QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — After being shutout the night before against Montreal, Quebec played much better against Gatineau defeating them for the third time this season. Beside John Audy Marchessault who ended the night with three points (1g-2a), role players contributed offensively in helping Quebec win at home before leaving to play games on the road next week.
Photo by Serge Poulin
Gatineau replied almost ten minutes later (17:31), during a power play when Christian Ouellet let a slap shot go from inside the blue line tying the score 1-1. Quebec goaltender Jimmy Appleby was screened by players in front of him.
But before the first period ended, Quebec regained the lead when Olivier Hinse made a perfect pass to Joe Dube on a two-on-one breakaway shooting the puck top corner with 27 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Quebec doubled Gatineau in the shots on goal department 12-6.
Quebec took a two goal lead 8:02 in the second period when Remparts defenseman Martin Lefebvre surprised Olympiques netminder with a wrist shot from the point, a shot Clermont would certainly like to see again.
Gatineau reduced the Quebec lead 35 seconds later when a shot by Jean-Gabriel Pageau beat Appleby.
Quebec came back scoring two goals in 36 seconds to never look back.
Even if Gatineau head coach Benoit Groulx didn’t seem to agree to identify this moment as a turning point or a back breaking goals, it didn’t help.
“It’s surely our worst game lately,” Olympiques head coach said after the game. “We saw our defensemen giving up the puck three times directly responsible for three two-on-one against us. When you gave as many scoring opportunities they used it to their benefit. The history of the game isn’t the two goals scored by Quebec in 36 seconds, it our defensemen who gave up the puck all night.”
Photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec rookie defenseman Ryan Culkin’s shot found its way behind Clermont at 17:38 and Frederick Roy at 18:14 made the score 5-2 Quebec after forty minutes.
Culkin gave credit to his veteran partner Guillaume Rousseau when he came time to explain the way he played recently, “He talked to me on and off the ice giving me some pointers about the game. I love playing with him; he is a great “D”.”
Talking about the fact he likes to support the offense, he is the first to recognize the importance of playing good in his own defensive zone.
“It’s always important to play good in our zone but I like to join the rush and get some scoring opportunities,” Culkin added.
Gatineau head coach Groulx decided to makea change in goal sending Francois Lacerte to begin the third period hoping to change the momentum, but despite the Olympiques scoring their third goal by Nicolas Deslaurier, 11th of the season, on a power play 4:20 into the third period it was too late for the visitors.
Quebec closed the book for the game scoring their sixth goal at 11:16. Tomas Filippi took a rebound from Marchessault pushing the puck in an almost empty net.
For one, Quebec head coach Patrick Roy seemed happier after seeing his players stop their losing streak at home at two.
Photo by Serge Poulin
Remparts head coach also praised the works of his role players, “It looked like the same kind of effort all players gave against Victoriaville last Wednesday, everyone performed very well.”
Quebec will have couple days off before beginning their preparation for next Friday night game on the road in Lewiston against the MAINEiacs.
Other games in the QMJHL
Rouyn-Noranda 0 vs. Baie-Comeau 4
Victoriaville 3 vs. Chicoutimi 5
Drummondville 1 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 5
Saint John vs. Halifax
PEI 5 vs. Moncton 2
Cape Breton 0 vs. Lewiston 6
Rimouski 2 vs. Val-d’Or 3
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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