QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing their second game without two of their best players (Mikhail Grigorenko and Nick Sorensen) haunted Quebec for second time in as many outings. Losing the night before in a shootout against Drummondville, Quebec thought they had the win leading by two, with less than a minute remaining in the game but two goals by J. C. Campagna in 41 seconds then adding third one in overtime led to a Shawinigan 5-4 overtime win.
Quebec struck first with 8:54 to play in the first period. A great pass from Patrick Walsh to Frederick Bergeron ended with the left winger’s 3rd goal of the season, beating former Quebec netminder Hugo Campeau over his right shoulder.
Playing without several players out of the line up whether for participating to National training camp leading to the World Junior Championship or due to injury, it’s always gratifying as a coach to see offensive contribution coming from the third and fourth lines.
After getting a goal in the first period by Bergeron, Patrick Roy was certainly happy to see Samuel Gauthier scoring his 2nd of the year playing on fourth line. Gauthier shot beat Shawinigan goalie over his right shoulder for second times in the game with 10:21 remaining in middle frame. Besides leading 2-0 after forty minutes of play Quebec also had the advantage in shots on goal department 23-17.
Shawinigan tied the game in first the 7:00 minutes of the third period.
Trying to get out of his own territory Quebec left winger Anthony Duclair lost the puck to Loik Poudrier who made a great pass to Vincent Arseneau beating Quebec goalie low with only 1:36 gone in third period.
Pressuring Quebec in their zone, Shawinigan took advantage of the situation with Dylan Labbe scoring his 3rd of the year with 13:36 remaining in the period. But Quebec came back with the next two goals to regain their two-goal lead in 1:23.
Taking a penalty against team that rank first with a man advantage (31.2 percent before the game 39-125) can come back to haunt you. Successfully killing the only power play against them in the game, Shawinigan wasn’t able to contain their opponent in second occasions.
Quebec regained the lead 3-2 on their second power play opportunity in the game on one-timer by Quebec power forward Adam Erne who left no chance to Campeau with 10:48 to go in the game.
Recently coming back in the lineup following summer shoulder surgery Patrick Walsh scored his first of the year deflecting a shot from defenseman Stephen Midensky at 10:33.
With Quebec leading by two with less than 2:00 left in the game Shawinigan came back to tied the game 4-4 with two goals in 41 seconds both goals scored by J. C. Campagna forcing Quebec to play in overtime for second consecutive game.
Guilty for high sticking with 6.6 seconds remaining in the game Quebec began the overtime forced to kill a penalty four-on-three. J. C. Campagna played the hero for Shawinigan completing his hat trick in overtime giving 5-4 win to the Cataractes against the Remparts.
Quebec will end the weekend playing in front of their fans (last game on November 30) hosting the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Sunday.
Eight other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday.
Prince Edward Island 5 vs. Cape Breton 2
Acadie-Bathurst 3 vs. Halifax 4
Saint John 4 vs. Moncton 3 (overtime)
Blainville-Boisbriand 3 vs. Val-d’Or 5
Victoriaville 2 vs. Baie-Comeau 6
Sherbrooke 5 vs. Drummondville 3
Chicoutimi 1 vs. Rimouski 2
Gatineau 3 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 5
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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