Former Quebec Remparts player Andre Savard receiving the honor of seeing his number 12 been hand on the Videotron Center roof photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Back in action after winning their last three games last weekend , Quebec looked forward to facing their arch-rival Rimouski on Friday night. Honoring one of their former players, Andre Savard, who played with the team between 1969 and 1973 the organization retired his number 12 to hang it in Videotron Center roof. The Remparts ended first battle on a victorious note defeating the Oceanic 5-2. Derek Gentile with two goals played a very solid game.
Rimouski began the game playing solid hockey as they dominate the first five minutes before Quebec took control of next four.
Fortunately for Quebec fans Evgeny Kiselev made key saves preventing the Oceanic from breaking the ice.
WHile the Oceanic got the advantage in first five minutes of first period, Quebec got the advantage in next four minutes with great scoring opportunity following a two-on-one breakaway. Jesse Sutton made perfect pass to Louis Philip Cote forcing Rimouski goaltender Alexandre Lagace to make key saves.
Beneficiary of a five-on-three power play for less than a minute Rimouski saw Quebec netminder close the door as Quebec successfully killed the two-man power play advantage.
With less than a minute remaining Quebec goalie Kiselev frustrated Tylor Boland keeping the score 0-0 after first twenty minutes of play.
Quebec first foal scored by Quebec right winger Derek Gentile (27) photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
Quebec missed two great chances to draw first blood in that game in second period. Beneficiary of two consecutive penalties Quebec was unable to take advantage with no real great scoring chances.
After neither team was able to break the ice in first twenty minutes of play Quebec exploded in middle frame scoring four goals in span of 5:42.
Already 0-in-2 Quebec scores twice in 1:18 seconds on two consecutive power play. Derek Gentile opened the scoring redirecting a shot from the blue line from Raphael Maheux at 11:05.
Unable to control the rebound following the shot from Quebec defenseman Raphael Maheux, Christian Huntley beat Oceanic netminder Lagace on glove side at 12:23.
Rimouski got on board 31 seconds later after Quebec second goals goal. Daniel Hardie beat Quebec goalie on his left side at 13:54.
Quebec Remparts player been hit by Oceanic player photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
Quebec replied with next two goals getting a three-goal lead for first time in the game. Yanick Turcotte scores his second of the regular season at 15:58 followed by the first goal in the QMJHL by Dmitry Buynitskiy at 16:47.
Trailing by three to begin the third period the visitor got on board for second times in the game. Making first save on Oceanic left winger Daniel Hardie, the puck still free in Kiselev crease for Alex-Olivier Voyer who flipped the puck over Quebec goalie for Rimouski second goal at 6:50.
Dominating 13-3 in shots on goal in the third the Oceanic saw Derek Gentile scoring Quebec fifth goals his second of the game at 13:31, sealing Rimouski’s fate as Serge Beausoleil team lose 5-2.
“It is especially great for the guys seeing all the hard work paid off little bit it’s good wishing we could continue to play hard. We aren’t scared to play anybody.” Quebec right winger Derek Gentile said after the game.
Rimouski forward Tylor Boland (22) battling for the puck along the board photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec
“Our goaltender got the help of his post tonight but his work has been a key element in the game,” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said in his post-game press conference as he answered question about his netminder work.
Scoring two goals with the help of the power play made Quebec head coach very happy. “In second period been able to get two goals with our power play made the difference. The game was more interesting than certain we played here I the past,” Boucher said after seeing his players played better at home tonight.
“I don’t think it was our best game, we still have things we need to work on again. In first period we might be little bit nervous, we have had four or five minutes where we did not play good hockey but after that we played harder we played more physical and it brought us back in the game.” Continued Boucher.
On the other side Oceanic head coach wasn’t really happy about the way his team played. “We were too generous on defense Christmas before time,” answered Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil.
“It didn’t matter where we played, it is really a mental thing,” replied Oceanic head coach Beausoleil as a reporter ask if the loss could be attributed to the two games in two nights on the road. “The goals we gave up in shorthanded situations wasn’t good ones, We made couple mistakes that hurt us. We hit three posts in the game, Kiselev (Quebec goalie) has been really really good, he clearly won the goalie battle tonight.”
Quebec will complete his weekend going to Rimouski facing the Oceanic.
Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night
Charlottetown 3 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 2
Halifax 3 vs. Cape Breton 1
Moncton 3 vs. Saint John 10
Chicoutimi 0 vs. Baie-Comeau 4
Gatineau 1 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 3
Sherbrooke vs. Drummondville
Rouyn-Noranda 3 vs. Val-d’Or 4
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.