Quebec gets last word in win over Gatineau.

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing the first of the next four games in front of their fans Quebec finally got the last word on Gatineau winning 7-4 in front of 8,684 fans. Leading by three at the beginning of second period Quebec saw their opponent coming from behind twice 0-3 and 3-4 but Quebec came back in third scoring three unanswered goals to seal Gatineau’s fate registering the victory. Vladimir Tkachev (2g-1a) and Adam Erne 2 goals took charge of Quebec offensive.

Quebec opened the scoring for twenty-ninth times cumulating a 20-8 record. Taking advantage of a turnover in visitor defensive zone Quebec center Kurt Etchegary missed his first shot but taking his own rebound he beat Gatineau goaltender Francois Brassard to his right side 39 seconds into first period.

Another turnover in Gatineau defensive zone led to Quebec second goal. Anthony Duclair made perfect pass to Vladimir Tkachev beating the former Quebec netminder to his left side at 4:31.

Quebec came back in second period adding a third goals to their leads. Tkachev scores his second of the night beating Gatineau netminder with a backhanded shot to Brassard right side 1:30 into middle frame.

Leading by three Philippe Boucher’s team saw their opponent scoring next three goals latest two in sixteen seconds. Losing the puck at offensive zone Quebec defenseman Aaron Dutra couldn’t do anything as he saw Olympiques forwards Alexandre Leveiller and Joey Richard going on two-on-one breakaway ending with Richard ninth of the season at 3:03.

Alex D’ostie scores first of two goals in next sixteen seconds. Working near Quebec goal D’ostie beat Quebec goaltender with backhanded shot with 12:25 remaining in second period.

Gatineau center came back sixteen seconds later bringing both team back to square one with his second goal of the game.

Quebec regained the lead by one on great effort by Anthony Duclair. After the New-York Ranger prospect saw his former teammates making first save Duclair took his own rebound beating Brassard top corner with only one second remaining to Quebec penalty for too many men on the ice served by Tkatchev.

Gatineau came back scoring their fourth goals tying the score 4-4 only forty-four seconds after Duclair’s goal. Quebec defenseman Nikolas Brouillard lose the puck to Alexandre Landreville who beat Fucale to come from behind for second time.

After seeing the visiting team coming twice in second period 0-3 and 3-4, Quebec came back in third period scoring three more goals to finally sealing the fate of Gatineau.

Been guilty on Olympiques fourth goal the one that brought both team back to square one for second time in the game, Quebec defenseman scores Quebec fifth goals with a shot from the blue line that gave no chance to Gatineau netminder at 8:36.

Adam Erne with first of the night gave back a two goal leads for second times in the game on a power play with 52 seconds remaining to Gatineau forward Yan-Pavel Laplante penalty. Erne scores his second goal of the game in an empty net giving a 7-4 wins to Quebec.

After the game Gatineau head coach Benoit Groulx wouldn’t wanted to pull any credit to Quebec victory but said his team gave up fourth goals to the Remparts.

“It began badly and ended badly,” said Gatineau head coach Benoit Groulx after the game.

“I think offensively we did good things with the puck, I don’t want to pull them any credit but we gave them at least four goals. You can’t go on the road, you can’t play in this league giving up four goals, on first two goals were on breakaways. They did not do the play we were the one who made the play for them. We were here last two days we prepared ourselves, we began the game with our veteran 20 year old on defense and that was him who began the game like that.” Continued visiting head coach Groulx.

Authors of two goals in the game Vladimir Tkachev was happy after the game. “After the second period they did lots of mistakes and then the coach made the suggestion to cool down and not panicking” answered the Russian winger when the team took their time out after team saw the visitor coming from behind to tie the game 3-3.

“I can say yes but long time ago I have success like that on the ice after his shoulder injury and now it seem to go very well.”

For Nikolas Brouillard he was very happy to contribute offensively after been guilty on Gatineau fourth goals. “It was a mistake from me I wasn’t lucky either as I made a move the puck went over my blade I felt really bad but scoring the fifth goals relieved me a lot.” Said the left defenseman Brouillard.

“In first period we thought we will have an easy game, in second we have had really tough second but in third we came back strong,” said the former Drummondville defenseman trying to resume the game.

“We have had great beginning, Gatineau was here for a-while they had had tough practice but we knew they will play good game. Trailing by two wasn’t a real indication the way they played.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said after the game.

“First two goals were two breakaways two chances we have had, but we will have to learn to play better when we have the lead. When the situation require us to play better defensively we will have to do it. It wasn’t what we did.”

Quebec will return in action right on Friday night playing their second of next four games at home hosting the Shawinigan Cataractes.

Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Thursday

Sherbrooke 1 vs. Halifax 4

Rimouski 3 vs. Moncton 2

Charlottetown 5 vs. Shawinigan 1

Chicoutimi 1 vs. Victoriaville 5

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