Rimouski sweeps Quebec over weekend

opening faceoff between Quebec veteran center Alexandre Sills (10) and Rimouski center Dylan Montcalm (17) photo by Serge Poulin

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Having won on Friday night, Rimouski came to Quebec in the hope of picking up a second win and assure themselves of the home ice advantage in first playoff round against Charlottetown. Drawing first blood only 23 seconds into the first period Rimouski stayed in control of the game registering a 5-2 win against Quebec Remparts. Tyler Boland with his second QMJHL career hat trick took the lead offensively for the visitor.

Rimouski scored the first two goals on three shots. Taking advantage of turnover in Quebec zone. Trying to make a pass to teammates Quebec defenseman Raphael Maheux saw his pass taken by Rimouski right winger Deven St-Hilaire who scores his 8^th of the season 23 seconds into first period.

The Oceanic added a second goal on a second Quebec turnover. Dylan Montcalm wrist shot beat Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev on his left side at 3:48.

Quebec replied with their first goal less than three minutes later. Seeing first shot by teammates defenseman Anthony Gingras blocked by veteran Oceanic netminder, Zachary Moody hit the puck in the air scoring his 10^th of the year at 5:29.

Veteran 19 year old Yanick Turcotte back in the lineup following two games suspensions photo by Serge Poulin

Rimouski regained their two-goal lead, scoring shorthanded. Trying to keep puck inside offensive zone, Quebec defenseman Raphael Maheux lost the puck on the offensive blue line, giving up a two-on-one breakaway. Montcalm’s shot beat Quebec netminder on his left side at 17:31.

Rimouski score fourth goal in the game; a great pass by defenseman Jeremy Beaudin, led to second goal in the game by center Tyler Boland.

Tyler Boland completed his hat trick in the third period with 1:52 remaining, using Quebec defenseman Anthony Gingras as a screen to beat Kiselev between his pads on Rimouski 40^th shots on goal.

“It is great back to back win,” answered Rimouski center Tyler Boland near visitor locker room. “It will give us the momentum in the playoff, also securing ice advantage in first round so I’m happy with that.”

Rimouski goaltender Loui-Philip Guindon made first save on Quebec first shot he face photo by Serge Poulin

Selected in 10^th round (180 overall) in 2013, it was only his second hat trick in QMJHL career. “It was my second first one came against Moncton this season.” Ended the Oceanic assistant captain.

“It was an clear goal for us at the beginning of the season, I’m really proud of the way the players played this afternoon, it did not go well on our power play (0-in-6) that is the things we will work this week. Overall I’m very, very satisfied.” Oceanic head coach Serge Beausoleil.

It was the end of QMJHL career for three 20 years old for Quebec Anthony Gingras, Bronson Beaton and Alexandre Sills.

Beginning his career in Sherbrooke during the 2013-14 season Sills played another season in Sherbrooke before playing two with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies after been traded. Traded for second times in his career the Willich, Germany native came in Quebec in last trading period being part of the trade that sent defenseman Nicolas Brouillard in Rouyn-Noranda.

“What is fun in series is it is another season,” answered Alexandre Sills about his team last weekend (two loses against Rimouski). That is the way we will look at it. Last couple weeks were really tough, we will take the week to regroup that is what is nice about playoff.” Continue the veteran center.

“The playoff is new season and the only thing we can do is trying to do an upset.” Ended the assistant captain.

Rimouski first goal scored by Deven St-Hilaire 23 seconds into first period photo by Serge Poulin

“No it wasn’t the kind of second we would like to have,” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said after the game. With the players movement with the players we traded at Christmas we knew it could be tough but certainly not as tough as it has been.”

“We talked to the players after the game some players surprised us, some players got really great moments in the year. We would like them to concentrate on that for the next two days, taking time off because we are a better hockey team than we showed in last couple weeks. We want them to bring the positive with them.” Continued Boucher.

“For other for whom it was harder you don’t have better chance or way to be forgiven and play better.”

Already getting the CHL crowd record at 410,981 Quebec establish a new attendance record breaking their own record attendance. With an attendance of 15,125 in Sunday afternoon game the new CHL attendance record is 470,384 for a crowd average of 13,835 per game.

Back in the QMJHL in 1997, the Quebec Remparts welcomed their 6,500,000 in their history (regular season and playoff included) on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Pierre Robitaille became the 6,500,000 fans. Up until now Quebec saw 6,503,470 fans in their history.