Quebec sign OT win against Val-d’Or

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing their last two games in Abitibi before Christmas break, Quebec made their first stop in Val-d’Or on Thursday night. Trailing 2-0 in first half of second period, Quebec successfully made their comeback scoring first goal in second period, their second (tying goal) in third periods completing their come from behind with overtime goal with the second of the game by left winger Olivier Garneau.

Both teams got chances to break the ice in opening period but neither was successful. Val-d’Or got first chance on power play as Quebec left winger Matthew Boucher, has been found guilty of interference, 16 seconds in.

Playing without one of their key players, Philipp Kurashev gone to World Junior Championship training camp for his Swiss country, Quebec lostcanother important player in Mikael Robidoux after Foreurs David Henley has been ejected of the game for Checking from behind at 5:07.

Playing five-on-four, Quebec has been the beneficiary of a five-on-three for 1:17 and a five-on-four for 35 seconds without been able to break the ice either. Luke Kirwan (1), and Andrew Coxhead (2) got great scoring opportunities in for period for the visitor but on each occasions young 16-years old Jonathan Lemieux made the save.

Val-d’Or left winger Yan Dion and Nicolas Ouellet got great scoring chances for the Foreurs but Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau also closed the door for the Remparts.

After scoreless first period, three goals were scored in the middle frame. Val-d’Or drew first blood in the game on controversial goal. Ivan Kozlov beat Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau on his right side at 8:34 on great pass by teammate Maxim Mizyurin. The goal needed to be reviewed by referee due to possible offside but the goal has been allowed after further review.

Val-d’Or came back 7:03 later with Nicolas Ouellet 14th of the regular season beating Quebec netminder under right arm with 4:24 remaining in the second period. Simon Lafrance and Adam Cheezo got the assists.

Quebec replied with their first goal of the night with 3:46 to play in the second period. Being perfect on first Quebec first 20 shots, first 12 in second frame, Foreurs goaltender Jonathan Lemieux didn’t has had no chance on Quebec center Jesse Sutton who only had to redirect a pass from Derek Gentile.

Trailing by one after forty minutes of play Quebec came back in third tying the score 2-2 on Olivier Garneau goal as he took a rebound shot from teammate defenseman Christian Huntley with 5:08 remaining in the third periods.

As neither team was able to score another goal in the remaining time in third periods, both teams needed to go in overtime before finding a winner.

In an exciting overtime period, playing three-on-three, Quebec completed their comeback winning against Val-d’Or on second goal of the game by forward Olivier Garneau. Creating a turnover picking up the buck on Quebec own blue line the number 14 pushed the puck going on a breakaway to beat young Foreurs netminder giving 3-2 win to Quebec at 4:34 of the fourth periods.

Quebec next game will be on Friday their last game before Christmas visiting Rouyn-Noranda.

No other game was on QMJHL schedule on Thursday night

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