QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — In a game where most fans came to see the visit of Jonathan Huberdeau and the Saint John Sea Dogs, Quebec won 5-2 against the defending QMJHL champion. Two goals by Adam Erne combined with an excellent performance by Quebec netminder Francois Brassard were key in the Remparts ninth win in their first ten games.
Quebec%27s Adam Erne photo by Serge Poulin
Fans coming to the game in Quebec on Wednesday night were curious to see what the Sea Dogs look like after losing many of their players after winning the QMJHL championship in 2011-12.
After slow start in the first portion of initial period Quebec took a 2-0 lead scoring their first two goals on Sea Dogs goalie Sebastien Auger. Thinking he had made the save, Saint John goaltender saw Adam Erne slide the puck under Auger at 9:44 of first period.
Playing his first game after being on injury list for a couple games Samuel Gauthier scored Quebec’s second goal taking a rebound following first shot by Nick Sorensen at 13:07.
Usually playing on the fourth line, Gauthier was certainly pleases after scoring his first of the year.
“It’s fun to break the ice, especially in Quebec” was first words said to reporters after the game by Sebastien Gauthier. “I didn’t really see the puck, I hit the puck and when I turned the puck was in. I can’t say exactly what happened but I scored the goal.”
Quebec%27s photo by Serge Poulin
“Sure it was an important goal we only lead by one, it’s cool especially for a fourth line, scoring a big goal is always funny for the team.” Gauthier continued.
Trailing by two Saint John cut the Quebec lead in half when defenseman Olivier Leblanc let a shot go from the blue line beating Brassard just under his glove at 18:32.
On first of two Saint John goals, the Quebec netminder said, “I saw Leblanc’s shot at first but the puck seemed to take weird bounced and I think I made one too many move and the puck went in.”
With the game on the line leading by one (3-2) in third the Ottawa Senators’ sixth round pick (92nd overall) in 2011 kept his team in the game making three key saves two against Sea Dogs center Andreas Tsogkas.
“Sure it was satisfying, it is my role this year to keep the team in the game when we have the lead, and I think that’s what happened tonight.” Brassard said.
Quebec came back only 1:54 later after seeing Saint John reduce Remparts lead. Mikhail Grigorenko repaired Erne on a two-on-one breakaway and the Quebec left winger only had to redirect the puck in for his second goal of the night.
Ranked as the best power play in the league with 35.7 percent (15-in-42) Quebec looks too much for the picture play, result, Quebec was unable to take advantage of a five-on-three to begin the middle frame.
Quebec%27s Mikhail Grigorenko photo by Serge Poulin
Saint John scored the only goal in the second period thanks to the man-advantage following first penalty to Quebec in the game to Logan Shaw.
Taking advantage of a loose puck in Brassard crease crowded, Jonathan Huberdeau, the Florida Panthers first round selection (18th overall) in 2009, didn’t wasted time and put it behind Quebec netminder for Saint John second goal at 16:20.
Quebec came back in the third with two more goals. Grigorenko in an empty net at 19:08 and Pierre-Maxime Poudrier in an empty net while his team played shorthanded with seven seconds remaining in the game.
“He has a very great season to begin with, I haven’t a word to say against his performance,” Quebec head coach Patrick Roy said about his goaltender performance.
“When the Sea Dogs showed their teeth, he was able to make the key saves to keep us in the game.”
“I didn’t know what would I say when I come here,” said Roy answering a question referring to the game was like a chess game. I have some situations I like others don’t. I found they did a better job in the battle one-on-one along the board they had a better cohesiveness than us, in certain situations we look for the perfect play. It’s funny because, if you look the goals we scored you can’t find perfect play.
Saint John%27s Sebastien Auger photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec will play their next two games on the road. First stop will be in Victoriaville on Friday facing the Tigres. On Sunday Quebec will play in Drummondville acing the Voltigeurs.
Other news in the QMJHL:
The Telus player of the week in QMJHL for the week between October 8 and 14 were Sven Andrighetto (9 points in 4 games, 3 goals) from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Angelo Micelli (8 points, 4 goals) of the Victoriaville Tigres and goaltender Antoine Bibeau (22 saves in shutout against Saint John Sea Dogs and 21 other saves in 4-3 overtime wins against the Acadie-Bathurst Titans.
The Val-d’Or Foreurs fired their head coach Marc-Andre Dumont on Tuesday October 15, 2012, replacing him by assistant coach Mario Durocher.
Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday
Sherbrooke 6 vs. Cape Breton 5 (overtime)
Acadie-Bathurst 3 vs. Moncton 4 (overtime)
Halifax 7 vs. Prince Edward Island 5
Blainville-Boisbriand 3 vs. Rimouski 1
Chicoutimi 5 vs. Baie-Comeau 4 (shootout)
Shawinigan 3 vs. Gatineau 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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