QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Having seen their three-game winning streak stopped by Blainville-Boisbriand Sunday afternoon, Quebec came to Rimouski with firm intention of starting their three games-in-three nights on the right foot. Trailing twice (0-1) and (2-3) midway through the game, Quebec, came back scoring next four goals, first three inside five minutes in second portion of second period, leading them to a 6-3 win against the Rimouski Oceanic.
Scoring first two Quebec goals, first one to tie the score 1-1 in first period, second one giving Quebec the lead in the game for first time, veteran left winger Luke Kirwan, came back in middle frame scoring his third goal to complete his first hat trick in 2017-18 regular season playing key role in Remparts victory. 
Dominating 15-8 in shots on goal Rimouski took advantage of their second power plays opportunities on four to open the scoring but trailed 2-1 against Quebec after first period.
After seen the visitor killed Oceanic first power play chance as Quebec center Andrew Coxhead was in the box, Rimouski left winger Yannick Bertrand pushed the rebound shot from teammate Dmitry Zavgorodniy behind Quebec goalie Dereck Baribeau with 7:35 remaining into the first period.
Quebec replied with two goals in over two minutes taking the lead for time in the game. Taking advantage of their first power play in the game, as Rimouski winger Chase Stewart was guilty of roughing, veteran left winger Luke Kirwan, scored first of two goals in first period. The Syracuse New-York native, left no chance to Oceanic goaltender to make the save, as Kirwan one-timer beat Colten Ellis over his left shoulder.
Kirwan came back couple minute later redirecting a shot from teammate defenseman Sam Dunn beating Rimouski netminder over right shoulder with only 28 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Trailing by one after the first period, Rimouski began the second period playing a man up for the fourth times in the game. Oceanic netminder Colten Ellis prevent visitor to add to their lead making consecutive saves on Quebec Kirwan, Matthew Boucher and Olivier Garneau.
Going 1-in-4 on power plays, Rimouski tied the score on their fifth power play opportunities. Already scoring first goal in the game Yannick Bertrand scored his second of the game as he redirected a shot from Chase Stewart behind Quebec goalie with 12:56 to go in the middle frame.
Home team regained the lead for the second times in the game with an even strength goal. Dmitry Zavgorodniy on a perfect pass from teammate Carson MacKinnon made the score 3-2 in favor of the Oceanic with 8:46 remaining to the second period.
Quebec came back with the next three goals in less than five minutes to lead 5-3 after forty minutes of play. Already registering two goals in the game Quebec veteran left winger complete his hat trick bringing back both teams to square one only 12 seconds later after Rimouski third goals. Kirwan beat Ellis with a backhanded shot between the Oceanic netminder with 6:36 to go.
Quebec captain Matthew Boucher gave visiting team a two goal lead (5-3) scoring Quebec second power plays on their fifth power play opportunities. Boucher redirect a shot from teammate defenseman Christian Huntley playing on four-on-three at 15:25.
Allowing five goals on 17 shots Rimouski head coach decided to make goalie change. Pulling starting netminder Colten Ellis, Jimmy Lemay came in with 6:46 remaining in middle frame.
Quebec add a sixth goal as defenseman Sam Dunn shot from the blue line beat Rimouski goalie Jimmy Lemay on his left side at 16:20 of the third periods.
Quebec will return to action right the next night playing the second games of the three-in-three as they will host Val-d’Or Foreurs on Friday night.
Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Thursday
Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Halifax 2
Sherbrooke 5 vs. Saint John 4
Acadie-Bathurst 5 vs. Victoriaville 1
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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