QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Unable to string two wins together in the last two months Quebec won a second consecutive game, shutting out Sherbrooke 4-0. Olivier Mathieu with a goal and assist and Dereck Baribeau with 24 saves registering his first shutout of the year.
Sherbrooke defenseman Julien Bahl trying to immobilize the puck near goalie’s crease photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
Quebec had a better beginning in first period dominating 6-1 in shots on goal with two great scoring chances, both times from the stick of Olivier Garneau. On first time Sherbrooke goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick made left pad save on second occasions the St-Louis Blues draft pick made glove save.
Quebec break the ice with 11:51 remaining in the opening period. Driving to the net following a pass from Olivier Mathieu Derek Gentile beat Fitzpatrick between his pads.
Taking advantage of a turnover intercepting a pass from Phoenix left defenseman Alexander Krief Quebec left winger Olivier Mathieu beat Sherbrooke netminder with wrist shot 2:09 after Quebec first goal in the game 10:18.
Quebec scored three times in first period taking advantage of their first power play opportunity. Mathieu Ayotte shot hit Sherbrooke defenseman Julien Bahl skate bfore going in at 16:39. For Quebec right winger, it was his 12th of the regular season, his 7th in his last 12 games with Quebec.
Quebec dominated shots on goal 15-9.
Sherbrooke goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick a St-Louis Blues second round selection 59th overall in 2016 photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
The visitor opened second period getting great scoring opportunity as Nicolas Poulin backhanded shot, from the slot, has been stopped by Dereck Baribeau glove. A penalty to Mikael Robidoux gave Sherbrooke their first power play. Ranked second with a man up at 28 percent Phoenix didn’t get real great scoring chances.
Igor Larionov Jr scored his third of the year on penalty shot at 6:55 of the third periods gave Quebec a 4-0 lead. The home team has been the beneficiary of a five-on-three for 1:24 followed by a five-on-four for 30 seconds but were unable to add to their leads. Making 24 saves Quebec goalie Dereck Baribeau registered his first shutout this year.
“During the game I didn’t thought about it but in last two minutes yes, but players played really well in front of me,” Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau said when he was asked if he thought about the chance of his first shutout this year.
“They blocked lots of shots so I’m very happy about that game. The post are my best friends,” continued the former Val-d’Or netminder as Sherbrooke hit several post during the game.
“Puck didn’t get in so that is what’s most important. For sure it boost my confidence, I let my teammates down in Moncton having bad start, so when I get in the net today guys were confident to have me to protect the net. Every time you got a bad game it is really important to come back with great performance and it went well.” Ended Baribeau who registered his first shutout.
Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau registering his first shutout making 24 saves photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
Left out of the lineup in last game Olivier Mathieu bounced back player strong game as 16 years old ending his game with 1 goal 1 assist and earning the first stars of the game.
“I wasn’t sure to play the game tonight, I did the morning skate we did the warmup at 21 players so we didn’t know what happened so we have to take the opportunity our head coach give us,” Quebec forward Olivier Mathieu said after the game.
“Two 17 years old with me at 16, Derek (Gentile) axed his game around the patience with the puck, Mikael Robidoux hit everything he skate really well, I adored playing with both of them. If I have the chance to try it again I would like to for sure.” Young 16 years old Olivier Mathieu said.
“We didn’t played first half badly,” answered Sherbrooke head coach Stephane Julien. “We played good first, good second periods but their second goals broke our legs, the turnover we shouldn’t do a pass in the slot. As I said in second we didn’t played bad and the lucky third goal in power play, even before their first goal we lose an empty net, we hit the post on another occasions, we could came back, but the came back and score. This times we have hard times to score goals so it break player’s confidence.” Continued Phoenix head coach Julien.
On Quebec side Remparts head coach Philippe Boucher seem very happy the way his team react after long road trip in Moncton and Cape Breton.
“It always be like that,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher in reference to Olivier Mathieu who had been left out of the lineup in preceding game. “We are 21 players now due to the injuries and suspensions so he should expect to be I the lineup more often, it is good for the kid to know they will play and sometimes the best way to pass our message is to let a guy out of the lineup and it is fun when he answer.”
Quebec right winger Mikael Robidoux (16) trying to get the puck photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infisportquebec
“It was our best line,” continued Quebec head coach Boucher about the line of Gentile, Robidoux and Mathieu. We should be careful about Mathieu he is just 16 years old, it wasn’t really a message, it was just a game but Derek (Gentile) it is been a long time we expect more things from him, he is got offensive abilities we pass lots of time with him last year and this year and it is fun to see how it went.” Ended Quebec head coach Boucher.
Quebec will end their three games in four nights hosting arch-rival Rimouski Oceanic.
Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday
Acadie-Bathurst 6 vs. Cape Breton 4
Moncton 2 vs. Charlottetown 13
Saint John 7 vs. Halifax 4
Rouyn-Noranda 5 vs. Baie-Comeau 2
Drummondville 0 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 6
Rimouski 2 vs. Chicoutimi 4
Val-d’Or 5 vs. Gatineau 7
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.