Shawinigan rallies past Quebec

Quebec left einger Olivier Garneau (14) is a true leader for Quebec Remparts photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Coming to Quebec after winning against Blainville-Boisbriand on Friday night, Shawinigan scores two goals in 42 seconds in third periods to transform what could be a loss in another win 3-1 over Quebec to complete their weekend. Nicholas Welsh and Brandon Gignac scored twice in span of 42 seconds to turn things around from 0-1 to a 2-1 lead. Last goal was scored in an empty net with one second on the clock.

The game began with some animosity between Shawinigan and Quebec with two fights inside first six minute into the game.

A furious fight broke out with only 1:15 gone in the opening period between Quebec enforcer Yanick Turcotte and Mathieu Olivier. Besides earning five for fighting Turcotte earned an additional 10-minute misconduct.

Defending a teammate who had been hit from behind, Cameron Askew dropped his gloves fighting Quebec defenseman Andrew Pico 5:38 into opening period. Quebec defenseman got additional two minutes for hitting from behind.

Playing shorthanded situation for four times in first period, two five-on-three, first one for 23 seconds, the other for eight seconds Quebec successfully killed all penalties without any damage.

Quebec got only one chance with man up ending the first period but Shawinigan also killed it preventing home team to break the ice.

As the game went on in second period, each team got great scoring chances but on each times in first half of second periods both goalies made key saves.

Shawinigan defenseman Nicholas Welsh (77) scores Cataractes first goal in third period photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

Quebec got second opportunity on the power play when Shawinigan Vincent Senez found guilty of roughing at 4:37 but like his opponent netminder Zachary Boutillier made the save preventing Quebec to get on board first.

After first forty scoreless minutes Quebec got on the scoreboard 26 seconds into the third periods. Scoring his last goal on November 12-2016 meaning 22 games without scoring Quebec defenseman Christian Huntley wrist shot from the slot surprised Shawinigan goaltender Zachary Bouthillier on his right side.

Trailing by one, Shawinigan came back with two goals in 42 seconds to take the lead for the first time in the game. First defenseman Nicholas Welsh beat Quebec goalie with a slapshot over Evgeny Kiselev right shoulder at 13:38.

Just 42 seconds later Cataractes center Brandon Gignac wrist shot beat Kiselev under right arm at 14:20.

Trailing by one, looking for the equalizer Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher pulled his starting goaltender sending a sixth attackers but Shawinigan center Cameron Askew scored the insurance goal with one second left on the clock.

Shawinigan goaltender Zachary Bouthillier following the puck near his goalie crease photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

“I think we got lots of chances in first two periods,” Shawinigan head coach Claude Bouchard said after the game. “After two periods our stats showed us in scoring chances 12 or 13 to 3 in our favor. We have to be honest both goaltenders made lots of big saves, Kiselev made one in first period with his stick I didn’t know how he did it against Askew (Cameron), in second he made another one with his stick again. What is dangerous when you got lots of scoring chances and the score still tied after two periods it is always dangerous in the third, we didn’t know what can happen. It was exactly what happened since they found a way to score one in the beginning of the third. I like the way we reacted to it, we never gave-up, and found a way to score twice so it was a great demonstration of character.” Ended Cataractes head coach Bouchard.

While Olivier Garneau didn’t have points, the forward worked hard blocking shots and his head coach Philippe Boucher Praised his work.

“I always said Olivier (Garneau) is like our team barometer, when he is tired our team is tired, when he work hard like tonight he is a leader for us, guys followed him. Tonight it was really a great effort, he won the energy player last night, and will proudly keep the title tonight. He is really important for us.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said.

“In our first two periods we were very good, we worked real hard, unfortunately we have had a little let down in third and it cost us two goals.” Quebec left winger Olivier Garneau said.

Quebec center Louis-Philip Cote force Shawinigan netminder Bouthillier to make key save on Quebec center breakaway photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

“Unfortunately it was a good weekend yesterday, we work hard, we came out with the two points, today, we gave us a chance, guys were solid, our defensemen played good, we paid the price, we blocked shots, you have great ambiance. It is a great team, they showed why they are one of the best team in the league. That is the way we want to play, that is the way we have to play if we want to win games, we gave us a chance to win, unfortunately we did not shoot the puck I didn’t want to name names, if we score another goal maybe the score wouldn’t be the same.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said after the game.

Quebec return on the road taking the route of Maritimes for their next two games. First stop will be on Friday January 27 visiting Moncton. On Saturday January 28 they will face-off against Cape Breton.

Five other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday

Baie-Comeau 1 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 4

Sherbrooke 4 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 3

Charlottetown 5 vs. Drummondville 2

Cape Breton 7 vs. Moncton 1

Rouyn-Noranda 2 vs. Rimouski 1 (overtime)

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