QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — In a game where the first ten minutes can dictate the
Quebec Logan Shaw photo by Serge Poulin
Using their speed and opportunism Quebec takes a 4-0 lead scoring first 3 goals on 7 shots forcing the Voltigeurs head coach Mario Duhamel to pull his starting goaltender Dominic Graham sending veteran Alexandre Veronneau.
Asked to explain how his team came out in this first game Drummondville head coach said, “After first three shifts where we seem to be in the game, Quebec came out strong with two men in for checking we expected it from them but little mistakes here and there turn against us we seem to freeze little bit. After that we came back in the game.”
“We have to give credit to Quebec it’s a very good team, we knew very well coming here wouldn’t be easy. If you look overall we seem to react well.”
Vincent Barnard photo by Serge Poulin
His team being young Drummondville head coach agreed that nervousness could certainly be a factor that could explained what happened in first ten minutes of the game.
“Playing with young team playing on the road, we didn’t seem to be able to control the nervousness. But after that we showed some character
Mikhail Grigorenko broke the ice in the series with his first goal of the playoff 3:43 into the opening period.
Quebec defenseman Martin Lefebvre redirects a shot from Adam Erne giving Remparts a 2-0 lead 2:09 later.
Logan Shaw, who already got first point in the series earning an assist on Quebec first goal, took the rebound from Mikael Tam beating Drummondville netminder for third times on Quebec 7th shots. Shaw’s goal was scored with Quebec been with a man advantage.
Quebec Louis Domingue photo by Serge Poulin
After taking his timeout after Quebec second goal, Drummondville head coach Duhamel decided to pull his starting netminder sending veteran Alexandre Veronneau.
Acquired by Quebec at trading deadline and traded again to Drummondville the same day Quebec welcomed their former goaltender scoring their fourth goal at 10:33 when Vincent Barnard scores his first of the series.
After scoreless second period, Quebec came back in shorthanded situation with their fifth goal. Coming from behind Remparts center Gabriel Desjardin stole the puck from Olivier Archambeault going on breakaway beating Veronneau under his left pad with a backhanded shot 2:35 into the third period for Quebec 5th goal.
Louis Domingue who had been perfect until 15:18 of third period lose his shutout possibility when Voltigeurs defenseman Roman Hrabarenka get Drummondville on the board for first time in the series with his team being on power play. Michael Santini scored Drummondville second goal with 1:43 remaining to the third period.
Drummondville Dominic Graham photo by Serge Poulin
Ending the game with 2 assists earning the second star of the game, veteran forward Frederick Roy agreed to say Quebec should continue to work for 60 minutes instead of letting it go with less than 5:00 minutes to go in the game.
“In third the last 10 minutes we should have kept the same rhythm all game long not to give them chance to come back because it’s a team that will compete, so we should continue to work for 60 minutes.”
Earning the first star of the game after scoring 1 goal and an assist, Logan Shaw was happy to see his team take the lead in that series.
“It was important we just have to prove to ourselves and to Drummondville that we are better team coming out to work. We have lots of skills but we have to work for 60 minutes. We will be successful if we continue to work for full 60 minutes and all the series. If we get out of our game they have pretty good team out there so we have to stick to our game plan.”
“We have had a good practice yesterday, this morning we moved the puck very well so we would like to get good start, that’s what we would like to see,” Roy said after the game.
“We would like to see the team begin on really good notes and that’s what we have had. That is exactly the kind of start we would like to have. We moved the puck very well all along the game we just have been less opportunistic than in the first period. In second and third Veronneau did made lots of good saves it did great in relieve.”
Second game in that series will be next Monday night due to the arena unavailability.
Only one other series begin on Thursday in QMJHL
Gatineau 2 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 7 (Blainville-Boisbriand lead 1-0)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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