Opening face off game between Chicoutimi and Quebec photo by Serge Poulin
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Trailing by one in the third period Quebec came back to tie the game at three with Massimo Carozza signing his first hat trick of the regular season, but Matthew Boucher scored the game-winning goal giving to Quebec their first win over the weekend against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens by the score of 4-3.
Quebec opened the scoring but like in first game against Rimouski the night before their opponent came back scoring the next two goals to take the lead.
After making the first save on Boucher’s wrist shot Chicoutimi goaltender Julio Billia could not do anything on the rebound taken by Massimo Carozza who scored his first goal of the season at 6:35.
Chicoutimi came back three minutes later; losing the puck Quebec defenseman Ross McDougall saw Nocolas Desgrosseiller going on a short breakaway beating Quebec goalie Julian Galloway first his first goal as rookie.
Battle along the board photo by Serge Poulin
The Sagueneens took the lead for first time on Jonathan Bourcier first goal of the season at 11:41.Going between two Quebec defensemen Christian Huntley and Giancarlo Fiori beating Quebec goalie on his left side.
Going 0-in-5 with a man advantage Saturday night Quebec took advantage of their first power play opportunity against Chicoutimi to bring both team back to square one at 15:51. A long wrist shot from the blue line by center Carozza beat Sagueneens netminder tying the score 2-2 after first period.
Unable to take advantage of a second power play in the game Quebec saw their opponent taking advantage of their scoring opportunities to take the lead for second time. Working along the board Alexandre Jacob brought the puck in front Galloway who saw Antoine Marcoux beat Quebec goalie with backhand shot at 5:49.
Too deep in his net on Chicoutimi third goals Quebec goalie surrendered three goals on first seven shots.
Leading by one the visitors got their first power play opportunity of the game with 12:02 remaining in third period. Also 0-in-5 against Shawinigan on Saturday Chicoutimi wasn’t able to take the opportunity to add to their lead.
Quebec left defenseman Austin McEneny photo by Serge Poulin
Trailing by one and having to kill a penalty to defenseman Giancarlo Fiori Quebec scores in shorthanded situation to tie the game at three goals a-piece.
Already scoring the first two Quebec goal Carozza who had a rough game the night before completes his hat trick scoring his third goals of the season. Using his speed to beat Chicoutimi defenseman, following great pass by Boucher, Carozza beat Sagueneens goaltender to go in overtime.
After only three minutes of play in fourth period playing three on three new rule in the QMJHL to play in overtime Matthew Boucher completed great play by teammates Auguste Impose and Branson Beaton giving to Quebec a 4-3 overtime win their first in the Videotron Center.
“It’s special in front of our fans like I never saw before, our fans are really incredible.” The author of the game winning goal in overtime Matthew Boucher.
“We know on our bench they are there to cheer, to be behind us, it is almost a sixth players. I didn’t thought we played bad game last night we should have got a better outcome but it is great for us to win to get two points.
For Carozza it was his first hat trick since the time he played bantam; he was very happy to contribute to his team first victory.
“I feel nice, I think I haven’t scored one since bantam probably, so it is nice especially here my family is here so it is nice to score in front of them.” Said the one who played left wing in first game but came back to center for game against Chicoutimi Massimo Carozza.
Another one for whom the victory was very satisfying was head coach Philippe Boucher.
face off between Chicoutimi center Louis-Charles Lemay and Quebec Olivier Garneau photo by Serge Poulin
“Very happy the way we came out tonight, with all the distractions we had last night I didn’t think we played bad game but it was our first game in new building the players were impress, it was the same for the Oceanic. Tonight guys got energy, they skates they were enthusiast. The ambiance was good in the locker room. With our mistakes it cost us several goals due to the fact we are young, we played bit more than sixty minutes so we could be proud of our weekend.”
After the game Chicoutimi head coach Yanick Jean recognized that his players were impress by the building.
“We knew our kids will be impress by their new building I didn’t tried to hide them, I just let them lived the moment. In first period, especially in first portion of first period we saw it wasn’t great, but as the game went on we played bit better.”
“With all players missing due to the fact they go to NHL training camp we practically have a junior triple A when all players will be back from the NHL team you won’t see lots of teams with six 16 years old players in their lineup.”
“Yes I’m fine we stayed in the game our goalie has been solid all weekend, we have one of the best goaltender in the league and he has to give us a chance to stay in the game picking up points here and there as we will gain experience and become better.” Ended Sagueneens head coach Yanick Jean.
Quebec will go on the road for their next two games. First stop will be September 18 as they will visit Shawinigan facing the Cataractes. On next Sunday the 20th they will go to Chicoutimi facing the Sagueneens.
Two other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Moncton 2 vs. Saint John 1
Blainville-Boisbriand 5 vs. Sherbrooke 0
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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