Shawinigan in shootout over Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Leading the game for two-third of the game Shawinigan saw their opponent turn things around with two goals in 1:36 to take the lead for first time in the game. Bringing back both teams to square one with a goal with only 1:51 in third period, Shawinigan needed the shootout before winning 3-2 against the Quebec Remparts in front of 3,512 fans in centre Gervais auto.

Shawinigan decided to go first in shootout needing five shooters before getting a puck behind Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev. The first four shooters sent by Shawinigan head coach Claude Bechard were, Alexandre D’Aout, Alexandre Beauvillier, and Dmytro Timashov.

Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher sent Zachary Moody, Matthew Boucher, Jesse Sutton, Alexandre Sills and Bronson Beaton.

Shawinigan opened the scoring taking advantage of their first opportunity to send their power play unit, following the penalty to Quebec defenseman Aaron Dutra.

The wrist shot by Anthony Bouvillier hit Quebec goaltender stick, beating Evgeny Kiselev on his right side 1:56 into the opening period.

Shawinigan dominate 16-8 in shots on goal scoring the only goal of the period on their fifth one.

Trailing by one Zachary Moody look for something to happen invite Shawinigan Dennis Yan to drop his glove but ignored by the Cataractes left winger the Quebec forward found Shawinigan defenseman Gabriel Sylvestre answering his invitation.

Final result Quebec came out with power play since Sylvestre got an additional two minutes for instigating. Unfortunately for Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher visitor wasn’t able to get on board.

If Quebec has been dominated by Shawinigan in first period, Remparts played better in second, more specifically, in second half of the middle frame, with two goal in 1:36, taking the lead for first time in the game.

A penalty to Shawinigan veteran center Anthony Bauvillier opened the door to visitor. Zachary Moody, scored Quebec first goal, his first in last 22 games, his first in 2016 as his last goal was scored in December. Moody redirect the shot from Louis Filip Cote, with 3:30 remaining in second period.

Quebec came back 1:36 later, taking the lead for first time in the game. The slapshot by Quebec veteran center and Captain Bronson Beaton, left no chance to Shawinigan goaltender, beating Mikhael Denisov over his right shoulder, with 1:54 left to play in the middle frame.

Shawinigan still dominated in shots on goal 22-17 but Quebec got the best in second period

Shawinigan came back tying the score 2-2 with only 1:51 gone in third period. Beating Quebec defenseman Christian Huntley Brandon Gignac made great pass to Beauvillier who scores his second of the game, bringing both teams to square one.

Evgeny Kiselev made key save against Shawinigan veteran left winger Dennis Yan keeping the score 2-2 leading to the overtime period.

The three-on-three overtime period offered lots of actions with both teams getting chances to get the win but each times respective goaltenders made the saves to push the game needing shootout to determine a winner.

Beauvillier got first scoring opportunity in overtime but Kiselev made the save breakaways by respective teams involves Aaron Dutra and Alexandre Sills on Quebec side and Samuel Girard and again Beauvillier but on each occasions whether Kiselev or Denisov made the save.

In shootout four players on each sides saw the opposite netminder made the saves or the shooters missed the net.

Finally Shawinigan center Brandon Gignac who did excellent job on Cataractes second goal made the difference beating Quebec netminder for the only goal in shootout. Quebec center Bronson Beaton saw his shot been saves by Cataractes netminder Denisov.

Quebec will be back home next Thursday hosting the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday

Val-d’Or 4 vs. Baie-Comeau 0

Halifax 4 vs. Cape Breton 7

Moncton 3 vs. Charlottetown 4

Acadie-Bathurst 4 vs. Saint John 7

Rouyn-Noranda 4 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 3 (overtime)

Victoriaville 1 vs. Gatineau 4

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