QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing Rimouski always represents a great source of motivation for Quebec and it can be an excellent opportunity to put an end to a losing streak. That’s exactly what happened on Saturday night in front of an announced crowd of 15,014 happy fans.
Photo by Serge Poulin
For one, the captain Tam, played very well in his own zone playing physical and making great passes ending his night with (1g-1a). For his part, Barnard who had some discussion with his coach in the morning used his main asset, his shot (one-timer) from the blue line scoring two goals. He also didn’t miss any chance to make his presence felt using his body along the board to make other player to think twice before going on his side.
“It didn’t go well for too long lately,” said Barnard (Shotgun as he is known by the announcer at le Colisee Pepsi). “We stepped our game up tonight after talking with the coach this morning. I personally met with Pat (head coach Patrick Roy) to see what I can do to help the team. I’m very happy, it’s a team victory and everybody contribute. The feeling of a victory is unforgettable.”
Answering questions about his own performance after being pointed out by his coach the night before, Barnard said, “You have two ways to answer when you are criticized, whether you use it as a motivation factor to perform better or you crumble down. We used it as a motivation to perform.”
Fans who came to see their favorite had to wait until almost the end of first period before enjoying the first goal of the game. A penalty to Rimouski defenseman Gleason Founier for cross checking at 18:54 gave chance to Quebec to finally draw the first blood after three previous missing attempts.
Barnard beat Oceanic goaltender Morgan Clark with a one-timer on his stick side with 32 seconds remaining in the opening period. Quebec doubled the shots on goal in first period 12-6 leading 1-0 with one power play goal on four attempts.
If you look for a word that could describe the second period on the visiting side, it was undisciplined. Rimouski gave seven power plays opportunities to their opponent in middle frame alone.
After seeing Rimouski left winger Patrick Delisle-Houde tying the score 1-1 deflecting a shot from the blue line by Felix Lefrancois at 3:52 during a penalty to Quebec Frederick Roy, Rimouski saw the referee send three Oceanic players in the box for penalties that could have been prevented with more discipline from Clement Jodoin’s team.
Photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec scored four goals in the second period, three of them with a man advantage.
John Audy-Marchessault who was also singled out by his coach in the last game against Victoriaville made it 2-1 for Quebec with his 35th goal of the season at 9:53.
Frederick Roy scored third Quebec goal when he tipped a shot from the blue line by Mikael Tam at 11:44. Last two Quebec goals were scored in span of 1:45 minutes.
That goal was the subject of conversation after the game by Rimouski head coach Jodoin. The Oceanic head coach insisted the third goal scored by Quebec should not have counted because of a broken stick.
Jodoin said of the goal, “First of all the third goal by Quebec shouldn’t count because of a broken stick. It should be a two-minute penalty. The player made his pass and they scored on this. They were four referees to see it and they don’t. For me I say it was a momentum in the game. It change the momentum, we all are there on our bench everyone saw it. They are four referees and no one seems to see it. The goal isn’t good.”
Continuing on the same subject the Oceanic coach said, “The stick was broken so you have a page in the rule book they (the referees) forgotten.”
Barnard on a similar play of his first goal scored Quebec fourth goal of the game also with two men advantage, the second in second period with 1:14 remaining to the five-on-three. Remparts defenseman Mikael Tam complete his team offensive for the night scoring Quebec fifth goal of the game deflecting a shot a shot previously taken by Roy (Frederick).
In the third, Rimouski scored their second and last goal in the game with a man up at 8:11. Alex Belzile was the author of Rimouski second goal tipping the puck between Quebec goaltender Louis Domingue’s pads.
Patrick Roy entered the press room for his post game press conference happy to see his team losing streak to end.
Photo by Serge Poulin
“We made changes that benefited us, we played very well tonight, the Oceanic would like to be undisciplined and I think it would be important to take advantage of every opportunity we have had,” Roy said. “It’s not after whistle we need to show we are good it’s during the game; I think we show we could stay discipline even if our opponent wasn’t. We found a way to score four big goals on nine power plays.”
Quebec will go on the road for their next three games, visiting Rouyn-Noranda on Tuesday March 1, they will go in Val-d’Or playing the Foreurs on Wednesday March 2nd and they will end their road trip playing Drummondville on Sunday March 6.
Their next home game will be Wednesday March 9th with Chicoutimi Sagueneens with Guy Carboneau as new head coach.
Other games in the QMJHL
Chicoutimi 4 vs. Baie Comeau 1
Gatineau 2 vs. Shawinigan 1
Saint John 1 vs. Victoriaville 2
Halifax 0 vs. Cape Breton 3
Acadie-Bathurst 8 vs. Val-d’Or 3
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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