Quebec-center-Jeremy-Laframboise-19-on-face-off-in-offensive-zone-photo-courtesy-of-Jonathan-LHeureux-of-infosportquebec
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Coming from behind twice in first 38 minutes of play Quebec took the lead for first time with 1:10 remaining in the second period. Phoenix came back in the third with Yaroslav Alexeyev goal sending both teams to overtime. Sowing a perfect 4-0 record in those circumstance, been 2-in-6 with a man up Quebec got another chance a seventh one to play a man up in the game. Playing four-on-three as team plays usually a three-on-three in overtime, captain Matthew Boucher played the hero scoring his seventh of the season at 1:59 giving a 4-3 win against Sherbrooke registering their fifth victory of the season.
“For sure it help the confidence, when you got scoring chances and you can’t put it in it, it was hard mentally, but scoring one it will help me for sure. Quebec left winger Olivier Garneau said after scoring Quebec first goal in the game.
Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher wasn’t really happy about the way his player began the game but as the game went on team played better.
“I didn’t like our first period, we were flat, we look like Friday night in our game in Shawinigan, I didn’t why, a bad goaltender outing was the only chance we gave, I want us to be offensive, creative, I want us to do good things with the puck,” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said.
“Inthe second period it went very well for us but in the third things seem to hooting up for us. Sherbrooke played like desperate team, a team that want to win it gave us some difficulties but in overtime we found a way to win.” Ended Quebec head coach Boucher.
Sherbrooke opened the scoring in shorthanded situation as teammate defenseman Cornor Senken was in the box. A bad outing by Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau led to visitor first goal. Taking the puck in left corner Mathieu Olivier shot hit Remparts netminder before going in with only 2:12 gone.
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Quebec best scoring chance came in a two-on-one breakaway. Mikael Robidoux made pass to Olivier Garneau who saw his wrist shot been save by Phoenix goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick.
Ranked 10th scoring 18 times in 80 opportunities at 20 percent power play, Sherbrooke was 0-in-2 on their first two attempts. Killing the 1:18 seconds of Sherbrooke power play to begin the second period, Quebec got another great scoring opportunity as Quebec forward, Olivier Garneau, on breakaway, forced Phoenix netminder to use his glove to make the save.
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Been 0-in-1 with man advantage Quebec tied the score on their second power play in the game. Been frustrated earlier on breakaway Olivier Garneau shot from the slot beat Sherbrooke netminder on stick side at 6:40.
Visitor regained the lead on Quebec turnover by Garneau. Forgotten in the slot Benjamin Tardif beat Quebec goalie between his pads at 10:16.
Been 1-in-3 with man advantage, Quebec took advantage of their fourth power play in the game. Making the save on Garneau shot Sherbrooke netminder wasn’t able to do anything as Derek Gentile scoring his fifth of the season at 13:00.
Quebec took the lead for first time in the game with 1:10 remaining in middle frame. Quebec captain Matthew Boucher made great pass to Luke Kirwan scoring his 5th of the regular season. For veteran Quebec forward Kirwan, he has five points in his last six games.
Leading by one to begin the third period, Quebec saw the visitor tying the score at 13:29 as Yaroslav Alexeyev scored his fifth of the year forcing both teams to play in overtime.
Sherbrooke got several chances to end the game but each time Baribeau stood up to make the save. A penalty to veteran forward Nicolas Poulin opened the door to Quebec showing a perfect 4-0 record in overtime.
Matthew Boucher put an end to his own slump as he score the overtime goal to give Quebec the victory at 1:59 of the fourth period.
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For one, Sherbrooke head coach Stephane Julien wasn’t happy about the way referees called the game.
“We try to get ourselves out of the hole presently and we were much undisciplined,” said Julen. “All the penalties taken by our players were deserved one, whether if they deserved some, the way the game was called I would say yes. I’m not really happy about the way the game has been called but we deserved every penalties we got, that wasn’t the problem, when you want to get yourselves out of a hole you have to be discipline tonight we weren’t. We got the chance to get two points, we got only one because our goalie has been excellent. But we are far away of the performance we look for.”
Quebec next game will be in the Videotron Center in Quebec hosting the Halifax Mooseheads.
Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Victoriaville 1 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 4
Charlottetown 2 vs. Halifax 6
Rouyn-Noranda 4 vs. Saint John 5 (overtime)
Gatineau 1 vs. Rimouski 2
Shawinigan 3 vs. Baie-Comeau 4
Drummondville 1 vs. Chicoutimi 2 (shootout)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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