Quebec return home, defeat Victoriaville

Victoriaville goaltender James Povall keeping eyes on Quebec forward Mikael Robidoux photo courtesy of Remi Garneau of infosportquebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Coming back from their toughest road trip, with game in Moncton and Cape Breton Quebec came back home playing a solid game in front of their fans offering them a 4-1 win against Victoriaville Tigres. Matthew Boucher with three goals, two in the third period with less than three minutes to play in the game led Quebec offense as he was named the first star of the game.

Dominated 17-7 in shots on goal Quebec opened the scoring with 3:18 to play in the opening period. The perfect pass from Mathieu Ayotte to Quebec captain Matthew Boucher, scoring his 25th of the season. Boucher backhand shot from the slot, beat Victoriaville goaltender James Povall over his right shoulder.

Victoriaville best scoring opportunity came from the stick of Ivan Kosorenkov, but Quebec goalie Evgeny Kiselev kept the door closed preserving his team lead. Quebec played with 11 forwards seven defensemen following a two-game suspension to Yanick Turcotte following a hit to the head in third period of last game.

Quebec had several power play chances to add to their lead. The After their first man advantage of 42 seconds, Philippe Boucher’s team got a second one of full two minutes another of four-on-three for 1:10 but Quebec finally scored a second goal on a five-on-four for 50 seconds as Remparts defenseman Christian Huntley wrist shot from the slot, beat Tigres netminder Povall, on his right side at 13:57. Louis-Filip Cote and Samuel Hould got the assists.

Victoriaville defenseman Jeremie Beaudin (71) watching Quebec forward Philipp Kurashev (96) photo courtesy of Remi Garneau of infosportquebec

Going 0-in-4 with a man advantage in the game Victoriaville broke through on their fifth power play opportunities with 4:46 remaining in the third period as Alexandre Goulet scored his 27th of the regular season.

Already scoring Quebec first goal in the game Matthew Boucher earns the first stars of the game completing his hat trick with Quebec last two goals in the game. Boucher scored Quebec third goal with 2:27 to play in the period and completed his hat trick in an empty net with 12.6 seconds on the clock.

“It was good, we came back from possibly our toughest road trip of the year, to come back home in front of our fans and played a great game like this one, it is always great.” Quebec captain Matthew Boucher near the locker room after the game.

As the team didn’t played up to what the coaches expected the author of the hat trick didn’t seem to agree with the reporter.

“I don’t think we didn’t play a bad first period, they have had great beginning but we staid solid defensively, we limited their scoring chances, scoring a goal in the first period even if we might be outworked in first period, and we came out as winner, so it was cool.”

For Victoriaville head coach Louis Robitaille his team did not play their kind of game but he gave credit to Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev.

Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev earns first stars making 33 saves out of 34 Victoriaville shots photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

“He made several acrobatic saves to begin the game,” admitted Tigres head coach Robitaille. “It gave them confidence, ultimately for a young team they played very good game, they protected their goalie they protected key area, we didn’t paid enough price to score more goals. Kiselev stopped what he was able to see, we shoot more from the perimeter. Sure their first goal hurt us but we were more undisciplined, we took more penalties after the whistle, we were the one that generated more offense, we were faster than them, we began to cut our bench we you took bad penalties and in second period they took the advantage in the game.” Concluded Visitor head coach Robiltaille.

On Quebec side the head coach Philippe Boucher gave credit to his player and especially his netminder Kiselev.

“All our wins are team wins, great win yes, we asked ourselves the coaching staff what we should expect against Victoriaville, and honestly I didn’t know.” Admitted Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher.

Quebec defenseman Raphael Maheux taking care of Victoriaville forward Maxime Contois along the board photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

“Victoriaville is a very good team lots of great players, we seem to play well against them but tonight beginning in front of our net (Gino) Evgeny Kiselev he was very very solid, defensively we played very well it was little bit harder in the beginning they took control but we didn’t panic, we did things great and he (Kiselev) kept us into the game. After that we executed well and found a way to score goals.” Remparts head coach Boucher said.

Quebec next game will be this Friday at home in Videotron Center facing Sherbrooke.

Only one other game was on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday

Rimouski 2 vs. Shawinigan 4

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