Quebec sweep Rimouski over the weekend

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing a strong game, dominating first forty minutes not only in shots on goal (26-13) but also on scoreboard (3-0) after two periods, Quebec registered a second win over their arch-rival Rimouski, winning 5-2 over the Oceanic. Pierrick Dube played key role offensively with two goals and one assist.

Dominating 13-1 in shots on goal with 7:39 left to play in the opening period, going 0-in-1 with a man advantage, Quebec opened the scoring on their second power play opportunity.

Patient with the puck, Quebec defenseman, Etienne Verrette made perfect pass to Brandon Frattoreli beat Rimouski goaltender Colten Ellis on backhand shot on his right side, scoring his second of the year at 12:21.

One name was on everyone lips after first period. Rimouski goaltender Colton Ellis made 12 saves out of Quebec 13 shots. Ellis’ best save was against Andrew Coxhead twice, Pierrick Dube and Thomas Caron before the former Gatineau Olympiques forward Frattoreli scored unique goal in first period.

Oceanic began second period with one of its best leaders in penalty box for 10 minutes as he earned a misconduct at the end of first period.

Continuing their domination in middle frame 23-13 (13-7) after forty minutes of play, Quebec added two more goals. Going 1-in-4 with a man advantage, Quebec was the beneficiary of five-on-three power play for 1:33 seconds following a penalty to Oceanic forward Charles-Edward D’Astous, teammate defenseman Radim Salda already was in penalty box.

Seeing the puck coming back right on his stick following first shot by teammate Philipp Kurashev, Pierrick Dube scored his third of the season at 9:35.

Quebec came back 1:09 later scoring its third goal of the game as defenseman Benjamin Gagne long slap shot from the blue line beat Oceanic netminder on his right side.

While Quebec dominated in first forty minutes, third periods belong to the Oceanic shooting 19 times against 4. Charles-Edward D’Astous got the visitor on scoreboard for first time beating Quebec goaltender Anthony Morrone on his right side at 10:44.

Quebec replied 18 seconds later with Matthew Grouchy completing the work of Andrew Coxhead and Pierrick Dube to regain their three goals lead. Coming out on losing end in three of their last four games, trailing by three for second times in the game Rimouski head coach decided to pull his starting netminder Ellis in favor of sixth attackers, in hope to get a second goal. It worked since the first pick overall in 2017 Alexis Lafreniere scored his 7th of the year at 15:22.

Already scoring Quebec second goal, adding an assist in the game, Pierrick Dube scored Quebec last goal in an empty net assuring Perfect weekend as they registering a second victories against arch-rival.

“We couldn’t dream better, it was perfect scenario,” answered the author of Quebec fifth goals, his second in the game adding an assist for three points Pierrick Dube. “We prepared us well for that game, we came out strong, we won both game and we all are happy for that.”

Not being too busy in first two periods, Quebec netminder Morrone made 17 saves out of Rimouski 19 shots in last period.

“Guys played very strong game in front of me, Quebec netminder Anthony Morrone said after the game. “I didn’t had too many shots maybe two (he got six) or too many scoring chances in first two periods but I have had to make saves in third, guys played very strongly in front of me all game and in third it was time I showed what I can do.”

It was another satisfying performance from team in the eyes of Quebec head coach Patrick Roy. “Very, we began the game very strongly, we dominated the first fifteen minutes, at once the shots on goal was 13-1, I was very happy the way we came out. I expected a great opposition from the Oceanic, I listened Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil comment after last game and he wasn’t happy about his team performance. We often are afraid how the opponent will react but we really came out strong,” Roy said.

Losing four out of their last five games Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil didn’t hide after his team bad performance.

“I would like to have three third periods,” answered Oceanic head coach Serge Beausoleil. “We began to skate in third periods, we weren’t there, Remparts were all over the ice, we were like a Midget AAA team. We weren’t there with them. I can’t explained why we came out the way we did. We didn’t hide ourselves tonight, we had two hockey teams, two different levels, we weren’t there,” continued Beausoleil.

Quebec will return in action next Wednesday as Remparts will host Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday afternoon

Charlottetown 10 vs. Saint John 4

Gatineau 4 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 1

Acadie-Bathurst 0 vs. Moncton 7

Drummondville 6 vs. Sherbrooke 2

Rouyn-Noranda 1 vs. Val-d’Or 2

Shawinigan 1 vs. Victoriaville 3

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