Rouyn-Noranda opens 2017 with victory over Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Ending 2016 with an overtime win (4-3) against Val-d’Or, Rouyn-Noranda opened the new year on winning note winning first of two meetings against Quebec by the score of 5-2. Jean-Christophe Beaudin and Alexandre Fortin with 1 goal, 1 assist each led Huskies offense. After a scoreless first period, the home team opened the door scoring two goals and never looked back to win first battle against Quebec. Same two teams will face again on Friday night.

Quebec came in Rouyn-Noranda making some moves to reduce their lineup. With the arrival of Mathieu Ayotte from Victoriaville Quebec had four 20-year old veterans. Having the right to play only three, the arrival of Ayotte meant the departure of one to comport to the QMJHL rule of three 20 years old.

Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher made the decision to ask to Jonathan Bourcier to leave the team and wait a possible trade if it is possible. If not Bourcier will end the year in Junior A league or AAA.

Two other players left the team defenseman Bryce O’Brein and left winger Nathan Crossman. From 28 players Quebec head coach reduced his lineup to 25. Boucher will have to drop his lineup from 25 to 23 on January 6 2017.

In first period where a slight advantage to Rouyn-Norada neither teams were able to put the puck behind other goaltender. Best scoring chance on Quebec side came when a shot by defenseman Ross McDougall has been redirected by Dmitry Buynitskyi. Selected in third round in 2016 Zachary Raymond in his first game made the save.

Gabriel Fontaine with one and Mathieu Boucher with two got the best Huskies scoring chances. Each time Quebec goalie Evgeny Kiselev made the saves.

After scoreless first period Rouyn-Noranda was the first team to get on scoreboard. Alexandre Fortin shot in the slot beat Quebec goaltender Kiselev on his left side only 28 second in.

Tyler Hinam wrist shot surprised Quebec goalie on his right side at 3:07 giving to Rouyn-Noranda a 2-0 lead.

Trailing by two Quebec breaks the ice with their first goal in the game to cut Rouyn-Noranda lead in half. Using his speed Quebec forward Mikael Robidoux beat Huskies defenseman Chris McQuaid, driving to the net Robidoux beat Rouyn-Noranda netminder Zachary Emond at 12:29.

Jean-Christophe Beaudin completed a perfect play living no chance to Quebec netminder Kiselev. Getting the puck from Bruno Karl Dennis who got it from Alexandre Waked, the Colorado Avalanche prospect who had been a third round selection (71st overall) in 2015 left no chance to Quebec goalie scoring his 20th of the year and his 50th points of the regular season at 16:12.

Playing only five games with the Huskies, earning his place as a free agent in 2016 defenseman Cedrick Chouinard long shot surprised Quebec netminder scoring his first QMJHL goal with only 36.1 seconds remaining to middle frame.

Beaten four times on 24 shots Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher pulled his starting goalie after two periods of play sending Alex Bishop in to begin the third periods.

Already leading by three (4-1), the 2015-16 President Cup Champion adds a fifth goal to their lead. Getting perfect pass from Alexandre Fortin Hugo Depres beat the former Saint John Sea Dogs netminder Alex Bishop over his left shoulder at 5:26.

Been 0-in-1 with a man advantage, Quebec took advantage of their second power play opportunities to score their second goals. Unable to control rebound on Quebec defenseman Etienn Vermette first shot Remparts captain Matthew Boucher wrist shot left no chance to Huskies netminder Emond with 37.2 seconds left to the game.

Quebec will play next game on the road for a second times in three days against the same Rouyn-Noranda on Friday night.

Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday night

Cape Breton 6 vs. Saint John 3

Chicoutimi 1 vs. Gatineau 4

Sherbrooke 5 Rimouski 3

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