Quebec wins in Charlottetown

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Splitting first two games at home, Quebec came in Charlottetown wanting to keep the momentum in their quarterfinal series as the won game two after losing first one. Allowing first goal on first Islanders shots, Quebec goaltender has been perfect on next Charlottetown 28 shots before been beaten for second times in the game. Dominated 37-19 in shots on goal, 17-4 in third periods, Quebec signs a 4-2 wins against Charlottetown taking the lead for first time in the series 2-1. Former Islanders Matthew Groutchy got the game winning goal in second periods and captain Matthew Boucher scored the controversial insurance goal in an empty net with 20.8 seconds left to the game.

With quarterfinal series tied 1-1, and Charlottetown coming back home for games three, four and five, the Islanders drew first blood in game three. Like in first game of that series where Charlottetown opened the scoring with their first shot on goal, the home team did the same as long wrist shot by fourth year veteran forward Keith Getson beat Quebec goaltender over his right shoulder with 14:40 to go in the opening period.

Quebec tied the score more than six minutes later. Hard work deep in Charlottetown territory by two former Islanders forwards Matthew Groutchy and Gregor MacLeod led to Quebec defenseman Andrew Pico first goal in the playoff by former Rimouski defenseman beating Islanders goalie Matthew Welsh on his right side. Pico’s goal came at 11:36.

Both teams got chances to play on power play but neither team scored. Quebec was 1-in-13 with two power plays opportunities. Going 1-in-5 with man up Charlottetown was 0-in-1.

A turnover by Charlottetown defenseman Hunter Drew led to the only goal of the second period scored by Quebec. Losing the puck in the middle ice Islanders defenseman Drew can’t do anything but just saw Quebec forwards Matthew Groutchy and Andrew Coxhead going on a two-on-one breakaway. Former Charlottetown left winger Groutchy decided to shoot the puck that slowly went by Islanders netminder Welsh at 17:18 of middle frame.

Quebec adds to their leads as Quebec center Jesse Sutton wrist shot beat Matthew Welsh under his right arm four minutes into third periods.

Going 1-in-7 in the series, 0-in-2 into the game Charlottetown got third chances with a man up following a penalty to Quebec left winger Olivier Garneau for slashing. Islanders defenseman Saku Vesterinen beat Quebec veteran netminder Samuel on his left side with 7:06 to play cutting Quebec leads in half.

Trailing by one 3-2 with less than two minutes to play Charlottetown head coach Jim Hulton decided to pull his starting netminder sending sixth attackers with a face-off in Quebec zone.

After Samuel made several saves keeping Quebec one goal lead. Being down the ice already Quebec left winger push the puck with his hand in center ice, taking the puck Quebec captain went on breakaway scoring Quebec fourth goals in an empty net with 20.8 seconds remaining. Like every goal scored in playoff, after Garneau hand pass not sure the puck had been touch by an Islanders player, goal has been waved-off.

But after further review video judge came back on his decisions and allowed the goal to Quebec captain Matthew Boucher with 20.8 seconds left to the game. Final score Quebec wins game three 4-2 taking 2-1 lead in QMJHL quarterfinal series.

Game four of Quarterfinal series will be Friday night in Charlottetown.

Seven other quarterfinal series were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday night.

Drummondville 4 vs. Cape Breton 1 (Drummondville leads series 3-1)

Rimouski 2 vs. Moncton 6 (series tied 2-2)

Rouyn-Noranda 2 vs. Sherbrooke 4 (series tied 2-2)

Blainville-Boisbriand 4 vs. Val-d’Or 1 (Blainville-Boisbriand win series 4-0)

Victoriaville 1 vs. Gatineau 2 (Victoriaville leads series 3-1)

Acadie-Bathurst 3 vs. Chicoutimi 6 (series tied 2-2)

Halifax 8 vs. Baie-Comeau 1 (Halifax leads 3-1)

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