Charlottetown goaltender Daryl MacCullum allowed two goals in 21 seconds in first period photo by Serge Poulin
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Knowing they lost the first game of the preceding series against Cape Breton the Remparts made sure they didn’t repeat the same mistake. Vladimir Tkachev, with two goals and one assist and Adam Erne with two goals led the Quebec offense in 7-2 win against the Charlottetown Islanders.
Quebec opened the game taking a 3-0 lead with two goals in 21 seconds.
Erne earned the distinction of scoring first goal of the second round after referee Nicholas Dutil needed to go to video, reviewing the play at 10:53. The referee had to go to the video to check if Charlottetown had scored first but as the goal wasn’t good the one scored by Quebec left winger count and Quebec took the lead first.
Twenty-one seconds later Anthony Duclair scored Quebec second goal on team third shot. After the puck hit Islanders defenseman Guillaume Rioux-Legeault Duclair shot went behind Charlottetown goaltender Daryl MacCallum.
Quebec came back less than six minutes later with their third goal of the period. Quebec defenseman Ross McDougall’s shot missed the net but the rebound from the board his Visitors stick to slowly sliding behind him at 16:04.
ale got the nod from head coach Pilippe Boucher to begin the Quarter-Final series against Chalottetown photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec added three more goals in 3:31 in in middle frame. Left completely alone near Charlottetown goal Jerome Verrier score Quebec fourth goal with only 1:13 gone in middle frame.
Erne came back less than two minutes later with his second of the game as the puck went under MacCallum’s right arm.
Quebec Russian winger Tkachev scored his second of the playoff at 5:44.
Quebec scored six goals on eleven shots on Charlottetown netminder who began the series since the number one netminder Mason McDonald had been injured in preceding series against Sherbrooke.
In third period Quebec scores one other goal. Vladimir Tkachev surprised Islanders goalie MacCallum with backhand shot over his right shoulder for his second of the game at 7:26.
Kept out of the scoreboard in first two periods the visitors scored their first of the series as Filip Chlapik beat Quebec goaltender Zachary Fucale top shelves at 8:31.
Charlottetown right winger Ross Johnson photo by Serge Poulin
Last Charlottetown goal came from left winger Alexandre Goulet on power play situation. Goulet redirect a slapshot from Ryan MacKinnon beating Fucale on his left side at 14:24.
After the game, Charlottetown head coach Gordie Dwyer was the first to give credit to Quebec.
“We have to give credit to Quebec, they came here tonight they were loose they got they chances and take advantage of it. It’s certain that if the goal had been good the first period could look different but we don’t have any excuses Quebec created their own chances they scored so after that for us it has been tougher.” Visitor head coach Dwyer said about what they thought might be their first goal but after further review the puck did not went in.
Questioned about the young goaltender MacCallum who got the nod to start the series after their number one goaltender Mason McDonald got an injury in first series against Sherbrooke.
“MacCallum for us gave nous good hockey it is our guy and as long as the game went on he played better he made great saves. It is something new here for everyone to play in the big building in front of lots of fans and media. After the first period Daryl did great job to continue to fight.”
On the other side, goaltender Zachary Fucale was the first to recognize that the goal that was not allowed his been key moment. “It has been a key point in the game,” Fucale said about the goal that had been not allowed. It has been a favorable bounce for us.”
Quebec right winger Antony Duclair scores Quebec second goal photo by Serge Poulin
Registering his 39th victory was an honor for Quebec goaltender. “Sure it represent an honor to be on prestigious list but I have to thanks my teammates. One win took everyone it takes lots of effort just to win one so I have to thanks all the players with whom I played.”
Ending the game with one goal one assist right winger Jerome Verrier was also happy about his team win. “We were able to look for a sixty minutes effort. Our defensemen put the puck on net their goaltender might not made the saves he hope to but I’m sure they will rebound in second game.”
We have had great test in our first series against Cape Breton,” answered Verrier in reference of the team on the other side who seem big and used to play tough. They got a reputation of been physical team. Maybe they weren’t able to hit us like they want to, maybe it was one of the reason why we were able to get out with the game.”
“Yes it was a better start, it is spring kind of hockey maybe when the sun will be there it will be better,” said Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher in reference to his team playing better hockey in first game of second round than the first game in preceding round.
“We play much better we were little bit worried before the series we addressed it before the series began. I’m very happy the way guys came out in first period.”
Taking about the physical aspect of visiting team Quebec head coach admit that it is their identity, “I think we played them very well we hurt them in first period and it showed, I’m expecting to see this team played more physical it is their identity.” Boucher said about the way he expect his opponent react in Sunday afternoon game.
Second game of that series will be this Sunday afternoon.
Three other Quarter-finals were on QMJHL schedule on Friday
Halifax 7 vs. Moncton 3
Gatineau 2 vs. Rimouski 1
Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Val-d’Or 2 (2nd overtime)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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