QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Splitting first six meetings between them the home and home series between arch-rival promised to be very interesting. With a victory over Quebec Rimouski was assured to win East division championship, For Quebec it would be a step closer to the seven position in overall standing. Still scoreless after forty minutes of play, Rimouski earns first battle assuring themselves of the Eastern division championship with 3-0 win against Quebec.
After underlining the last home game of their three veteran 20 years old players Rimouski began their last home game of the regular season getting the edge in shots on goal against Quebec 4-1. Of the ninth shots of goal in first period by the Oceanic best scoring opportunities came from the stick of Parker Bowman and Denis Mikhnin, 
on both occasions Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau made the save.
Both teams got their first chance on the power play, Quebec got the first in the game following a too many men on the ice served by Alexis Lafreniere. Quebec left winger Gregor MacLeod and Olivier Garneau got great chances to break the ice but Rimouski goaltender Colten Ellis closed the door.
Baribeau did the same as Quebec successfully killed Oceanic power play as Quebec defenseman Benjamin Gagne has been found guilty for hooking. Quebec ended first period 10-9 in shots on goal.
Like the first period in Rimouski both teams played very thigh game getting scoring chances but like in first period each goaltenders closed the door keeping the score 0-0 after forty minutes of play.
Killing their last 25th shorthanded situations they have had to face including the one in the opening period, Quebec successfully killed a 26th as teammate Olivier Mathieu was in the penalty box for tripping.
Pascal Laberge got an excellent scoring chance in a two-on-one breakaway as he chose to shoot but Oceanic netminder made the save.
Rimouski also got their opportunities with Pascal Nadeau got two chances one during a penalty to Quebec forward Mathieu, second one coming with less than five minutes remaining in middle frame.
Quebec captain Matthew Boucher also got great chance to get Quebec on scoreboard as he went on breakaway but he missed his shot on Oceanic netminder.
Quebec got their second chances on power play with 2:52 remaining in second periods as Rimouski defenseman Chase Stewart has been found guilty of hooking. Scoring at least one power play goal in their last eight games Quebec saw Colten Ellis still kept the door closed as Quebec has been kept out of main scoreboard for second chance with a man up in the game.
Still scoreless after forty minutes of play Rimouski break the ice with first goal in the game. Seeing Quebec netminder getting the best on first two scoring opportunities, Oceanic right winger Mathieu Nadeau scores on his third attempts. After Dereck Baribeau made first save on defenseman Charles-Edward D’astous, unable to control the rebound the puck went right back on Nadeau stick who only had to put it in for his 25th of the year with 16:22 remaining in the third.
Trailing by one Quebec got an excellent chances to tie the game following the five minutes for Elbowing to Quebec center Philipp Kurashev to the head. Chase Stewart has been ejected to the game and might be suspended for his hit to the head. Being the best penalty killing team in the league showing 85.8 percent Rimouski was able to kill the penalty.
Still trailing by one 1-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the third, Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher pulled his goaltender for sixth attackers but unfortunately for the visitor Rimouski scored their second and third goals in an empty net. Charles-Edward D’astous from behind his own net and Carson MacKinnon scores second and third Oceanic goals.
Making 28 saves Rimouski goaltender Colten Ellis register his sixth shutouts of the regular season. Dereck Baribeau made 29 saves out of 30 Rimouski shots.
Quebec will end 2017-18 regular season at home hosting Rimouski Oceanic on Saturday afternoon.
Eight other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night
Saint John 2 vs. Cape Breton 3
Acadie-Bathurst 4 vs. Charlottetown 5 (overtime)
Moncton 4 vs. Halifax 7
Shawinigan 1 vs. Sherbrooke 4
Victoriaville 5 vs. Baie-Comeau 2
Val-d’Or 0 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 7
Rouyn-Noranda 5 vs Chicoutimi 4
Gatineau 1 vs. Drummondville 8
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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