Quebec surprises Moncton winning first game

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Sweeping their Quarter-finals opponent Charlottetown in four straight games, Quebec had to wait until the final buzzer of other quarter-finals series before knowing their opponent. Coming in Moncton on Thursday night the visitors surprised their opponent winning the first game of the semi-finals series by the score of 4-1. Anthony Duclair and Vladimir Tkachev with two goals each led the Quebec offense.

Dominated by Quebec, 18-9, in shots on goal Moncton scored first goal of the QMJHL semi-final series with 3:43 remaining in the opening period.

With the puck kept in Quebec territory after hitting referee, Wildcats defenseman Garnett Johnson found teammates Kyle Tibbo scoring Moncton first goal in the game beating Quebec goaltender Zachary Fucale who had been the designated starter in the series.

Earlier in the period, Quebec got first scoring chances as Anthony Duclair made perfect pass to center Marc-Olivier Roy who saw his shot been blocked by Wildcats Alexandre Dubeau.

Left alone in the slot former 20-year old center Taylor Burke forced Quebec netminder to make a pad save with 14:08 to play. Quebec already had the best in shots on goal 10-1.

Quebec got a second chance to open the scoring in game one as Tkachev saw Bibeau make pad save against him, and the Mascouche native also made another saves on rebound taken by Jerome Verrier. Quebec dominated the shots on goal 16-2 at that time.

Moncton saw his first chance offensively coming on their first power play opportunity of the series with 8:42 to play. Showing a 25 percent of efficiency with a man scoring 15 goals on 60 power play chances. Intercepting an icing attempted by Quebec defenseman Matt Murphy Cornor Garland got first Moncton opportunity to break the ice.

Quebec continued their domination over Moncton in the middle frame scoring the only goal of the period with the help of the power plays. After not having chance to play with a man up in first period the visitor got three chances striking on the second one to tie the game 1-1.

Showing a 19.2 percent efficiency scoring 10 goals in 52 opportunities Quebec saw Moncton killing first Quebec power play chance with Wildcats left winger Will Smith in the box.

While Moncton had been successful on their first attempt to kill Quebec power play the home team saw their opponent hitting on their second chance with a man advantage as Ivan Barbashev was in the box for Moncton.

Vladimir Tkachev on Quebec 29^th shots on goal beat Wildcats netminder on one-timer following great pass by Anthony Duclair with 8:49 remaining.

Later in the middle frame, Duclair who had been frustrated by Dubeau as the Moncton netminder made glove save on Quebec left winger preventing the visitors to take the lead for first time in the game with 5:00 to play. Defenseman Raphael Maheux took the first shot and the rebound went directly on Duclair stick forcing Dubeau to make a glove save.

Kurt Etchegary missed another great opportunity with 4:17 left but again Dubeau was there to keep his team in the game. Shots on goal after forty minutes of play were 32-18 in favor of Quebec.

Frustrated at the end of second period by Moncton goaltender following a great scoring chance Anthony Duclair came back in third period registering two of Quebec three goals leading to Quebec first victory of the semi-final against Moncton.

Playing four-on-four hockey to begin the third period Duclair wrist shot beat Wildcats netminder giving Quebec the lead for first time in the game.

Already scoring goal with man up Quebec right winger Tkachev the former Wildcats winger came to aunt his former teammates scoring a second goal with man advantage. Left completely alone in the slot Tkachev scores his fifth of the playoff at 8:33.

Scoring what became the game winning goal Duclair came back late in third period scoring his second of the game as his wrist shot left no chance to Dubeau who has been beaten top left corner with 4:32 remaining.

Game two of QMJHL semi-final is set to be on Saturday in Moncton

No other QMJHL Semi-finals series were on schedule on Thursday

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