winger Mikael Robidoux has been ejected from the game at the end of second period following a hit to the head to Voltigeurs center Xavier Simoneau who has concussion history. He unfortunately left the ice on stretcher.

Quebec regained the lead for second times in the game. Taking a rebound from Matthew Grouchy first shot on Drummondville netminder Rodrigue, Pierrick Dube scored his second of the season 1:52 into third period.

Drummondville came back for second times bringing back both teams to square one as defenseman Nicolas Beaudin long wrist shot beat visiting netminder Marrone on his left with 14:55 remaining in the third period.

Quebec scored the goal that made the difference with only 1:17 left on the clock. Taking a rebound from the board Louis-Filip Cote score the goal that made the difference in visiting team favor to end weekend on winning note defeating Drummondville 3-2.

Quebec will return home for next game hosting possibly one of the best QMJHL team in the league, hosting Halifax Moosehead.

Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday night.

Rouyn-Noranda 5 vs. Rimouski 2

Val-d’Or 3 vs. Sherbrooke 6

Charlottetown 1 vs. Cape Breton 3

Acadie-Bathurst 10 vs. Saint John 1

Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 4

Chicoutimi 3 vs. Gatineau 1

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