Rimouski ties series in Quebec

Quebec defenseman Nikolas Brouillard scores Quebec second goals photo by Serge Poulin

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Trailing by two in first half of the initial period Rimouski found a way to score four times the rest of the game signing a second win in Quebec by the score of 4-2. Frederik Gauthier scored Oceanic third goal and later becoming the game-winning goal. Now the QMJHL President Cup final return in Rimouski with series tied 2-2.

Quebec broke the ice scoring first two goals in the game on two of their first three power plays o the game. Quebec captain Kurt Etchegary took his own rebound beating Rimouski goaltender Louis-Philip Guindon at 4:10 in first period. Alexis L’oiseau was in penalty box for the visitor.

Quebec came back 3:39 later scoring their second goal on their third power play opportunity as Rimouski left winger Francois Beauchemin was in box as been found guilty of boarding.

Seeing the first two shot attempts on Rimouski netminder had been blocked by teammates in front of him Oceanic goalie Guindon saw Quebec defenseman Nikolas Brouillard beat him with a wrist shot between his pads with 12:11 remaining.

Being in penalty box on Quebec first goal Rimouski forward Alexis L’oiseau scores Oceanic first goal photo by Serge Poulin

Trailing by two Rimouski took advantage of a power play opportunity to get on board cutting Quebec leads in half. Being in the box during Quebec first goal, Loiseau beat Quebec goaltender Zachary Fucale top corner on left side with a shot Remparts netminder would like to have another chance on. Oceanic first goal came with 9:07 remaining in the first period.

The visitor tied the game 2-2 with 2.5 seconds left to the initial period. A long shot from blue line by Oceanic defenseman Jan Kostalek surprised Quebec goalie.

Frederik Gauthier gave Rimouski their first lead of the game when he pushed the puck behind Quebec netminder with 14:30 remaining in second period. Leading by one with 5:30 gone in second the visitor began to clog the middle of the ice giving no chance to Quebec to organize any offense.

Rimouski added a fourth goal as defenseman Guillaume McSween beat Fucale between his pads giving to the visitors a two goal leads with 7:53 to play in the third.

Quebec was unable to really get good scoring chances on Oceanic netminder Guindon even if Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher decided to make a goaltending change replacing Fucule who had been beaten four times on twelve shots. Callum Booth came in being perfect for the rest of the game blocking all Rimouski nine shots he faced.

ec goaltender Zachary Fucale gave to Rimouski a second goal with 2.5 seconds remaining in first period photo by Serge Poulin

“For me it wasn’t something acceptable, as a team we faced adversity so we will have to forget that and coming back playing strong game in Rimouski.” Quebec goaltender Zachary Fucale said after the game.

“I don’t have any answer for that one, answered the starting netminder to the question about the fact both teams won games on the opponent ice. We will have to go there and play a better game.”

“It won’t stayed that way,” answered the author of first Rimouski goal Alexis L’oiseau as reporter asked to talk about the fact each team won on the opponent ice in first four games.

“We come back home and we will offer great performance on our ice getting back ice advantage. We have to continue to work the same way finishing our checks working deep in their zone and make sure it will give us dividend. We have lots of depth in our lineup and tonight playing five-on-five we didn’t give anything.”

Back in net for a second consecutive game after head coach Serge Beausoleil gave the starting job in game two to Philippe Desrosiers Louis Philip Guindon has been very solid in front of his net making 21 saves on Quebec 23 shots on goal.

“If you look guys in front of me they block lots of shots in last two games here giving us the chance to win both games here. What we learned from the regular season is to stay calm, we showed it even if it was 0-2 in game. We did not panick we are a team able to score goals and that is what we did tonight.” Oceanic goaltender Loui-Philip Guindon said as he answered question about his team trailing by two in first half of first period.

“I think it is soon to talk about turnover in the series we get the ice advantage back that was really our objective tonight.” Rimouski head coach Serge Beausoleil after the game in his post-game press conference.

“I like our guys resiliency their strong character. Trailing 0-2 to begin the game after getting three consecutive penalties. We have had to work hard so I tip my hat off to all the players tonight I’m really proud of them.”

i center and Toronto Maple Leaf prospect Frederik Gauthier on offensive face-off facing Kurt Etchegary photo by Serge Poulin

“It certainly did not help us,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher about the first two goals scored by Rimouski especially the one with 2.5 seconds left to first period. “The first period was possibly our best period since very long time. I think there was a team on the ice in first period. They were tenacious they score goal late in first period like you said, the goal they scored on Turcotte (Yanick) penalty and the one at the end of first period.” Continued Boucher.

“We dominate in first period but the goal they scored at the end of first period hurt us a lot. After that they closed the play they were opportunistic. We were opportunistic there (in Rimouski). When you work you become opportunistic maybe we worked bit more in their building and here we can’t prevent what they did. They worked hard they found a way to come back.”

President Cup Final will transfer to Rimouski for game 5 on Friday night

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