QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Being totally dominated in the opening period in shots on net 20-9 and overall 47-26, trailing by two goals, three times in the game, Quebec came back to get the final word, winning 6-5 in a shootout. Veteran forward Jonathan Bourcier with two goals in regulation gave Quebec the win as he was the only one to successfully put the puck behind Halifax goaltender Alexis Gravel.
Halifax got on board 23 seconds into the opening period. Connor Moynihan scored his 15th of the season as his wrist shot beat Quebec goaltender Callum Booth on blocker side. 
The Mooseheads added a second goal to their lead just as a penalty to Quebec right winger Derek Gentile ended. Cooper Jones beat Quebec netminder on his right side with 16:02 remaining to the first period.
Beneficiary of their first power play of the game Quebec scored their only goal in the first period. Acquired recently as veteran 20-year old from Acadie-Bathurst Jonathan Bourcier scored his fifth of the season, his first with the Remparts beating Alexis Gravel on his left side at 7:12.
Beneficiary of a five-on-three power play for 1:08 the Mooseheads weren’t able to get the puck behind Quebec netminder for the first 1:08 but scored their third goal playing five-on-four. The penalty to Jesse Sutton (delaying the game) cost to Quebec the Halifax third goal. Been patient with the puck Bradley Kennedy wrist shot went over Booth left shoulder at 13:14.
Dominating in shots on goal 20-9 in opening period and on the scoreboard 3-1 Halifax continued their domination in middle frame adding two more goals on 15 shots.
Trailing by two for the second time (2-0) (3-1) after one period Quebec cut Mooseheads lead in half on a two-on-one breakaways. Dmitry Buynitskiy made perfect pass to Philipp Kurashev scoring his 8th of the year beating Halifax netminder Gravel on right side at 6:11.
Halifax came back regaining their two-goal lead 4:01 later. Making first save on Moynihan shot Nico Hischier took rebound made backhand pass to defenseman Jocktan Chainey seeing his wrist shot went behind Quebec goalie with 9:48 to play in middle frame.
Quebec came back scoring their third goal the second in the game by 20-year old Jonathan Bourcier. After Gravel made first save the former Acadie-Bathurst veteran winger wrist it top corner with 6:28 remaining in second period.
Halifax didn’t waste time as they scored only eight seconds into Quebec penalty to defenseman Christian Huntley. Nico Hischier scored Halifax fifth goal beating Quebec netminder Booth top corner at 17:25.
Trailing by two goals for third time Quebec played solid third period scoring twice to push both teams to overtime.
Taking advantage of a turnover at his own blue line, Quebec captain Matthew Boucher went on breakaway scoring his 11th of the year 6:41 into the third period.
Taking a shot along the board Quebec center Olivier Garneau surprised Halifax goalie Gravel for Quebec fifth goals in the game with 10:07 remaining.
After exciting overtime period, where both teams had scoring chances, each time goaltenders made the save, Quebec got the final word as Jonathan Bourcier who already two goals in that game was the only one to put a puck behind other goaltender to open the three games in three night game with a win.
After first stop in Halifax Quebec will pursue their Maritime road trip playing a second game of three games I three nights facing Saint John Sea Dogs.
Two other games were on QMJHL schedule on Thursday
Shawinigan 5 vs. Moncton 1
Val-d’Or 2 vs. Rimouski 6
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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