Quebec wins front end of home and home series against Rimouski

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QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Showing a record of 7-1-0 after eight games, ranking first overall in the QMJHL, Quebec faced-off against their arch-rival in a home and home series winning Friday night 3-1. Tied 1-1 after forty minutes of play Quebec scored twice in around two minutes leading them to a 3-1 wins. Been one of the players who had been challenged in the night before against Victoriaville Philipp Kurashev scored the game winning goal with 5:08 remaining in the third period. Quebec captain Matthew Boucher scored the insurance goal at 16:49.

Neither team was able to break the ice even if each team got some scoring chances. Best one coming from Rimouski on penalty shot.

As Oceanic left winger Maxim Trepagnier went by Quebec two defensemen, Etienne Verrette hooked Oceanic left winger preventing Rimouski forward of a shot. Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau made the save with his left pad on Trepagnier backhanded shot at 6:24.

Rimouski opened the scoring with only 55 seconds in second period. Selected first overall in 2017 Alexis Lafreniere scored his fourth of the year beating Quebec goaltender Baribeau over right shoulder.

Quebec tied the game 1-1 at 9:56 of middle frame on a shot from Mikael Robidoux been redirect by teammate Jeremy Laframboise, beating Rimouski goaltender Colten Ellis on his right side.

With the score tied after forty minutes of play both teams got chances to break the tie game Rimouski got first one as Samuel Dove-McFall went on breakaway but Remparts netminder Baribeau made the save.

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With Quebec power play and 0-in-4 in the game, Quebec was 0-in-35 after the game but Quebec head coach wouldn’t want to talk much about it besides taking the blame for that situation, but with a record of 8-1 since the start of the regular season he said,” Let’s just say we will work on it, we have a 8-1 record, we found a way to win so let’s be positive for tonight.”

Quebec scored twice in a two-minute stretch to take a two-goal lead. Being one of the guy Quebec head coach Boucher challenge between the second and third periods of last night game against Victoriaville, Phillipp Kurashev scored Quebec second goal of the game. His precise shot beat Rimouski netminder over his left shoulder with 5:08 remaining to play in the third.

“Yeah I feel good to finally get a goal again,” Quebec center Phillipp Kurashev said near locker room. “It is good we can keep winning, everything is good now.” Continued the center.

Matthew Boucher in a two-on-one breakaway decided to take a shot and his wrist shot beat Oceanic goaltender over his right shoulder for Quebec third goal at 16:49.

Another player who got great game is Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau who made 24 saves on Rimouski 25 shots even if he was penalized after one save against Alex-Olivier Voyer for roughing.

“Even last night I did not played poorly,” answered the Remparts players who has been designated as the most valuable players by his teammates in the locker room after the game Baribeau.

“Chalifour went in the net in the third I was happy for him and today another win, we have to get the one and guys played very well at the end of the third to preserve the score. I was undisciplined a bit after my save against Voyer, I just wanted to protect me and he charged me,” Continued Quebec netminder Baribeau. “I’m not sure it was a good call but we will take it, we won the game that is all.”

For Boucher, he was happy the way his players played the game. “Nice if you consider us a good team,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher to a reporter question about good team always find a way to win.

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“Everyone played very good hockey, I look the scoring chances after two periods of play and we have had six as we allowed only three. Everyone contributed that is what I like. Our goaltender were solid, our defensemen didn’t gave too much we moved the puck well, we played very well and hope it will help others too.”

“It is a team that did not gave too many scoring chances, they glug the middle we have seen how many shots they blocked at the end, hard to get to Baribeau. I did not like the way we played in second even if we have had 22 shots after two but we have had only 13 on the board important difference in the number, I didn’t know if someone felt asleep or if it was me but we are in trouble,” Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil said after the game.

“In second period, we were in slot instead of taking a shot we made a pass,” Oceanic head coach Beausoleil said to illustrate what he want to say. If you want to score you might have other way to do it. I had been a great game for the fans, it has been tight until the end until the third goal.

Quebec next game will be this Sunday visiting Rimouski Oceanic.

Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night

Charlottetown 4 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 3

Halifax 3 vs. Cape Breton 4

Drummondville 1 vs. Sherbrooke 3

Baie-Comeau 4 vs. Chicoutimi 1

Blainville-Boisbriand 4 vs. Gatineau 3

Val-d’Or 4 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 3 (shootout)

Victoriaville 3 vs. Shawinigan 6

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