Quebec left winger Guillaume Gauthier scores Remparts second goal photo by Serge Poulin
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Playing their only game inside the Pee-wee tournament the Quebec Remparts registered their sixth consecutive win at home, 6-4, over the Baie-Comeau Drakkard. Quebec defenseman Nikolas Brouillard scored three goals for the second time in his junior career.
“Yes it is fun,” were first words pronounced by Quebec defenseman Nikolas Brouillard after getting his second career hat trick. “First time was at the age of 17 with Drummondville. Tonight I have had two great goals the third one Cadorette (Philippe) gave me a little gift. It goes very well at home but on the road it is little bit harder, so we will to work little bit on that.”
Referring to the importance of the game the veteran defenseman said,” Yes they were only one point ahead of us and they played two more games than us so we knew it was big game for us.”
Consecutive penalties to Quebec’s Anthony Duclair and Adam Erne led to the first goal of the game scored by Vaclav Karabacek a goal scored as Baie-Comeau playing on five-on-three power play.
Baie-Comeau right winger Vaclav Karabacek scores Drakkar first goal photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec replied scoring three unanswered goals taking advantage of five-on-three power play as Quebec defenseman Nikolas Brouillard one-timer left no chance to Baie-Comeau goaltender Philippe Cadorette with 11:21 to go in the initial period.
Quebec took the lead for first time in the game less than a minute later with Guilaume Gauthier taking rebound shot from defenseman Ryan Graves. Gauthier scores his 24th of the regular season.
Quebec added a third goal with 2:34 remaining in the period. Jerome Verrier push the puck behind Baie-Comeau netminder to make 3-1 Quebec after twenty minutes of play.
Baie-Comeau began the second period scoring their second goal with only 1:39 gone. Losing the puck in corner Quebec defenseman Brouillard saw Karabacek made pass to Maxime St-Cyr left uncovered in slot beating Quebec netminder Callum Booth to his left side.
Baie-Comeau goaltender Philippe Cadorette made save against Adam Erne photo by Serge Poulin
Already two-for-two on their power play, Quebec regained their two-goal lead on their third power play opportunitie as Drakkar forward Frederic Gamelin was in penalty box. Guilty on Baie-Comeau second goal Brouillard scored his second of the game with another one-timer from the blueline leaving no chance to Drakkar veteran netminder at 3:54.
Baie-Comeau came back less than two minutes later as veteran left winger Lukas Ciampini redirect a shot from Frederic Gamelin at 5:13.
Brouillard completed his hat trick (first one as 17-year old) beating Cadorette between his pads with a shot from the blueline with 7:08 remaining in middle frame.
Baie-Comeau left winger Ciampini scored his second of the game reducing Quebec lead to one goal for second time in the game getting their eighth power plays opportunity ending two-in-eight with 6:44 to go in third period.
Quebec sealed Baie-Comeau’s fate regaining their two goals leads for third times in the game with Adam Erne scoring his 36th of the year in an empty net at 19:45.
Baie-Comeau open the scoring playing five-on-three power play photo by Serge Poulin
“You were right,” said Baie-Comeau head coach Marco Pietroniro. “We have had our chances we were able to generate several things but their power play was in fire tonight. Usually we have been successful on our penalty killing but tonight they took advantage of it.”
“Thing you forgot several,” continued the Drakkar head coach Pietroniro as a reporter talked about Quebec defenseman Nikolas Brouillard. “I didn’t remembered the one you just mentioned but you forgot lots other.”
“Our power play was very good tonight we have asked too much to our penalty killing,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher after the game in reference to their power plays efficiencies as Quebec ended three-in-four with a man advantage.
“We did a great job on our penalty killing that was where the difference has been. They have had three great chances to scores but at even strength it had been a bit complicated it was little bit tough.”
Losing their two-goal leads twice in the game Quebec finally kept it on the third occasion.
“That is what came in my mind to try to play with more consistency.” Quebec head coach Boucher referring to the moments Quebec loses their two goals lead twice in the game.
“That is what we tried to correct after the second period. We did a video meeting back there trying to show them little things we have to correct. We have to learn to play hockey, we have to play a certain way because even if they won’t realized it we will have very important games that will be play in this building and on the road during the playoff. We will have to play much better.”
“Brouillard with his hat trick, Callum (Booth) has been tested, Graves (Ryan) played great. As a group we could play better hockey.” Ended the Quebec head coach Boucher.
Quebec next game will be this Friday night visiting Rouyn-Noranda playing the Huskies.
One other game was on QMJHL schedule on Tuesday
Halifax 2 vs. Moncton 3 (overtime)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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