QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Winning three of their last four games having to go in overtime, on last Wednesday and Friday, trailing by one to begin the third period, Quebec found a way to push their third consecutive game into overtime registering a third win in as many games by the score of 4-3 on Saturday night against Baie-Comeau.
Showing a record of 11-5 with two of five loses coming in shootout, Quebec register their 12th win of the regular season in overtime. Going on breakaway Matthew Boucher saw his teammate Jesse Sutton beat Drakkar goaltender Francis Leclerc over his left shoulder with a backhand shot 3:33 in the fourth period. For Sutton it was his fourth overtime goal in the season. Quebec defenseman Benjamin Gagne also got three goals in overtime.
A penalty to Quebec defenseman, playing forward for the occasion Marc-Olivier Alain opened the door to Baie-Comeau on their first power play opportunity in the game. The wrist shot from the slot by Jordan Martel best former teammate goaltender Antoine Samuel for Drakkar first goal at 6:52.
Unable to take advantage on first two power play opportunities, Quebec tied the score with 1:16 remaining in the opening period scoring at even strength. Making first save on Pascal Laberge shot, Baie-Comeau goaltender Francis Leclerc can’t do anything on rebound taken by Philipp Kurashev putting the puck behind former Blainville-Boisbriand netminder.
Beginning the middle frame on power play for second time in the game Baie-Comeau wasn’t able to take advantage of it. Already scoring Drakkar first goal, Martel came back with his second of the game getting a pass from Bradley Lalonde. Martel wrist shot beat Antoine Samuel on his right side with 16:13 to go in the middle frame.
Baie-Comeau came back later in the period taking a two-goal lead for first time in the game. A turnover behind Quebec net by defenseman Andrew Pico led to Drakkar third goals in that game. D’Artagnan Joly made pass to former Quebec winger Luke Kirwan living no chance to Quebec goalie beating Samuel on right side at 15:54. For Kirwan it was his 19th of the season, his eighth in 14 games since he was traded to Baie-Comeau for Antoine Samuel.
Going 0-in-3 with a man advantage in the game Quebec finally got a goal on power play cutting Drakkar leads to only one goal. Olivier Garneau redirected a shot from Philipp Kurashev for his 19th of the year with 1:57 remaining.
Trailing by one, Jesse Sutton redirect a shot from teammate defenseman Etienne Verrette 9:30 into third period forcing both teams to go in overtime. For Quebec, it was their third times in last four games, latest two won by the same score 5-4.
Showing a record of 11-5 in 17 attempts in overtime getting two of five loses in shootout, Quebec went in overtime for a 18th time. Defenseman Benjamin Gagne and center left winger Jesse Sutton were the best in overtime scoring game winning goal three times each.
Quebec won for 12th time in 18 presence in overtime as Matthew Boucher and Jesse Sutton went on breakaway with Sutton beating Francis Leclerc over his left shoulder with a backhand shot at 3:33 of the overtime period.
Quebec will return home on Tuesday night hosting Victoriaville Tigres.
Five other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday night
Chicoutimi 2 vs. Charlottetown 3
Victoriaville 2 vs. Drummondville 0
Val-d’Or 0 vs. Rimouski 6
Moncton 2 vs. Cape Breton 5
Shawinigan 8 vs. Saint John 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.