QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing their third game in four nights, on the road, Quebec registered their third win with three more games left on this road trip. Scoring three goals in second period Quebec came out of Baie-Comeau with 5-3 victory with fifth goal scored in an empty to insure their third victory in four nights. Anthony Morrone earned first star making 28 saves on Baie-Comeau 31 shots.
Quebec opened the scoring in Baie-Comeau on Saturday night. After Drakkar goaltender Kyle Jessiman made first save on Remparts right winger Mikael Robidoux first shot, Olivier Mathieu took the rebound pushing puck behind Baie-Comeau netminder at 1:57.
As Quebec was the beneficiary of first power play in the game, Baie-Comeau also got their first chance with a man up following a penalty to Quebec forward Brandon Frattareli. Fortunately for Patrick Roy’s team Quebec successfully killed home team power play.
Baie-Comeau tied the game later in first period on a shot Quebec goaltender Anthon Morrone would like to have a second chance. Yaroslav Alexeyev surprised Quebec netminder with a backhanded shot that found his way along the left post at 12:52.
Quebec dominated second period scoring three times as Baie-Comeau scored only one in middle frame. Consecutive penalties to Baie-Comeau to Christopher Merisier-Ortiz and Yaroslav Alexeyev gave Quebec a five-on-three power play for 1:14. Philipp Kurasev gave visiting team the lead for second time in the game as his slap-shot left no chance to Drakkar netminder at 7:30.
Pierrick Dube doubled Quebec lead with his seventh of the year taking a rebound shot from teammate Andrew Coxhead with 10:21 left to play in middle frame. As team head coach you always look for offensive contribution from all the lines. On Friday night game, playing on Quebec fourth line Gabriel Montreuil brought his contribution as he scored his third of the year against Chicoutimi.
On Saturday night, Quebec fourth line contributed for second consecutive game as Montreuil made perfect pass to teammate Jeremie Laframboise beating Drakkar netminder on his right side scoring his fourth of the season with 4:42 remaining in second period.
As Quebec had been the beneficiary of a two men advantage for 1:14 earlier in the period, Baie-Comeau got a five-on-three power play for 1:30 taking advantage of it scoring their second goals as Jordan Martel’s one-timer left no chance to Remarts netminder Morrone scoring his 10th of the year at 19:06.
Baie-Comeau began the third periods dominating their opponent as they trailed already by 4-2. Drakkar defenseman Yan Aucoin cut Quebec lead to only one goal when his shot deflected on Quebec player before beating Morrone over his left shoulder 4:01 into the third.
As the period went along playing their third game in four nights, Quebec battled to protect their tiny lead and with less minute left to the game with his team still trailing by one having loss only three games in their last 13 at home, Drakkar head coach Martin Bernard pulled his starting netminder in hope his team been able to tie the game and pushed it at least in overtime.
Unfortunately for Drakkar head coach Bernard Quebec center Matthew Grouchy put the puck in an empty net scoring Quebec fifth goal.
Quebec next game will be next Saturday in Saint John.
Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday night.
Val-d’Or 0 vs. Cape Breton 6
Rouyn-Noranda 7 vs. Saint John 1
Moncton 1 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 4
Shawinigan 3 vs. Gatineau 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.