Quebec rally with big third period in shootout win over Moncton

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Dominating in shots on goal, Quebec saw Moncton takie a 4-0 leads until late in the third period. Scoring first goal on their sixth power play chances Quebec came from behind scoring two goals in 24 seconds, three in 3:11 and scoring their fourth one in 4:36 to force both teams to go in overtime. After an exciting three-on-three overtime, where neither team was able to put the puck behind other netminder, Quebec got the final words in shootout, with Dmitry Buynitskiy and captain Matthew Boucher goals, giving 5-4 shootout win. Losing their last 12 games Moncton came very close to end their losing streak.

Looking for his players to take more shots on goal, Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher certainly would be more satisfied after seeing his team dominate Moncton 11-4 in first period even if the Wildcats came out of the opening period leading 1-0 scoring on their fourth shots on goal.

Fans didn’t have to wait before seeing their favorite getting the first power play. Found guilty for holding Mikhael Robidoux went in the box for two minutes giving to Wildcats their first opportunity with a man up.

Unable to take a shot on goal, the Wildcats were found guilty of slashing as Alexandre Renaud went in the penalty box as both teams played four-on-four hockey for ten seconds giving Quebec their first power play opportunity for 1:35.

Dereck Gentile during a penalty to Moncton Francis Thibeault for cross checking with 9:42 t play lose the puck giving the Wildcats a great scoring opportunity but player hit the goalpost as the Wildcats still look for their first shot on Quebec goalie.

Leading 10-0 in shots on goal Quebec saw Moncton getting their first shot on Quebec netminder Dereck Baribeau with 3:53 to play.

Moncton broke the ice with 1:34 remaining in the first period as Alexandre Renaud beat Quebec goalie Baribeau over left shoulder with a precise shot.

Continuing to dominate in shots on goal in the second period 17-8 after two periods of play, 28-12 after forty minutes of play, Quebec trailed by four 4-0 .

Unable to leave their territory Philipp Kurashev and Matthew Boucher gave up another great scoring chance to the Wildcats that ended with Moncton third goal in the game scored by Connor Senken his second of the season with only 54 seconds into the middle frame. Beaten on his right side Quebec netminder would certainly like to see that shot again.

Going 0-in-2 in first period with a man advantage, Quebec got three other chances to play at five-on-four but again Wildcat goaltender closed the door being perfect on all Quebec 28 shots after two periods of play.

Moncton added two more goals in span of 25 seconds both from Alexandre Renaud completing his hat trick. On Renaud second goal the left winger redirected a shot from Simon Lecoultre with 1:55 remaining to the middle frame.

Renaud completed his hat trick taking a rebound following first save made by Baribeau on Mika Cyr 25 seconds later. Been beaten four times on 12 shots Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher pulled his starting netminder sending veteran Evgeny Kiselev.

Already 0-in-5 with a man advantage, with Wildcats netminder Matthew Waite, Jimmy Waite’s son was perfect up until a penalty to former Quebec Remparts defenseman Duncan MacIntyre.

Quebec scored their first goal on their 38th shots on goal when Shawn Bily beat Moncton netminder Waite with 9:12 to play in the third. Philipp Kurashev 24 seconds later cut Wildcats lead in half scoring Quebec second goal on their 39th shots at 11:12.

Quebec added a third goals in 3:11 as defenseman Christian Huntley from the blue line beat Moncton goalie at 13:59. As Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher ask to Dmitry Buynitskiy to shoot more that is exactly what he did scoring his eighth of the season bringing back both teams to square one as Quebec came from behind scoring a fourth goals in 4:36 seconds to force both teams to play in overtime.

Because neither team was able to put a puck behind other goaltenders a shootout was necessary to determine a winner.

Quebec will end its weekend in Cape Breton on Saturday night visiting the Screaming Eagles.

Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night

Charlottetown 4 vs. Cape Breton 5 (overtime)

Victoriaville 2 vs. Sherbrooke 0

Gatineau 3 vs. Baie-Comeau 6

Halifax 5 vs. Drummondville 4

Blainville-Boisbriand 1 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 3

Chicoutimi 2 vs. Shawinigan 3

Acadie-Bathurst 2 vs. Val-d’Or 3 (overtime)

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