QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — One question was on every fan’s mind before the second confrontation between Quebec and Rimouski: which of the winning streaks would fall? Quebec’s winning streak six or Rimouski’s five straight at home?
Quebec defenseman Owen Werthner kept Quebec’s winning streak alive and giving Quebec their seventh consecutive victory.
Back on Saturday, Quebec won the first meeting between the two teams, 3-2, on a goal by Remparts defenseman Vincent Barnard late in third period.
Rimouski was the first team to get on scoreboard Friday night. Unable to stop Jakub Culek, Werthner, saw the Oceanic left winger make a perfect pass to Francis Beauvillier beating Quebec goaltender between his pads, with a backhand shot with 15:20 to go in the opening period.
A penalty to Rimouski defenseman Etienne Boutet gave Quebec an opportunity to play with a man advantage. On a breakaway, Alexandre Contois’s shot found its way between Oceanic netminder Jacob Gervais-Chouinard’s pads for the tying goal at 8:15.
Rimouski ended the first period on strong note forcing Quebec netminder Louis Domingue to make several key saves on Alex Emond with his right pad. Domingue also closed his pads in the last minute frustrating Alexis Loiseau on a breakaway.
Rimouski dominated first period on shots on goal department 15-6.
Quebec began the second period getting several good scoring chances. Joe Dube did almost everything but wasn’t able to finish it with a goal.
Deflected off Oceanic defenseman Jerome Gauthier-Leduc’s stick the shot by Quebec right winger Mikhail Grigorenko surprised Rimouski goaltender to his left giving Quebec a 2-1 lead at 3:36.
Rimouski came back tying the goal with 6:09 remaining in the second period. Unable to freeze the puck in his half circle following a first shot by Oceanic defenseman Boutet, Alexis Loiseau only had to push the puck behind Domingue, for Oceanic’s second goal.
With 3:22 remaining in second period, a fight broke out between Samuel Morin and Kurt Etchegary. Hit with a solid right hand by Oceanic defenseman, the young Quebec rookie needed help leaving the ice.
Quebec regained the lead with 3.6 seconds remaining in the second period. Unable to get the puck out of Rimouski defensive zone, Quebec center Michael McNamee spotted Vincent Montreuil who scored his first of the year with a backhand shot to Gervais-Chouinard right side.
Two goals were scored in third period on each side.
A turnover in Rimouski defensive zone led to Quebec’s fourth goal of the game. Oceanic defenseman Samuel Morin pass was intercepted by Werthner. After Mathieu Lavalee’s first shot blocked by Gervais-Chouinard, the Quebec defenseman took the rebound and scored with 3:46 gone in the third period. For Werthner, it was his sixth goal of the year.
Missing several good scoring opportunities earlier in the game, Rimouski’s Culek netted the Oceanic’s third goal when the puck slid under Domingue’s right pad.
Making 36 saves on Rimouski 39 shots on goal, Domingue earned the first star of the game. Culek with 1g-2a got the second star and the third star went to Beauvillier with the first goal of the game.
Quebec will be back home after four games on the road this Saturday hosting the Halifax Mosseheads and the sensation Nathan MacKinnon.
Five other games were on schedule in the QMJHL on Friday night
Saint John 2 vs. PEI 1
Victoriaville 6 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 4
Halifax 2 vs. Drummondville 1
Val-d’Or 3 vs. Gatineau 2 (shootout)
Shawinigan 4 vs. Chicoutimi 3 (overtime)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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