Quebec wins important game against Halifax

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QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Winning the first meeting between the two team in overtime back on last October 6-2017, Quebec won against Halifax in regulation time 3-2 in front of 6,502 fans in the Videotron Center. Quebec captain Matthew Boucher made again the difference in the game scoring the game winning goal assuring by the same fact Quebec 12th victory (12-4-1-0) since the regular season began.

“Exactly,” was the first answer by Quebec captain Matthew Boucher as he acknowledge the strength of the Halifax Mooseheads. “We knew they had strong team, we saw it tonight they got lots of talent great young kids. It was a sequence of two minutes it went so fast. Hockey is often like that when you got an occasion you have to take advantage of it, that is what happened.”

About the goal scored by his teammate Mikael Robidoux, Quebec captain said, “Honestly, I was jealous, I would like scoring goal like that. Seriously Woow I don’t have any other words, I didn’t think I saw a great goal like that since I was here. We joked little bit it wasn’t usual for him to score goal like that. Usually he crash the net took some rebound but not tonight. We know he can score great goal he is a great skater, you saw on the goal defenseman can’t do anything.” Continued Boucher.

On Halifax side, Mooseheads head coach Jim Midgley recognized his team played ok game in first but as the game progressed it became a different story.

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“We just had an ok start, obviously we scored first but we didn’t played for sixty minutes. As you said they scored bing, bing scored back to back on us, we used to chase the game little bit, got one at the end but we didn’t play Mooseheads hockey.”

“We tried to get on pushed, we took two penalties playing three-on-five hockey, not the way we wanted to play but I will have to take a look at it and see the calls but from what I saw the referee did made the right called, there is no excuses there. When you try to score you chase the game little bit, we have to stay out of the box.”

For Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher, his team played great, they found another way to win a hockey game. He also praised his starting goaltender Dereck Baribeau.

“We played sixty minutes but yes I understand what you mean,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher as his team scored two goals in 41 seconds and never look back.

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“We played good first period, we didn’t gave up too many scoring chances, the two goals the scored was two goals that has been deflected in front of Baribeau, Dereck was very solid. We were more menacing in second periods and in the third like you saw the 41 seconds you talked. We made some adjustment on our zone outing and it paid off immediately. What a great goal from “Robi” (Mikael Robidoux), Kyrashev help himself the most. I have had a little conversation with him after the second periods, you have 27 scouts coming to see Halifax players. We want him to be engage in the game and he made the difference on that play.”

In tight and physical first period, Halifax opened the scoring with only 1:53 in. Mooseheads defenseman Jocktan Chainey wrist shot deflected on Quebec player before beating Quebec goaltender Derek Baribeau on his right side.

Halifax got the first chance to play one man up in the game but Quebec was able to kill it without real scoring opportunity from the visitor.

Running at17.1 percent, scoring 14 goals in 82 power play chances Quebec got their first chance with a man up with 15:57 remaining in middle frame. Quebec defenseman Benjamin Gagne got best scoring opportunity but Halifax goaltender Blade Mann-Dixon made the save.

Quebec tied the game playing four-on-four. Unable to control the rebound following the shot by Quebec captain Matthew Boucher, Olivier Garneau pushed the puck under Mann-Dixon right pad with 3:23 remaining in second period.

After trailing 1-0 after first period and coming from behind to tied it after two periods, Quebec took control of the third period taking the lead for first time with two goals in 41 seconds.

Used to score goal stationed in front of opponent net crashing the net, Mikael Robidoux surprised everyone in the stand, by using his speed to going around Halifax defenseman before beating Halifax netminder under his left pad breaking the 1-1 tied game taking the lead for first time in the game with 14:06 remaining in the third periods.

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Quebec came back 41 seconds later scoring their third goal in the game. Receiving a great pass from teammate Philipp Kurashev, Quebec captain Matthew Boucher one-time left no chance to Mooseheads netminder at 6:35.

Halifax took two penalties on same play giving a full two minutes five-on-three to Quebec but they were unable to add other goal on the scoreboard.

Halifax came back with their second goal with only 23 seconds left on the clock. Benoit-Olivier Groulx scored his 9^th of the season.

Quebec will pursue their home game stretch of four consecutive games at home hosting the Moncton Wildcats on next Friday.

Two other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday

Moncton 0 vs. Gatineau 4

Rimouski 3 vs. Val-d’Or 4 (overtime)

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