Quebec gets last word winning over Rimouski

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Facing each other for second time in as many days after losing last game of the round robin tournament yesterday, Quebec faced-off against Rimouski in do-or-die game as the winner earns the right to play in Semi-Final of the Memorial Cup tournament against the Western Hockey League champion Kelowna Rockets.

Losing the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final in double overtime against Rimouski Quebec found a way to stay alive signing a 5-2 wins over the President Cup champion. The game on Thursday night was the 19^th games between the two team counting the regular season the playoff. Jerome Verrier with two goals got the first stars of the game

Playing much better Quebec open the scoring in second portion of first period. Unable to get great scoring chances on their first two power play attempts on Rimouski defenseman Jan Kostalek and the one taken by Simon Bourque for delay of game, Quebec breaks the ice on their third power play opportunities following a penalty to another defenseman Charles-David Beaudoin for tripping.

The shot by Quebec defenseman Ryan Graves has been redirect by center Jerome Verrier living no chance to Rimouski goaltender Philippe Desrosiers who has been beaten high on stick side with 2:41 remaining in the opening period. Shots on goal 11-9 in favor of Remparts.

Been 0-in-1 with a man advantage Rimouski tie the game one all on their second attempts with man up. Oceanic defenseman Samuel Morin shot from the blue line beat Remparts netminder Zachary Fucale to his right site 2:32 into the middle frame.

Quebec regained the lead 1:26 later. Driving to the net Quebec left winger Anthony Duclair got great pass from center Kurt Etchegary living no chance beating Fucale on his left side.

A turnover in center by Quebec left winger Vladimir Tkachev proved to be costly for Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher’s team as that lead to Rimouski second goal scored by Jeremy Lepine in a two-on-one breakaway with teammate Francois Beauchemin with 3:53 remaining in the second period.

Quebec regained the lead for third times in the game only 47 seconds after Rimouski came back for second. Working behind his net, Oceanic netminder Desrosiers lose the puck to Quebec left winger Adam Erne who came back in front of the net backhanding the puck into empty net for Quebec third goal.

After the game Rimouski head coach identified Quebec third goal as maybe the one the goal that hurt them. “When our fourth lines gave us a goal I thought we were back but they scored 47 seconds later that hurt us,” Oceanic head coach Serge Beausoleil. “

Quebec came back taking a two goal leads for first time in the game with only 40.3. Quebec center Jerome Verrier redirect a pass from Massimo Carozza to beat Rimouski netminder to his right.

Trailing by two after forty minutes of play in tie-breaker game, Rimouski saw forward Justin Vachon taking a penalty for checking from behind after the siren sound had announced the end of second period giving to Quebec a chance to begin the third with a man up.

Playing with a man up for the fourth times in the game, Quebec netminder made a mistake that could lead to Rimouski goal but turn out in very great scoring chances. Fortunately for Fucale he was the one who repaired his own mistake by stealing Alexis Loiseau with glove save who just got the pass on his tape by Fucale himself.

Quebec came back in third period scoring the back-breaker goal a goal that gave a three goals lead with less than half period remaining. Already registering an assist on Quebec first goal the first of the night by Verrier, Graves shot from the blue line hit Marc-Olivier Roy before it went in at 11:31.

Reviewing the play to see if Quebec center had deliberately push the puck behind Desrosiers with his skate referee Mike Cairns allowed the goal after the review had been conclusive.

Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil decided to pull his starting netminder in last attempt to come back but it didn’t worked. Final result it has been the end for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion, they were eliminated and Quebec earns the right to play the Kelowna Rockets in Semi-Final on Friday night.

“Great game of hockey, I’m not a man who has any regret, honestly I’m very proud of our guys, I know we loss but I look the season we have had, I think we can keep our heads up in that tournament.” Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil said when he was asked how he felt after his team loss.

“For the game we battle real hard in first, the Remparts came out strong but in second when our fourth lines that are brilliant tonight gave us a goal I thought we were back but we were scored on 47 seconds late and it really hurt us.”

Quebec defenseman Ryan Graves played very solid game ending with two assists on team key goals. “It felt very good to say the least,” answered the former Val-d’Or foreurs defenseman when a reporters asked how he felt been able to put those guys away.

“When you have two teams that were evenly match all years taking double overtimes in game seven to knock us out. We didn’t played our best game yesterday, so we made sure to rebound in game today with the team effort, well they played well too, it wasn’t easy but we played well and we have had timely goals.”

Another players who offered solid performance was Jerome Verrier with two important goals. Coming from Drommundville Voltigeurs in trade the centerman who played also right wing gave credit to all his teammates.

“We played very well tonight from the 16 years old to the veteran 20 years old we gave all we got to win this game. Of course we would like to open the new Colisee with new trophy a new banner on the roof good history has been written in that building so we want to be part of that.”

For Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher he was really happy about his team win. “We were much inspired we played much better than we played in latest month. I always have had confidence in our players when we were in emergency situation when we need to perform we did well. We showed that we have character.”

“What a game they played,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher as he talked about Marc-Olivier Roy and Jerome Verrier as they both brought big contributions to Quebec victory against Rimouski. “They played like the leader, they were dominant.

Memorial Cup tournament Semi-Final will see Quebec facing Kelowna Rockets on Friday night.

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