First picture of new Videotron Center photo by Serge Poulin
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Coming out on the losing end in the opening game at home against the Shawinigan Cataractes on Thursday night, Rimouski came to Quebec with the intention of not just being part of history as they played the inaugural game in the new Videotron Center in Quebec. Led on offensive by Antoine Dufor-Plante, who ended the game with two goals one assist, the Oceanic went on to a 4-2 victory over the Quebec Remparts.
After a long opening ceremony in the new Videotron Center, Quebec defenseman Ross McDougall scored first ever goal in the new home of Quebec. A wrist shot beat Rimouski goaltender Louis Philip Guindon to his left side at 11:17.
The Oceanic came back 54 seconds later to tie the game. A great pass from Rimouski left winger Antoine Dufort-Plante left veteran center Tylor Boland on breakaway from center ice beating Quebec goaltender Julian Galloway to his left side.
First official face off in Videotron Center photo by Serge Poulin
Rimouski took the lead 2-1 with Evan Scott goal with 4:34 to play in the opening period. Scott who dropped the gloves with only 21 seconds gone in the initial period against Quebec left winger Yanick Turcotte took a loose puck in front of Quebec goalie to beat him to his right side.
The visitors took a two-goal leads on a goal scored by Rimouski left winger Dufort-Plante. Left winger wrist shot beat Quebec netminder on glove side with 13:46 to play.
Quebec cut the Rimouski lead to one goal as young rookie Mikael Robidoux scored his first goal in the QMJHL in his first game. Robidoux beat Galloway on his glove side with 12:07 to play in the middle frame.
Rimouski came back in third period scoring the only goal in the third. Dufor-Plante scores his second of the game beating Quebec netminder Galloway on his right side with backhand shot with 13:24 remaining.
“It went very well on the ice the chemistry with my teammates was really good and it paid off,” the Oceanic left winger Antoine Dufor-Plante said after ending his night with two goals one assist.
eason only after 21 seconds between Rimouski Forward Evan Scott and Quebec left winger Yanick Turcotte photo by Serge Poulin
“It went very well I got chances but I’m very happy to win and scores goals. I played with Tylor Boland and Anthony Chapados they worked real hard and it was because of their hard work we scores goals.” Said Dufor-Plante.
For Oceanic head coach Serge Beausoleil, he was very happy about the victory but had something to say about the play of his players in second period.
“For us the two points were very important I didn’t like the way we played with the puck we made a mistake that led to Quebec goal that brought Quebec back in the game but overall our young guys did good job. We have had one guy on defense who was with us last year so I liked the way our young guys reacted.”
Former players of Quebec Remparts and Quebec Nordiques in center ice saluting fans photo by Serge Poulin
Asked what he will retained from the first ever game at the Videotron center, the Oceanic head coach said, “The ceremony was very great it wasn’t just a window for the Remparts it was for the league overall. I would like to underline the work of all the organization it was colossal, it was a beauty it was a very great show.” The Oceanic head coach Beausoleil said about the ceremony that preceded the game.
Quebec will return in action on Sunday afternoon facing the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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