Quebec return home with perfect weekend

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Beginning a four games in the next five nights last Wednesday losing against the best QMJHL team Shawinigan, Quebec took the road for a stretch of three games. After winning in regulation time in Drummondville and in shootout in Sherbrooke, Philippe Boucher’s team had to face Gatineau to end the weekend. After seeing their opponent drawing the first blood in the game, Quebec took control of the game and never looked back as the Remparts won 6-2 over the Olympiques. Quebec defenseman Darien Kielb took charge of the offensive ending the game with two goals.

With Quebec playing their third game in three nights, the visitor seemed a bit disorganized in their own territory as Gatineau opened the scoring. Olympiques right winger Vitalii Abramov surprised Quebec goaltender Callum Booth top shelve with 16:12 to go in the opening period.

Quebec tied the game late in first period as defenseman Darien Kielb shot from blue line went through skates in front to Gatineau goaltender Mark Grametbauer at 14:17.

Quebec came back 4:12 later taking the lead. The shot from right hand defenseman Aaron Dutra has been redirected before beating Olympiques netminder at 18:29. Referee Pascal St Jacques had to look at the video before allowing the goal to Quebec right winger Derek Gentile. Been screened again Grametbauer couldn’t do anything.

Quebec began the second period adding to their lead inside the first three minutes of the middle frame. Ross McDougall shot from the blue line has been redirect by Remparts center Sean O’Brien at 2:26.

Sending their power play unit twice in middle frame Quebec already scoring twice in second period at even strength was unable to add a goal on the board with a man up. While Gatineau had the control of the puck most on the times on first Quebec power play, Philippe Boucher’s team established better control on their second chance but Olympiques goalie made the saves when he had to.

Jesse Sutton scored Quebec fourth goal on penalty shot a 5:27. Sutton had been hooked by Gatineau defenseman preventing Quebec center of a scoring chance.

Gatineau came back 16 seconds later as Abramov the best Olympiques scorers scored his second of the game at 5:53.

Quebec regained their three-goal lead less than four minutes later as Remparts Captain Matthew Boucher scored his fifth of the regular season at 9:43. Aaron Dutra and Dmitry Buynitskiy got the assist on Boucher’s goal. For Dutra and Buynitskiy it was their second assists in the game.

Following a collision in his crease with a Gatineau player, Quebec goalie Callum Booth was unable to put weight on his right leg left the game replaced by Evgeny Kiselev.

Quebec added a sixth goal with less than seven minutes left in the third period. Already scoring Quebec first goal defenseman Darien Kielb scored his second in the game surprising Olympiques netminder on his glove side at 13:13.

Quebec will be back in action next Friday as they will host Rimouski on Friday and will visit Rimouski on next Sunday.

Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday

Rouyn-Noranda 3 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 5

Val-d’Or 4 vs. Halifax 2

Cape Breton 7 vs. Drummondville 2

Rimouski 3 vs. Victoriaville 6

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