QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Playing the first of two games in less than twenty-four hours, Quebec was able to sign a 1-0 shutout victory against arch-rival Rimouski Oceanic. Claimed on waivers by Quebec from Baie-Comeau at last QMJHL trading period Russian goaltender was perfect in front of visiting team net making 25 saves registering his first shutout of the regular season. Quebec left winger Olivier Garneau was the only one beating Rimouski goaltender Alexandre Lagace who made 28 saves on Quebec 29 shots on goal.
Unable to take advantage of a five-on-three power play for 1:34 seconds, Quebec broke the ice playing at even strength. Olivier Garneau accepted a great pass from veteran center Alexandre Stills using his speed to beat Oceanic goaltender Alexandre Lagace on his right with wrist shot with 1:37 remaining to the opening period.
Rimouski got several great scoring chances with Taylor Boland hitting the post as Oceanic played in shorthanded situation killing Quebec subsequent five-on-four power play that followed the 1:34 two men advantage.
Antoine Dufort-Plante, Samuel Laberge and Alex Olivier Voyer got other Rimouski great scoring chances for the home team but each times Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev closed the door.
Beaten only once in the first period at even strength, the Rimouski netminder was able to close the door on Quebec offense as they got two other chances with two men advantages.
With Deven St-Hilaire in penalty box for Rimouski for interference, Oceanic forward Dylan Montcalm followed teammate in the box for slashing giving Quebec a second five-on-three power play in the game for 16 seconds followed by a five on four power play for 1:43.
Successfully killing their second two-man disadvantage in the game the home team faced a third one as defenseman Andrew Pico went in the box for boarding giving Quebec a third five-on-three power play this time for 1:23.
Again Rimouski goaltender Lagace has been perfect keeping his team in the game only trailing by one after forty minutes of play. Getting slight edge in shots on goal in opening period 11-8 Quebec still leading in shots on goal department 22-15 after two periods of play.
Best Oceanic scoring opportunity came on a two-on-one breakaway Samuel Beck and Nicolas Werbik, Quebec netminder challenge Beck who took the shot as Kiselev made the save keeping Rimouski out of scoreboard.
Rimouski forward Julien Proulx and Quebec Alexandre Drapeau dropped their gloves with less than five minutes remaining with Proulx throwing the only punch.
Trailing by one already been 0-in-2 with man advantage in first forty minutes the home team got two more chances with man up trying to get on board for first time in game. Third Rimouski power play chances came at 7:50 as Quebec veteran center Alexandre Sills has been found guilty of hooking.
Seeing Quebec netminder closing the door on Oceanic forwards, Rimouski goaltender Lagace made another key save with his blocker as he made the save against Quebec center Auguste Impose on breakaway.
Not been better with a man advantage 0-in-6 Quebec wasn’t able to take advantage of the seventh opportunities as Taylor Boland took penalty been found guilty of slashing with 6:12 remaining in third. Again Rimouski was able to prevent Quebec to add to their lead.
Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil decided to pull his starting netminder Lagace sending sixth attackers on the ice with 1:28 left to the game.
Found guilty of holding Quebec veteran center Bronson Beaton went in the box giving to the Oceanic a six-on-four power play for 16 seconds. Fortunately for Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher his netminder Kiselev resisted to Last ditching effort from Rimouski helping Quebec to register their third consecutive victory.
Quebec will end its weekend visiting Acadie-Bathurst on Sunday afternoon
Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday night
Sherbrooke 1 vs. Moncton 5
Chicoutimi 4 vs. Baie-Comeau 3 (overtime)
Blainville-Boisbriand 3 vs. Cape Breton 5
Charlottetown 5 vs. Halifax 2
Gatineau 1 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 3
Saint John 2 vs. Val-d’Or 6
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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