Saint-John-goaltender-Alex-DOrio-making-key-save-on-Quebec-defenseman-Tomas-Dajcar-who-later-in-game-score-hia-first-of-the-year-photo-courtesy-of-Remi-Garneau-of-infosportquebec
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Coming out on the losing end in Drummondville the night before, Saint John came to Quebec hoping to return home with two more points in the standing. Scoring the first two goals in 1:23, the visitors saw their opponent coming from behind tying the score 2-2 after regulation time. As neither team was able to put a puck behind the other goalie in third or in overtime, Saint John scored on their first shot putting pressure on Quebec team to score to. As Sea Dogs netminder Alex D’Orio stopped all three Quebec shooters, Saint John ended their weekend winning 3-2 in Quebec.
“No question about it,” answered Saint John head coach Josh Dixon near his team locker room. “I really like our sixty-five minutes, I was happy that all four lines are contributed, obviously we played very well defensively and to get the start like scoring first two goals put them on their heels and it was good for us.”
Saint John broke the ice scoring twice on first three shots against Quebec starting netminder Olivier Chalifour who was pulled, replaced by Dereck Baribeau.
Sea Dogs center Kevin Gursoy was the first to beat Chalifour between his pads 2:32 into the first period. Robbie Burt made Saint John lead 2-0 as his backhand shot beat Quebec netminder at 3:45.
Saint-John-right-winger-Robbie-Burt-26-white-scored-Sea-Dogs-second-goals-photo-courtesy-of-Remi-Garneau-of-infosportquebec
Quebec defenseman Tomas Dajcar completed great pass from Matthew Boucher for Quebec first goal beating Sea Dogs goaltender Alex D”Orio who already was down at 15:24.
Quebec tied the game taking advantage of a neutral zone turnover. Losing the puck in neutral zone Saint John defenseman Nathan Larose saw Quebec left winger Olivier Mathieu taking the loose puck making precise pass to Philipp Kurashev scoring his 8th of the year at 16:19 of middle frame. Karashev put an end to 11 games without scoring. Last Kurasev goal went back to November 5th.
After scoreless third period and overtime, the game needed shootout before having a winner.
Saint John was the first team to take first shot as Anthony Boucher score on first team shot beating Baribeau, taking a 1-0 lead to visiting team. Derek Gentile took the first shot for Quebec but D’Orio made the save. Joe Veleno saw Quebec netminder made the save, same for D’Orio on second Quebec shooter Matthew Boucher. Ostap Safin was the last shooter for the Sea Dogs and Quebec veteran goalie made the save. D’Orio also made the save on Quebec forward Philipp Kurashev giving the additional point to Saint John going back home with 3-2 win.
“It wasn’t easy to come and picking up points on the road,” Admitted the author of the only goal for Saint John in shootout Anthony Boucher. “It was big win for us, we have to begin by winning one, and the other will come after. I think it was a question of momentum, we have to shoot puck on goal,” Saint John center Boucher continued.
Quebec-defenseman-Christian-Huntley-16-red-battle-in-corner-for-the-puck-photo-courtesy-of-Remi-Garneau-of-infosportquebec.
“We were opportunistic to begin the game, they came back in the game but we still strong and we picked-up two big points on the road.” Ended the one who wear number 22 for the Sea Dogs.
For one, Quebec captain Matthew Boucher, who wasn’t definite for the game, after being hit by a heavy shot by teammate Luke Kirwan the night before, against Charlottetown on his left heel admitted his team will have to find a way to have better start to the game.
“To the date, we have good season but it was a bit the story of our worse game. We haven’t great start, we have to find a way to settle this cause second and third period are often our best periods. If we find a way to settle our first period everything should go well.” Quebec captain Matthew Boucher said.
“It wasn’t the way we want to begin the game,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher making reference to the first two goals scored on first three shots by Saint John.
Quebec-first-round-selection-18th-overall-in-2017-Pierrick-Dube-photo-courtesy-of-Remi-Garneau-of-infosportquebec
“We would want to see the guy with their heads down, we have to continue, It seemed I told the same things lately, I told the same thing yesterday, this passing week and the week before, but we found a way to come back, Baribeau has been very good when he came in the game, he is very solid for several games. He kept us in the game. When Baribeau gets in the game we have had a goaltending battle. In midget triple A they were the two best goalies in their age group and they proved it tonight. I would like to see us be more opportunistic but it wasn’t the case.” Ended Quebec head coach Boucher.
Quebec next game will be next Wednesday hosting Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday
Moncton 3 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 6
Victoriaville 4 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 5 (overtime)
Val-d’Or 2 vs. Cape Breton 4
Sherbrooke 4 vs. Chicoutimi 2
Rimouski 0 vs. Gatineau 3
Charlottetown 4 vs. Shawinigan 1
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @ProHockeyNews
You must be logged in to post a comment.