Quebec rally past Shawinigan

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Losing their last two meetings against Shawinigan, Quebec came from behind scoring twice in the third period to sign a 3-2 win over the Shawinigan Cataractes. Goals from Alexandre Drapeau his first in the QMJHL and Derek Gentile led Quebec to victory. Evgeny Kiselev in goal earns first stars making 32 saves on Shawinigan 34 shots.

In the first period, dominated by Shawinigan (11-5) in shots on goal, the Cataractes were the first to open the scoring. Driving to the net after making first pass defenseman Samuel Girard redirect a shot by Mathieu Olivier beating Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev 2:31 into the period. Playing 22 games with the Cataractes Girard got 20th points in his last 22 games with the team since been back from NHL training camp.

After being hit along the board by Quebec left winger Yanick Turcotte, Simon Benoit dropped his gloved but Remparts forward got slight advantage both earned five minutes for fighting.

Already 0-in-1 with man advantage, Quebec took advantage of five minutes of power play to tie the game one all. Philipp Kurashev redirect a pass from Jonathan Bourcier behind Shawinigan goaltender Mikhail Denisov at 15:28. Mathieu Benoit was the one who had been tousle out of the game for hitting from behind against Quebec left winger Matthew Boucher.

If opening period provided lots of action for fans in Centre Gervais auto, the second one gave less even if the crowd favorites regained the lead in second half of middle frame.

Shawinigan missed an excellent chance at the beginning of the second period as Samuel Guilbault on breakaway saw Quebec netminder frustrated him with glove save.

But after both team traded power play chances without been able to score, Shawinigan scored the only goal of the middle frame just as teammate Charles Taillion came out of penalty box.

As it often happens when a team missed a scoring opportunity on one side the other score a goal. That is exactly what happened on Cataractes unique goal in second period. As Quebec forward Louis-Philip Cote missed a chance against Shawinigan netminder Denisov, Samuel Asselin beat Kiselev with 3:25 remaining to the second period in a three-on-one breakaway.

Quebec defenseman Alexandre Drapeau brought both team back to square one as the Remparts defenseman scores his first in QMJHL in three-on-one breakaway. Playing another solid game for Quebec Olivier Garneau made the pass at 2:48.

Quebec came back taking the lead for first time in the game. Pressuring Shawinigan in their own zone Jesse Sutton and Sean O’Brien put lots of pressure leading to Derek Gentile one-timer from slot living no chance to Shawinigan netminder at 7:23.

Quebec will be back in action on Saturday night to complete a three games in four nights hosting Rimouski Oceanic.

Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night.

Val-d’Or 3 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 5

Rouyn-Noranda 2 vs. Charlottetown 3 (shootout)

Cape Breton 0 vs. Moncton 4

Victoriaville 5 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 3

Halifax 4 vs. Chicoutimi 1

Saint John 2 vs Drummondville 5

Sherbrooke 2 vs. Rimouski 7

Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com