Quebec wins front end of home and home confrontation

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — In the weekend of rivalries in the QMJHL, Quebec went to Rimouski facing their arc-rival Oceanic in a home and home series. Coming out on a losing end on the QMJHL opening weekend on last September 22nd, Quebec came in Rimouski in hope to win the first confrontation on Friday night. Leading 2-0 after the first forty minutes, Quebec returned home with two more points in the standing as they won 3-1 against the Oceanic. Aleksei Sergeev hit the last nail on Rimouski coffin’s with empty net goal with only 32.6 seconds left to play.

In game where the two teams like boxers in a fight studied each other, Quebec drew first blood in Rimouski on Friday night. In a two-on-one breakaway after Aleksei Sergeev made prefect pass to Philipp Kurashev scoring his fifth goal of the regular season as Quebec center beat Rimouski goaltender Colten Ellis between his pads at 7:32.

While Quebec got the edge for most of first period, Rimouski put pressure in Quebec zone in hope of tying the score but each time Quebec netminder kept the door closed.

Going 8 in 34 for 23.5 percent on the road Quebec got the only power play in the first period as Oceanic defenseman Radim Salda has been found guilty of interference. Rimouski netminder successfully made the saves each times Remparts players knock at the door.

Breaking the ice in first half of the initial period, Quebec came back in second period adding to their lead with only 2:57 gone. Taking advantage of loose puck in slot, Quebec left winger Spencer Blackwell took first shot. As Oceanic netminder Ellis was unable to control the rebounds, the puck bounce right back on Quebec center Jeremy Laframboise’s stick, Laframboise only had to push the puck behind Oceanic goalie for his second of the year.

Going 0-in-1 with a man up Quebec got a second opportunity in the middle frame but like the first one, visitor wasn’t able to score. Quebec dominate 23-10 in shots on goal after forty minutes of play.

Being perfect on Rimouski 10 shots on goal after forty minutes of play, Quebec goaltender Anthony Morrone couldn’t do anything on long shot from the blue line by Oceanic defenseman Radim Salda using players in front of Remparts goalie as screen. Rimouski first goal was scored on first power play chance the team has had as Quebec captain defenseman Benjamin Gagne was in penalty box. Salda’s goal was scored at 8:37 of the third period.

Quebec hit the last nail in Rimouski coffin as Aleksei Sergeev scored with 32.6 remaining in the period in an empty for Quebec third goal in the game. For Sergeev, it was his first goal on the road, his eighth of the regular season.

Quebec return home right after the game, where the same two teams will face each other this time in Quebec on Sunday afternoon.

Eight other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night

Moncton 4 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 3 (shootout)

Halifax 4 vs. Cape Breton 3

Saint John 3 vs. Charlottetown 4

Baie-Comeau 4 vs. Chicoutimi 3 (shootout)

Sherbrooke 2 vs, Drummondville 3

Blainville-Boisbriand 5 vs. Gatineau 4 (overtime)

Val-d’Or 1 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 6

Victoriaville 1 vs. Shawinigan 4

Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com