QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — John Audy-Marchessault (3g-2a) and Frederick Roy with two goals played key roles in Quebec’s 7-2 win over the Val-d’Or, taking a 1-0 lead in the QMJHL first round series.
Veteran players took the lead right from the start for Quebec scoring four goals, first two inside 9:11. After seeing Val-d’Or scoring their first goal in the game, Quebec came back with two in 18 seconds returning to their locker room with a 4-1 lead.
Photo by Serge Poulin
Driving to the net, Marchessault tipped the puck in, on a great pass from Joe Dube, beating Foreurs goaltender Jacob Gervais-Chouinard at 9:01.
Roy made 2-0 with the first of two goals in the first period 9:11 later, redirecting a pass from Olivier Hinse at 17:49. Trailing by two, Val-d’Or tried to slow the tempo of the game by completing their checks along the board.
Unable to keep the puck under his glove, Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue, saw Val-d’Or
right winger Alexandre Carrier, push the puck behind the goal line for Foreurs first goal 23 seconds later at 18:12.
Val-d’Or head coach Marc-Andre Dumont knew that if you want to play tough, you might run the risk of taking penalties. And taking a penalty means having to face the best power play in the league during the regular season.
Quebec made their opponent pay the price on the only penalty taken by the visitor by Olivier Dallaire, for tripping at 19:19. Quebec left winger Roy scored his second goal in the first period, only five seconds after Val-d’Or penalty began.
The Remparts ended the game scoring three power play goals in seven opportunities.
Before the period ended, with only 23.2 seconds remaining, Marchessault completed a great effort from Dube and Mirko Hoefflin for Quebec’s fourth goal.
“We were nervous before the game, I talk with Tam (Mikael) saying it wasn’t like past year,” Marchessault said before the game. “We were able to keep our play simple, its team victory, we played sixty minutes, we have to thank everyone in the building, and they gave us lots of energy. It was a very good feeling and I won’t forget it.”
Photo by Serge Poulin
Talking about his performance the veteran center said, “Big players need to step up, I think I had a good game but at midnight it’s another day, we have to turn the page and think about next game.”
After seeing five goals scored in the opening period, teams traded goals in second. Val-d’Or gets on the scoreboard first, reducing Quebec lead to two goals with Brett Hester first of the playoff, at 5:28. Hester wrist shot beat Domingue on his glove side.
Quebec captain Mikael Tam blasted a shot for Quebec’s fifth goal in the game, at 15:38. Quebec had the lead 5-2 after the first forty minutes.
Val-d’Or head coach Dumont was the first to recognize his team didn’t came out the way it should have been, “We did not came out the way we should, we made lots of mistakes, and it cost us the game right there.”
“The game could have turned out differently. If instead of coming back to the locker room trailing by three, the score still 2-1. It could have been different. But at 4-1 it was really hard” Foreurs head coach add after the game.
Quebec came back in third period adding two more goals with a man advantage.
Marchessault completed his hat trick 1:20 into the period and Vincent Barnard on a one-timer at 14:53 seal Val-d’Or fate for this first game.
Quebec head coach Patrick Roy was the first to give credit to his players for this first victory but he also said, “We have to be ready for tomorrow (Saturday).”
Photo by Serge Poulin
“I’m very satisfied about the team performance, we came out very well, the goals we scored were fantastic goals. I think about the backhanded pass by Dube on our first goal, same thing with Olivier Hinse, his backhand pass wasn’t easy to do, but it was great execution from our players.”
“What is important for me now, is to put this game aside because, the Foreurs came here to win one game, so they will come back tomorrow hoping to win next game.”
The second game of this series will be tonight at 19:00.
Other games in the QMJHL
Cape Breton 0 vs. Saint John 8
Victoriaville 7 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 4
Halifax 0 vs. Montreal 6
Chicoutimi 3 Drummondville 4
Rimouski 0 vs. Gatineau 6
Prince Edward 1 Island vs. Shawinigan 2
Moncton 4 vs. Lewiston 1
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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