QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Winning their first battle Wednesday night in Baie-Comeau (3-2) in regulation time, Quebec needed a shootout before winning the second game in three days by the score of 3-2. Invisible for most of the game captain Matthew Boucher made the difference as he was the only one to scores in shootout.
Quebec goaltender Callum Booth right in the action photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
“We were tired, like I said this morning, we were very tired we had to find a way to win the game. We knew before the game that it wouldn’t be easy, yes we have lots of talent but with a young group like that it is hard to win games only counting on our talent.” Quebec left winger Matthew Boucher said.
“Yes you had lots of young kids on the ice, they all help us at the end to win this game.”
After two scoreless periods where neither team was able to put the puck behind the other goaltenders, the third period, the overtime and the shootout gave some action the 7996 fans who came to see their favorites.
Quebec struck the first with the help of the power play. Already 0-in-4 in the game, Remparts took advantage of additional penalty to Yan Aucoin who has been found guilty of hooking at 6:48. Louis-Philip Cote redirected a shot from Quebec defenseman Ross McDougall to finally get the best on Antoine Samuel at 8:16.
Quebec first round selection in 2016 Andrew Coxhead (20) push both teams in overtime scoring Quebec second goal photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
Playing better in the third period Baie-Comeau replied with two goals in 4:14 taking the lead for the first time. Playing very good hockey for the Drakkar, European forward Ivan Chekhovich took first shot on Quebec goalie. Unable to keep the rebound Matt Jones was there right at the goalie circle and put the puck behind the goal line for visitor first goal at 8:44.
Already having his team’s first goal, Drakkar center Joes came back scoring his second of the game at 12:58.
“We worked hard to get the lead, the goal at the end of the third has been hard, we don’t have to panic, guys were stress and that is when bad bounces come free and we weren’t able to close it. But on the other end I like how we did things in third period, we were more incisive around opponent net.” Explained Baie-Comeau head coach Martin Bernard.
“When we look our record since the season began except for one game we lost all our game by one goal, it come with the fact we didn’t execute faster enough, tonight was better than Wednesday night. We have to find a better way to bring more puck on the net.” Continued Drakkar head coach Bernard.
Baie-Comeau defenseman Samuel Thibault (8) protecting his netminder pushing Quebec Yanick Turcotte (17) photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
Trailing by one Quebec put more pressure around the net in Baie-Comeau zone and finally Quebec tied the game with 1:02 remaining thanks to first round pick in 2016 Andrew Coxhead who scored his second in QMJHL.
“Pretty happy with that one,” were the first words said by young Andrew Coxhead who just turned 17 years old last Wednesday. “I’m not sure, we battling hard, thought we playing well but their goalie played pretty well, we couldn’t get the opportunity we looking for.”
After neither teams scored in overtime the game has been decided by the only one who was able to beat the opponent goaltender. As both known each other Quebec captain Matthew Boucher knew where he would like to shoot and Baie-Comeau netminder Antoine Samuel knew where Quebec forward would like to shoot but Boucher got the best giving Quebec the win in shootout.
Baie-Comeau center Matt Jones (19) scores both Drakkar goals in the game photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
“We had a fact today and we had a tired team,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher after his team needed the shootout before registering their fifth wins. “Even if we would like to hide it, we came back around five o’clock in the morning on Thursday. We knew the fatigue would be a factor, so we would like to keep things simple. That’s what we did and we were successful in our way to find a way to win.” Said Remparts head coach Boucher.
Dominating the first period 13-7 in shots on goal department, beneficiary of a five-on-three power play for 1:21 seconds, Baie-Comeau goaltender Antoine Samuel made several key saves preventing the Remparts of getting on the scoreboard in first period.
Callum Booth for Quebec has been impeccable blocking all 7 Drakkar shots on goal. Quebec got the edge in shots on goal department 36-33.
Quebec will end their weekend going on the road again this time in Chicoutimi facing the Sagueneens.
Five other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night
Gatineau 2 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 5
Moncton 6 vs. Rimouski 10
Saint John 4 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 2
Halifax 3 vs. Shawinigan 6
Drummondville 4 vs. Val-d’Or 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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