Foreurs third best scorer with 77 points Nicolas Aube-Kubel (18) photo by Serge Poulin
QUEBEC P.Q. —Remembering their last meeting in Val-d’Or (losing 6-0) Quebec played solid hockey for sixty minutes for second time over the weekend. After defeating Rouyn-Noranda the night before, Quebec ended their weekend on a perfect note registering a 4-1 win against the Val-d’Or Foreurs. After being left out of lineup last Tuesday Anthony Duclair ended his night with two points (1g-1a) earning the third star. For his part Guillaume Gauthier also answered his head coach request of stepping up his game also ending with two points (1g-1a).
Quebec gets on scoreboard first with goal scored by Guillaume Gauthier who redirect a shot by defenseman Ryan Graves with 9:07 to play in first period.
Duclair gave Quebec a two-goal lead as his shot deflected off Foreurs players beating Val-d’Or goaltender Bouchard between his pads for second time with 3:20 remaining.
Val-d’Or cut Quebec lead to one goal with Simon Tremblay’s 17th of the regular season. Tremblay wrist shot beat Quebec goaltender Callum Booth to his left 53 seconds into middle frame.
Quebec power forward and Tampa Bay prospect Adam Erne photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec regained their two-goal lead 16 seconds later. In the preceding week, Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher asked several of his players to step up their game. With Gauthier breaking the ice scoring Quebec first goal in the game, Marc-Olivier Roy also answered his head coach scoring his 25th as he redirected a shot from defenseman and former Foreurs defenseman Ryan Graves.
Quebec added a fourth goal to their lead with the 40th goal scored by Adam Erne. Driving to the net the center put the puck behind Foreurs netminder beating Bouchard on his right side at 12:43.
Being hit in second period Guillaume Gauthier did not came back in third period. Quebec head coach said after the game,” Gauthier has an upper body injury he should be ready for the playoff.”
On the other end, Jerome Verrier fell on the ice and accidently fell on Val-d’Or player skate blade. The former Drummondville forward wasn’t cut severely so he might be there on next weekend.
Val-d’Or goaltender Keven Bouchard has been beaten by Guillaume Gauthier in first period photo by Serge Poulin
Earning second star Quebec goaltender Callum Booth made 29 saves on Foreurs 30 shots. After the game he was happy about his performance but as usual deflected the credit to his teammates.
“Sure I thought about it a bit but I tried to forget loses,” Quebec goaltender answered when he was asked if he thought about the last meeting between the two teams where Quebec loss 6-0.”
“I tried to concentrate on tonight game the team did very well to limit their opportunities. I felt very well on the specific play you refer to (Nicolas Aube-Kubel breakaway) our defenseman made perfect play placing the player on almost impossible angle to get great scoring chance. We played very well defensively tonight and it really help.” Concluded Callum Booth.
For Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher, he also gave credit to his players. “I like our implications we played great we skated very well, and we were physical, in fact in might be one of our most physical game.”
“We made some mistakes but even if Val-d’Or played without two important players and even if was their third games in four days, they played their style and we played like them to. We skate well offensively we were dangerous and I adored our physical implications.”
On the other side Val-d’Or head coach Mario Durocher gave credit to the opponent but was first to admit that the last loss after winning 12 games in a row, did not help them.
Val-d’Or right winger Alexi Pepin in Quebec offensive zone photo by Serge Poulin
“We played a game without emotions. Last night loss hit us a bit the suspension to Richard (Anthony) and Fraser (Jeremie), hurt us because they bring lots of energy and life in our team but we have to give credit to the Remparts. They outworked us outskated and they deserve the two points.”
Quebec will end regular season with two important meetings against Rimouski Oceanic. Next Friday Quebec will host the Oceanic and on next Saturday they will play their last game in 2014-15 regular season visiting Rimouski.
Five other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday night
Rimouski 4 vs. Baie-Comeau 3
Chicoutimi 1 vs. Shawinigan 4
Cape Breton 1 vs. Charlottetown 3
Acadie-Bathurst 4 vs. Moncton 8
Halifax 7 vs. Saint John 4
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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