QUEBEC CITYP.Q. — Two goals in the third period by the Quebec Remparts helped the home team to take first game in the best-of-seven semifinal series against the Shawinigan Cataractes in front of 13,642 fans who enjoyed the performance of their favorite team. Mikhail Stefanovich’s goal with 41 seconds gone in third period helped give Quebec their first victory in the series. Frederick Roy, with less than five minutes remaining in the game, had the insurance goal at 16:52. Shawinigan begins the series as the favorite, but outside of a couple of shifts to begin the game, Quebec carried the play. Shawinigan scored the first goal of the game 34 seconds into the first period by Maxime Legault, but Shawinigan Head Coach Eric Veilleux wasn’t too happy about his teams performance. “We didn’t play our game,” was the first comment out of Veilleux’s mouth in explaining his teams performance in the first game of the semifinal. “We did nothing. We have to give credit to them after all, they played pretty well, they played a good game, but on our side, nothing at all. It’s been a long time since I saw a bad performance like that on our part. One week ago, we probably played our best game, but tonight it wasn’t good at all.” Quebec Head Coach Patrick Roy was the first to recognize that his team didn’t see the true Cataractes, but he was happy about his teams work ethic in the opening game of the series. “We played another good game. I adore the way we played, but on the other hand I think the Cataractes didn’t play their best game. I’m pretty sure tomorrow they will get out much stronger.” Charles Lavigne played another solid game by making key saves, especially in third period, but his teammates played very well in front of him. Roy also praised his goaltenders performance, but he is happy about how his teammates played in front of him. “Yes, Charlie played very well, but I think all of his teammates played well too in front of him. We were prepared very well for this game,” said Roy. “Key words for us will be discipline. We saw at the end of the game, we led 33- 32 in the shots department and they got seven shots on goal on their last power play.” Legault was the first to recognize that his team didn’t play well. “We didn’t play our style,” said the Quebec right winger. “We didn’t play like we are able to. We will have to get out stronger tomorrow. We will have to play three periods with intensity like we are able to. We must play like the Cataractes are capable of. We have some offensive punch, solid defense, and we can hit too, I’m the first to give example.” Another player on Shawinigan who agreed with his teammates comments after the game is Simon Lacroix. “The coach said to forget that one and concentrate on tomorrow’s game. We came here with the intention of winning the first one. It didn’t happen, so we need to come out stronger tomorrow.” David Gilbert missed two excellent chances to clear his defensive zone, before Maxime Legault got the puck from Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll and beat Lavigne by pushing the puck on his back hand into an empty net 34 seconds into the opening period. Quebec came back in second period. After taking advantage of a defensive error in Shawinigan zone Kelsey Tessier took the puck in the slot and wristed it into the net, beating Cataractes netminder Timo Pielmeier for first Quebec goal at 5:01. The Remparts took the lead for the first time in the game when defenseman Samuel Grouxl took a rebound from a Mikael Tam shot for Quebec’s second goal at 10:42. A penalty to Remparts center Mathieu Loisel for tripping at 17:25 gave Shawinigan a chance to tie the game at two goals apiece. Philippe Paradis, who is considered the best QMJHL prospect ranked by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau, beat the Quebec netminder with a shot from the blueline at 18:34. Than, Mikhail Stefanovich beat Cataractes netminder Pielmeier with a 30 foot slap shot that gave Quebec a 3-2 lead 41 seconds into the third period. The Remparts got an insurance goal came from the stick of Frederick Roy at 16:52 to seal the first victory for Patrick Roy’s team in the series. Shots on goals by: Shawinigan 40 Quebec 33 Power play opportunities by: Shawinigan 1-3 Quebec 0-4 Three stars: 1- Kelsey Tessier (Que.), 2-Mkael Tam (Que.), 3- Frederick Roy (Que.). In other QMJHL action In Drummondville, indiscipline play by the Rimouski Oceanics proved to be the main reason Clement Jodoin’s team loss 8-1 on the road. Seven of the eight goals scored by the Voltigeurs were with a man advantage. Two out of three in the first period were on power play. Drummondville opened the scoring 11 seconds into the opening period when Marc-Olivier Vachon beat Maxime Gougeon for a 1-0 lead. Two Rimouski veterans took penalties that paved the way to two more Voltigeurs goals to giving Drummondville a 3-0 lead after the first twenty minutes of play. Patrice Cormier (11:22) assisted on Mike Hoffman first goal of the night at 12:07, and defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon (18:19) assisted on Chris DiDominico’s goal to complete the first period. Felix Lefrancois scored Rimouski only goal of the night at even strength with 10:44 gone in the second period. Yannick Riendeau restored Drummondville three goal lead with his 15th of the series at 19:46. The Voltigeurs scored four more goals in third period, all with a man advantage. Sanson Method (7:44), Mike Hoffman his second of the game on the PP (9:59), Gabriel Dumont (14:06) and Charles Landry scored at 19:43 to complete the scoring for Drummondville. Shots on goal: Rimouski 27 Drummondville 51 Power plays: Rimouski 0-2 Drummondville 7-15 Three stars of the game: 1- Mike Hoffman (Dru.), 2- Dmitry Kulikov (Dru.), and 3- Gabriel Dumont (Dru.) Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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