Quebec open weekend with shutout over Drummondville

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Losing all confrontations between the two teams this year Quebec came into Drummondville determined to turn things around against the Voltigeurs. Scoring all the needed goals in first half of initial period (7:43), Quebec played a very strong game in Drummondville keeping the Voltigeurs at bay, winning 2-0 in Drummondville. Quebec goaltender Antoine Samuel was strong all game making 35 saves registering his third shutout of the regular season and his first with his new team.

Playing strong first period in Drummondville Quebec took 2-0 lead with first goal coming at 5:10 of the opening period. As a penalty to Marc-Olivier Duquette come to an end, as he stepped on the ice Matthew Groutchy wrist shot beat Voltigeurs goaltender Olivier Rodrigue over his left shoulder.

Quebec came back 2:33 later with their second goal of the game playing four-on-four. Quebec defenseman Etienne Verrette wrist shot being redirected by Jesse Sutton beating Drummondville netminder for his 18th of the year.

Playing four-on-three Voltigeurs right winger though he had beaten Quebec goaltender Antoine Samuel for first Drummondville goal but after video review the puck had hit the goalpost so score still 2-0 visitor.

Quebec goaltender was solid preventing the Voltigeurs to get on main scoreboard making key save on three Voltigeurs power play.

Already going 0-in-3 in first period with a man advantage, both teams were beneficiary of one power play each but still unable to get a puck pass goal line as the score still 2-0 Quebec after two periods of play.

Antoine Samuel has been perfect making 27 saves blocking all Drummondville shots on goal. An undisciplined penalty by Voltigeurs center Xavier Simoneau with 3.8 seconds left to play in middle frame gave a fourth power play to Quebec in the game to begin the third period.

Drummondville successfully killed Quebec power play to begin the third period. After scoreless second periods neither team was able to get on board in third periods Trailing by two Drummondville only shot eight times on Quebec netminder as Samuel was able to register his third shutout this year his first with Quebec uniform. He made 35 shots.

Quebec next stop on weekend will be in Chicoutimi facing the Sagueneens.

Eight other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday

Acadie-Bathurst 1 vs. Cape Breton 2 (overtime)

Moncton 5 vs. Halifax 12

Blainville-Boisbriand 5 vs. Victoriaville 2

Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Gatineau 5

Chicoutimi 0 vs. Rimouski 2

Charlottetown 2 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 1

Sherbrooke 5 vs. Shawinigan 4

Saint John 2 vs. Val-d’Or 3

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