Quebec wins in OT against Rimouski

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Coming home after a grueling seven-game road trip was very welcomed by Quebec Remparts as they hosted their arch rival Rimouski Oceanic. Leading 2-0 for two-thirds of the game Quebec saw their opponent coming back with two goals in the end of middle frame to tie the game. Still deadlocked after sixty minutes of play Defenseman Nikolas Brouillard played the hero giving Quebec a 3-2 victory in overtime with his seventh of the year.

Quebec was the only team to score in the first period in Quebec. After great saves on both sides, Center Kurt Etchegary saw his shot been deflected by Rimouski left winger Samuel Laberge before going in leaving no chance to Oceanic goaltender Philippe Desrosiers with only 14.2 seconds remaining.

Quebec came back in second period adding to their lead with only 11 seconds gone in middle frame. Taking first shot on Oceanic netminder Adam Erne saw the puck coming back right in slot where his teammate Dmytro Tymashov takes the rebound beating Desrosiers for Quebec second goals in the game.

Rimouski replied with two goals of their own first one at even strength as defenseman Edward Nasybulin shot from the point beat Quebec goalie on his right side with 4:40 left in middle frame.

The visitors tied the game playing five-on-four as Quebec forward Erne was in the box for interference. Oceanic left winger Christopher Clapperton beat Booth on his right side with long shot with 2:18 remaining.

With neither teams able to get the puck behind respective goaltenders on both sides they need to go in overtime before one team scored the game winning goal. Winning their last two games in shootout with Guillaume Gauthier playing the hero, this time Quebec found a way to win in overtime. Defenseman Nikolas Brouillard sealed the fate of Rimouski with his seventh of the season at 4:51 of the fourth periods.

“In 2014 we gave good show to fans who got their season tickets, guys played hard gave their best night after night we might say we have the senses of show.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said in his brief post-game press conference.

“I wouldn’t want to say anything negative but when you are long time on the road the first game back home is always tough. In first period it wasn’t our best but we were much better in second, we dominated the first fifteen minutes and little undisciplined gave them the chance to came back in game at the end of second period,” continued Boucher the Remparts head coach.

“In third it went both sides, Rimouski is a great team even if they missed some players they weren’t easy to play against. Brouillard (Nikolas) in overtime I rarely see a guy be so dangerous, every time he is on the ice he always has a scoring chances. It has been a very good way to end 2014.”

Quebec next game will be next Friday January 2 hosting Victoriaville Tigres.

Eight other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday night

Charlottetown 1 vs. Halifax 5

Cape Breton 3 vs. Saint John 6

Val-d’Or 2 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 7

Baie-Comeau 4 vs. Chicoutimi 5 (overtime)

Shawinigan 0 vs. Drummondville 7

Moncton 2 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 3

Victoriaville 4 vs. Sherbrooke 3 (shootout)

Rouyn-Noranda 5 vs. Gatineau 2

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