Quebec wins in OT Carozza scores game-winning goal

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Coming into Rimouski with President Cup Final tied 2-2 after losing the last two games at home Quebec tied the game in the third with less than eight minutes remaining. Massimo Carozza played the hero with only 10 seconds gone in the first overtime period beating Rimouski goaltender Louis Philip Guindon short side 2015 QMJHL logowith a wrist shot. Quebec return home with a chance to win the QMJHL President Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Back in Rimouski for Game 5 of the QMJHL President Cup final after losing their last two games at home, Quebec was the only team to get on main scoreboard in first period on their first power play opportunity.

A great pass from Quebec left winger Guillaume Gauthier to Adam Erne led to visitor first goal of the game at 5:26. Coming out of his half circle Rimouski goaltender Louis Philip Guindon did not have any chance on Tampa Bay prospect one-timer.

Rimouski first real scoring opportunity came from the stick of Frederik Gauthier on pass from Christopher Clapperton. Gauthier missed an open net.

Quebec saw the center of their first line left Kurt Etchegary temporally leave the game after being hit from behind by Clapperton. Fortunately for Philippe Boucher’s team the Quebec captain came back later in the first period after what appeared to be hit his shoulder on the board.

After the hit Clapperton the Florida third round selections (42nd overall) in 2013 got a penalty that led to first and only goal of the period by Quebec.

Rimouski netminder got another opportunity to prevent Quebec of scoring a second goal in first period as he made a blocker save on Anthony Duclair backhanded shot right from the slot.

The home team got their first power play chance with 4:24 remaining on penalty taken by Quebec defenseman Ryan Graves guilty of hit from behind. Showing a 27.6 percent with a man advantage scoring 27 goals in 81 chances the Oceanic wasn’t able to score on their first opportunity of the game.

Playing good first period even if they came back in their locker trailing by one, Rimouski came back in middle frame playing even stronger second one scoring two goals in 4:00 minutes inside first half of the period.

Being shut out on their first power play attempt the Oceanic got on board taking advantage of their second power plays in the game on penalty taken by Quebec left winger Marcus Cuomo for boarding.

Clapperton wrist shot beat visitor netminder on his left with 15:54 remaining in middle frame. Rimouski netminder Guindon frustrated former teammate Jerome Verrier making key save preventing the visiting team to tie the game at two goals-a-piece.

Facing an average of 33 shots per game since the final began Quebec goalie Fucale stole Rimouski forward Anthony DeLuca with right pad save preventing Rimouski to take the lead.

Playing four-on-four hockey following coincidental minor penalties to Quebec defenseman Ross McDougall and Rimouski left winger Francois Beauchemin, the Oceanic takes their first lead of the game on Defenseman Jan Kostalek sixth of the playoff. Forgotten in the slot the Rimouski defenseman got perfect pass from left winger Clapperton for Rimouski second goals at 8:04.

Beginning the third period clogging the middle in trying to protect their one goal lead, Rimouski successfully killed penalty taken by Anthony Chapados but the second goal of the game by Quebec power forward Erne unassisted as he pushed the puck behind Rimouski netminder at 13:01 forced both teams to play overtime period.

Massimo Carozza got the game winning goal only 10 seconds into first overtime surprising Rimouski netminder Louis Philip Guindon over his left shoulder giving Quebec their third wins of the President Cup final, a third wins on the road.

Quebec was 1-in-2 with man advantage after forty minutes, Rimouski was 1-in-3.

QMJHL President Cup Final Game 6 goes back to Quebec on Sunday afternoon

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

Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews

Leave a Comment