QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing two games in two nights in the Abitibi region Quebec opened the weekend with 5-2 win against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Winger Anthony Duclair played his best game ending with four points, one goal three assists since returning from the New York Rangers.
Fans coming to Rouyn-Noranda to see their favorites facing Quebec assisted to very entertainment first period where five goals were scored.
The Huskies was the first team to break the ice at even strength with only 2:09 gone in the initial period. Moving from one side to the other Mathieu Lemay’s shot hit the crossbar before crossing the goal line behind Quebec goaltender Zachary Fucale.
Already been 0-in-1 with a man advantage, Quebec tied the game on their second power play opportunities. Adam Erne one-timer left no chance to Rouyn-Noranda goalie Jeremy Bellisle with 8:18 to go in the period.
Scoring their first goal playing with a man advantage, Quebec took the lead for first time in the game playing n shorthanded situation. Trying to control the puck behind his net Huskies netminder Lose the puck to Jerome Verrier making perfect pass to Anthony Duclair scoring his 7th of the season his second shorthanded goal in 2014-15 at 13:51.
Allowing two goals on first five shots the Huskies head coach Gilles Boucher decided to pull his young netminder sending another young one 16 years old Samuel Harvey.
Rouyn-Noranda came back tying the score two all with Alexander Siils who redirected a pass from Julien Mantel behind Quebec netminder with 5:48 remaining.
But with 1:45 remaining to the first period Quebec regained the lead for second times in first period as Massimo Carozza accepted a great pass from teammate Duclair before beating Harvey between his pads with a backhanded shot.
The New-York Rangers prospect ended first period with one goal two assists.
In second period only one goal has been scored and it came from the visiting team taking a two goal leads as Remparts defenseman Ryan Graves only had to put the puck in an empty net following another great piece of play by Duclair who got his third pass in the game with only 1:30 left to the middle frame.
Two fights broke-out in the second period first one involved Redgie Bois of the Huskies against Yanick Turcotte turning to the advantage of Quebec enforcer.
The second one came after Raphael Maheux gave a legal hit on Francis Perron. Teammates Antoine Weaked came in but again the Quebec defenseman came out on top.
After been found guilty of be too deep on first Rouyn-Noranda goal Quebec goaltender made several key saves in second period to keep his team lead all the middle frame until Quebec adds a fourth goal taking a two goals lead after forty minutes of play leading 4-2.
Rouyn-Noranda saw Allan Caron has been been ejected from the game after he tried to pull head gear to Quebec forward Massimo Carozza in the fight.
Quebec adds another goal in the third period with Marc-Olivier Roy beat Harvey on his left side at 1:27.
Quebec will return in action on Sunday afternoon visiting Val-d’Or Foreurs, before coming back to Quebec hosting the Rimouski Oceanic on Tuesday night to begin a three in three.
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday
Sherbrooke 0 vs. Baie-Comeau 4
Victoriaville 2 vs. Cape Breton 3
Halifax 2 vs. Charlottetown 1
Rimouski 3 vs. Drummondville 4
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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