QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Playing their second game in a three games in four nights in the Maritimes territory Quebec registered their second victory winning 5-2 against the Moncton Wildcats. Acquired on January 6 with Matthew Groutchy from Charlottetown Islanders, Gregor MacLeod earned the first star of the game scoring two goals adding one assist for three points.
Quebec scored the only goal in the initial period with only 18.3 seconds remaining. Quebec defenseman Andrew Pico long shot went thought traffic before seeing center Gregor MacLeod redirecting teammate defenseman beating Moncton goaltender Mark Grametbauer to his right side.
Before that the Wildcats got three good scoring chances, Anderson MacDonald with two, Damiil Miromanov got possibly the best one and Jacob Pelletier got the other.
Before Quebec first goal, Matthew Boucher with two and Matthew Groutchy got Quebec best scoring chances.
After fans saw only one goal scored in first period, the second one offered much action as five goals were scored three by Quebec two by Moncton.
Ending the first period scoring the unique goal of the first period, Quebec continued on a strong note with six shots against only one in first five minutes of the middle frame.
MacLeod scored his second of the game beating Moncton netminder Grametbauer on his left side with 14:01 to play.
Moncton get on scoreboard for first time in the game. Jeremy McKenna beat Quebec goaltender Antoine Samuel with 11:08 remaining in second period.
Quebec defenseman Tomas Dajcar with his first in the QMJHL beat Wildcats goalie from the slot at 16:13. Just as Quebec regained his two-goal lead, teammate center Philipp Kurashev Quebec Quebec a three-goal lead for first time in the game beating Grametbauer to his right side 2:02 later after first Wildcats goal.
The penalty to Quebec captain Mattheww Boucher proved to be costly since the Wildcats cut Quebec lead to two goals with Nicolas Welsh fifth of the season as he beat Quebec netminder under his right arm with 1:19 remaining to the middle frame.
A penalty to Moncton left winger Anderson MacDonald gave Quebec a third power play opportunity with only 19 seconds gone in the third period. Going 0-in-2 with a man advantage Quebec regained their three goal leads as Matthew Boucher scored his 23rd of the regular season 1:03 into the third period.
Leading by three with 1:40 remaining to play, Wildcats head coach Darren Rumble decided to pull his starting netminder but a penalty to Alexandre Kovanov forced Moncton head coach to send Grametbauer in.
Quebec will end their three games in four nights in Saint John facing the Sea Dogs.
Five other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night.
Cape Breton 4 vs. Halifax 5 (overtime)
Acadie-Bathurst 7 vs. Saint John 3
Rimouski 1 vs. Sherbrooke 2
Charlottetown 4 vs. Baie-Comeau 5
Victoriaville 3 vs. Drummondville 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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