Quebec sweep Charlottetown Gauthier hat trick leads Quebec offense

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Winner of the first three games in their quarter-final series Quebec had the possibility of ending the series by registering a fourth straight win. Quebec left winger Guillaume Gauthier scores three goals leading the visitors to their fourth straight wins by the score of 5-2 to earn the right to play in the QMJHL semi-final.

Quebec played the game minus one of their key defenseman, Ryan Graves, following the five-minute major and ejection in game three. With the absence of Graves, Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher replaced him with Brian Lovell. Remparts logo Oct 13

Faced with a do or die game after losing first three games of their quarter-final series, Charlottetown began game on strong note dominating Quebec in shots on goal 5-1 but also more importantly scoring the first goal of the game with only 2:33 gone in the opening period.

Like the preceding game, the Islanders didn’t miss their opportunity breaking the ice on their first power play opportunity. With Quebec center Kurt Etchegary been guilty of checking from behind Ryan Johnson redirect a shot from Filip Clapik behind Quebec goaltender Zachar Fucale.

Showing a record of 2-in-14 in that series and 9-in-49 since the playoff began, Quebec also took advantage of their power play opportunity to tie the game. With defenseman Guillaume Rioux-Legault earning a four minutes penalty for head butting, Quebec scores on the second two of four minutes power play.

Defenseman Raphael Maheux slap-shot from the blue line found tiny space under Charlottetown Daryl MacCallum left arm with 11:09 remaining to play in the opening period. Trailing 5-1 in shots on net in first 5:00 of the first period Quebec ended it leading 12-8 in shots on goal.

Second period began with an excellent scoring chance for Charlottetown following a turnover along the board by Quebec forward Guillaume Gauthier. Quebec netminder Made key save on Sprong breakaway to prevent the home team to take the lead.

Guilty of the turnover that almost led to Charlottetown goal, Quebec left winger Guillaume Gauthier scored the next two goals for the visiting team. Driving to the net following first shot taken by Marc-Olivier Roy, Gauthier took the rebound and beat him under right arm with 15:11 to go in middle frame.

Quebec left winger came back less than six minutes later in perfect tic-tac-toe play with teammates Anthony Duclair and Roy. Left completely alone on MacCallum right side Gauthier only had to put the puck in almost empty net at 10:04.

Been found guilty consecutive penalty to Jerome Verrier and Vladimir Tkachev on same play gave to Charlottetown a five-on-three for full two minutes. With 1:11 to go to Tkachev penalty Sprong goal brought his team to only one goal differences.

Quebec regained their two goals lead as Gauthier completed his hat trick on perfect pass from Marc-Olivier Roy. Left completely alone in slot Quebec left winger beat Islanders goaltender MaCallum under right pad 2:30 into the third period.

Matt Murphy scored Quebec’s fifth goal in an empty net with 40.9 seconds in third period.

Winning their own quarter-final series in four straight games, Quebec will have to wait the end of other quarter-finals series before knowing their next opponent.

No other quarter-finals series were n QMJHL schedule on Thursday

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

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