QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Already leading the quarterfinal series against the Halifax Mosseheads 2-0, the Quebec Remparts went to Metro Centre confident of playing a solid game. Trailing twice in the game, (0-1) and (1-3), Michael McNamee’s third goal of the game made the difference leading Quebec to 5-3 win against Halifax taking a serious option on the series leading 3-0.
Playing deep in Halifax zone McNamee jumped on a rebound from Adam Erne to complete his hat trick giving Quebec the lead for first time in game three 4-3 with 12:15 remaining in third period.
Working at 35 percent efficiency, allowing 14 goals-in-40 power play opportunities Halifax was able to keep Quebec out of scoring sheet with a man advantage after first period, Quebec being 0-in-3.
Keeping Quebec out of scoring sheet with a man advantage ending the game 0-in-6 Halifax took advantage of their power play scoring on their first chance with a man advantage. Working at 17.5 percent efficiency scoring 6 goals-in-40 power plays opportunity, the team coached by Dominique Ducharme scored the first goal with Konrad Abeltshauser’s 2nd of the playoff. Abeltshauser’s wrist shot from the point gave Halifax 1-0 lead at 8:18.
Unable to clear his zone Halifax defenseman Trey Lewis paved the road to Quebec first goal. Playing key role in first two games, the line of Jeremie Malouin, Gabriel Desjardins and Alexandre Contois was directly responsible for Remparts tying goal.
Finding himself on the ice in same time of Contois Michael McNamee put the puck behind Halifax netminder Zachary Fucale 1:50 later for Quebec tying goal ending the opening period 1-in-4 with a man advantage.
Wanting to dictate the tempo in the second period, Halifax scored the first two goals in the period taking a 3-1 lead.
Being the best offensive leader with 12 points (6 goals) in 6 games since the playoff began, Nathan MacKinnon set up Matthew Boudreau one-timer beating Quebec goalie on his left side 6:35 into the period during a penalty to Quebec team for too many men on the ice.
Forgotten in front of the Quebec netminder, Alexandre Grenier made Halifax 3-1 beating Domingue low on his right side at 9:10.
Not used to play trailing by two goals, Quebec came back with two goals in 53 seconds bringing both teams back to square one 3-3.
Seeing teammates on third line Desjardins, Malouin and Contois playing key roles his team since the series began, Kurt Etchegary the fourth line center brought his offensive contribution scoring Quebec 2nd goals, 41 seconds after Halifax third goal. Etchegary’s shot fifteen feet inside the blueline beat Fucale to his right at 9:51.
Redirecting Marc-Antoine Carrier’s shot, McNamee scored his second of the game 53 seconds later tying the score 3-3 after forty minutes of play. Quebec got advantage in shots on goal 26-15 after two.
With the score being tied 3-3 Halifax was really well aware of the importance of the third period. Preventing Halifax to take the lead for third times in game, Domingue saw his effort being rewarded when McNamee completes his hat trick giving Quebec the lead for first time in the game 4-3.
Pulling his stating netminder in favor of a sixth forward with less than a minute left in the third period in hope to see his team to score the equalizer, the Halifax head coach Ducharme saw Jeremie Malouin scoring Quebec fifth goals in an empty net to ensure Remparts third victories over the Mooseheads in this quarterfinal.
Both teams will be back in action tomorrow (Wednesday) in Metro Centre for what might be the last game of this quarterfinal series.
Three other series were on QMJHL schedule on Tuesday.
Saint John 5 vs. Baie-Comeau 2 ( Saint John lead 3-0)
Shawinigan 2 vs. Chicoutimi 1 ( Shawinigan lead series 2-1)
Blainville-Boisbriand 5 vs. Rimouski 3 (Blainville-Boisbriand lead series 2-1)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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