QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — In a spectacular offensive game between two arch rivals, Quebec got the final word following the second goal in the game by Philipp Kurashev a power play goal following a controversial penalty to Dylan Montcalm. Leading 6-2 with two-third of the game played Quebec saw Rimouski scoring next four goals to bring the teams back to square one. Already playing four-on-four hockey following minor penalty on both sides, Montcalm was found guilty of hooking by referee Simon Tarte, giving Quebec a four-on-three power play, leading to game winning goal by Kurashev for Quebec 7-6 win. 
Quebec dominated first period in Rimouski scoring a total of four goals in first twenty minutes, scoring first three in the game before Rimouski scored first one. Quebec came back before the period ended scoring their fourth one to regain their three goal leads.
Dmitry Buynitskyi broke the ice for the visitor when his shot beat Alexandre Lagace over his right pad with just 1:35 gone in the initial period.
A turnover in Oceanic zone led to Quebec second goal less than three minutes later. Losing the puck near Oceanic goal to Mathieu Ayotte, teammates Matthew Boucher made perfect pass to Philipp Kurashev scoring his first goal in seven games at 3:12.
Quebec scored a third goal as the shot by Mathieu Ayotte hit a skate before Matthew Boucher deflected the puck behind Rimouski netminder at 11:00.
Rimouski fans in the building got their first chance to salute their favorites when Samuel Laberge beat Evgeny Kiselev over his right shoulder 1:22 seconds after Quebec third goals.
Quebec regained their three-goal lead on a two-on-one breakaway as Matthew Boucher made perfect pass to teammates Mathieu Ayotte scoring his sixth goals in last eight games at 15:41.
Rimouski missed an excellent to playing in shorthanded situation as Alexandre Grise went on Breakaway but Quebec goalie stopped Oceanic center twice keeping visitors three goal leads.
After both teams played offensive first period, the offense still on in the middle frame where teams scores twice each.
Rimouski cut Quebec lead on penalty shot by Maxime Trepagne who scored his first in QMJHL. Trying his best to neutralize Oceanic forward, Quebec defenseman did enough interference preventing Oceanic left winger of a shot as he was almost on breakaway.
Beating Quebec goalie Kiselev five holes (between his pads), Rimouski cut Quebec leads to two goals 2:17 into second period.
Out of the scoring sheet since October 14-2016, (31 games) center Louis Philip Cote redirected a shot from Derek Gentile to score is sixth of the season at 8:25.
Going 0-for-2 with a man advantage in the game Quebec defenseman Benjamin Gagne beat Oceanic netminder with a slapshot from the point at 14:05. It was the first goal scored by a Quebec defenseman in last 15 games. Last one scored by Alexandre Drapeau on last November 12-2016.
Rimouski came back with the last two goals of the second period in 1:20 cutting back Quebec lead to two goals. Beneficiary of their first power play in the game following a penalty to Quebec right winger Mikael Robidoux, Tyler Boland scored his 30th of the regular season beating Quebec goalie with a wrist shot on Kiselev left side exactly at 17:00.
Samuel Laberge came with his second of the game beating Quebec goalie from a shot from the slot at 18:20.
Leading 6-2 after more than a period and half gone in the game Quebec saw their opponent cutting Quebec lead to two goals before the end but Quebec still led by two after two periods of play.
Getting the momentum following last two goals at the end of second periods Rimouski came back with next two goals to bring the two teams to square one at 6-6.
Montcalm scored Oceanic fifth goal as his shot beat Kiselev over left shoulder with Quebec veteran defenseman unable to keep his man at 3:19.
Seeing his starting netminder been beaten five times on 22 shots Quebec head coach decided to pull Kiselev out of the game sending his recent acquisition from Val-d’Or Derek Baribeault in.
Quebec captain Matthew Boucher missed an excellent occasion to give back a three goal leads to his team as he saw Rimouski netminder Lagace made two saves on Boucher’s breakaway with 11:55 remaining.
Denis Mikhnin left no chance to recently coming in the game Derek Baribeault when the former Foreurs netminder has been beaten on Mikhnin one-timer on Baribeault left side a power play goal at 14:18.
Playing four-on-four hockey following minor penalty on each side a penalty call to Oceanic forward Dylan Montcalm for hooking by referee at 15:42 giving a four-on-three power play to Quebec led to the game winning goal scored by Philipp Kurashev his second goal in the game at 16:10 to give a 7-6 win to Quebec.
Quebec next game will be next Tuesday in Baie-Comeau facing the Drakkar
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Victoriaville 3 vs. Halifax 2
Cape Breton 7 vs. Saint John 6
Blainville-Boisbriand 4 vs. Baie-Comeau 3
Shawinigan 4 vs. Val-d’Or 5 (overtime)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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