Quebec opens weekend with victory over Prince Edward Island

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — After a poor start the Quebec Remparts improved their play over the last forty minutes to win 8-3 against the Prince Edward Island. Quebec defenseman Owen Werthner ended the game with thee points.
 
“We didn’t play the way we are use to,” said Quebec head coach Patrick Roy. “We gave up too many turnovers in the neutral zone but we played much better the rest of the game.”   The first three goals were scored in less than five minutes with Prince Edward Island center Benn Duffy scoring the first of two goals with only 1:09 gone in the game.   Quebec tied the game less than two minutes later when Mikhail Grigorenko scored his 25^th at 3:07.   Prince Edward Island regained the lead two minutes later on a goal by right winger Louick Marcotte who beat Quebec goaltender Francois Brassard between the pads at 5:07.

Mikhail Grigorenko scored Quebec first goal photo by Serge Poulin

  Quebec answered with the next two goals in 1:07.   Picking up the puck at the offensive blue line Quebec defenseman Werthner beat Rocket netminder Maxime Lagace with a backhand at 14:19.   Quebec took the lead for first time 1:07 later. Giving up a rebound to his right following a shot from the blue line by defenseman Philippe Archambault, Lagace was beaten on his glove side by Quebec Alexandre Contois.
 
The second goal by Rocket center Duffy that tied the game at 3-3 signaled the end of the night for Quebec starting goalie Brassard who had been beaten three times on ten shots on goal in 17:47 of play, Louis Domingue who came back after being cut from the National Junior Team get in the game blocking first three shots before the end of the period.
 
“I didn’t want to pull Francois after he gave the third goal, but I felt he was nervous so I didn’t want to take any chances so I felt obligated to send Louis (Domingue) and he was very good,” said Roy after the game.
 
“I don’t want to come from behind,” added Roy.
 
Domingue entered the game making several saves to end the first period but has been very solid in first half of second period preventing the opponent to regain the lead for third times in the game.
 
Quebec scored three goals on 16 shots on net in the middle frame. Veteran left winger Frederick Roy pulled the trigger from left faceoff circle surprising Rocket netminder on short side at 10:54.
 
Quebec added two goals in the third period Mikael Tam 14:25 with his 12^th of the year and Ryan Culkin 18:09 complete the scoring for Quebec.
“We began the game strongly with scoring chances almost even,” said the Prince Edward Island head coach Gordie Dwyer. “We scored on our chances but it was after that, that we seem to fall.
 
“Domingue gave them a solid game. Brassard has been good since the season started but sometime you can’t stop all the shots. Ben Duffy score twice on him, it wasn’t the first guy who makes the goalie not as his best. I don’t think its goalie change but Quebec has a very good team and we are in a rebuilding phase.”
 
Quebec will return in action playing his last game before Christmas brake facing the Acadie-Bathurst Titans on Sunday.
 
Seven other games were on schedule on Friday in the QMJHL
Saint John 4 vs. Cape Breton 3
Halifax 2 vs. Moncton 0
Gatineau 2 vs. Drummondville 5
Baie-Comeau 4 vs. Victoriaville 1
Chicoutimi 1 vs. Rimouski 6
Blainville-Boisbriand 4 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 3
Shawinigan 3 vs. Val-d’Or 1
  Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com