QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Opening their 2017-18 regular season on the road with two games in less than 24 hours, Quebec earned their first win, 3-1, in Chicoutimi. After a scoreless first period, Quebec scored two of their three goals with the help of their power play. Philipp Kurashev, on the power play, scored what became the game winning goal in the middle frame. 
Quebec began their 2017-18 season on strong note. While neither team was successful in breaking the ice in first period, the visitors dominated the home team 13-6 in shots on goal.
Closing the door on first scoring chance of the game belonging to Chicoutimi as Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau made the save on Sagueneens right winger Kelly Klima on great pass from his brother Keven, Quebec dominated the rest of first twenty minutes of play.
On Quebec side, captain Matthew Boucher got the first two scoring chances forcing Chicoutimi goaltender Zachary Bouthillier to stop Boucher on breakaway. Visitor got first opportunity with man up as Chicoutimi forward Olivier Galipeau got cut by referee Olivier Gouin for roughing.
Besides Boucher, Quebec left winger Olivier Mathieu got two great scoring chances, Mikael Robidoux, Dereck Gentile and Louis-Filip Cote got Quebec other great scoring opportunities.
Recently signed an entry level contract after been invited to Minnesota Wild training camp Quebec netminder Baribeau also closed the door on Chicoutimi defenseman Jeremy Diotte, center Marc-Antoine Gagne, center Olivier Galipeau and Vladislav Kotkov. Only real scoring opportunity on Chicoutimi side belonged to Kelly Klima in first five minute of the opening period.
Chicoutimi ended first period on power play following penalty to Quebec forward Olivier Mathieu for Kneeing with 1:30 remaining in first period.
Killing the 29 seconds left to Mathieu penalty taken by Quebec with 1:30 remaining in the first period, the visiting team was the first to break the ice with only 2:26 gone in middle frame.
Seeing the opening, Quebec defenseman Andrew Pico made perfect pass to teammate Dereck Gentile who saw his shot beating Sagueneens netminder Bouthillier over his left shoulder.
Chicoutimi center Samuel Houde got Sagueneens great scoring chance but again Remparts netminder Baribeau closed the door.
Going 0-for-1 with man advantage, Quebec took advantage of their second opportunities on power play as Xavier Pouliot of Chicoutimi has been guilty of holding at 6:35.
A great play beginning with Quebec winger Olivier Garneau passing to capain Matthew Boucher ended with Philipp Kurashev first goal of the year for the European beating Sagueneens goalie over his right shoulder at 6:54.
Quebec got their third chances in middle frame to play with a man up following Chicoutimi third penalties in second period as Jeremy Groleau went in the box for hooking. Fortunately for Yanick Jean’s team Chicoutimi successfully killed Quebec power play.
Quebec still dominated shots on goal after two periods of play 28-15, (15-9) in middle frame.
Perfect on first 20 shots by Chicoutimi Dereck Baribeau has been beaten on the 21st shots coming from the stick of Kevin Klima beating Baribeau between his pads with 7:24 remaining in the third periods.
Cutting Quebec leads in half, gave some momentum to home team getting several great scoring opportunities as Klima unfortunately lost the control of the puck been on breakaway he was unable to take a shot with less than five minutes left to the game.
Already 1-in-4 with a man advantage, Quebec got their fifth opportunity as Felix-Antoine Marcotty was found guilty of high sticking with 2:31 remaining.
Olivier Garneau on pass from Matthew Boucher scored the insurance goal beating Sagueneens netminder between his pads at 18:11 of the third period.
Quebec dominated shots on goal 37-25, ending 2-in-6 on their power plays. Chicoutimi ended o-in-2 over 60 minutes of play.
Quebec next game will be on Saturday visiting Baie-Comeau.
Seven other games were on schedule in the QMJHL on Friday night
Cape Breton 3 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 1
Moncton 3 vs. Charlottetown 2 (shootout)
Gatineau 1 vs. Victoriaville 2
Rimouski 0 vs. Baie-Comeau 5
Drummondville 2 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 4
Blainville-Boisbriand 4 vs. Shawinigan 3
Sherbrooke 1 vs. Val-d’Or 3
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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