QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Taking the ice in game three of the Memorial Cup tournament, the Shawinigan Cataractes needed to play a very good game to get their first win of the tournament and stay alive. Following the game plan to the T, the Cataractes please the fans in Centre Bionest with a 6-2 win over the London Knights.
One name can resume the first period of game three between the QMJHL host team Shawinigan and the Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights and that name was Michael Houser. Cataractes did what they had to do to get the crowd fired up dominating the shot on goal 9- 2 in first 10:55 ending the opening period 14-6.
As he did against other QMJHL team Saint John Sea Dogs London in game two of the Memorial Cup goaltender Houser made key saves to prevent the host team to open the scoring.
As often happened when team dominate and was unable to score, you often see the other one taking the lead. That’s exactly what happened.
Being opportunistic London right winger Josh Anderson tipped in the puck previously shot by Tommy Hughes at 10:47 beating Gabriel Girard who get the nod to begin the game instead of Alex Dubeau giving the Knights a 1-0 lead.
Been undisciplined London saw two of their players going to penalty box in same time giving the Cataractes an excellent chance to tie the game with two-men-advantage. London did an exquisite job killing both penalties with the help of their netminder Houser who made saves against Michael Chaput Michael Bournival.
But taking advantage of players being tired after killing both penalties Shawinigan captain Bournival took a rebound shot beating London netminder for the tying goal only 13 seconds after penalties ended. Cataractes goal was scored at 16:23 of the opening period.
London ended first period playing with a man advantage but the Cataractes was able to kill the penalty entirely before the period ended. Shawinigan not just doubled the shots on goal leading 14-6 but also dominated territorially.
Shawinigan continued to play very strong hockey taking the league for first time in the game 57 seconds into second period.
After seeing London goalie Houser making first save on Jonathan Narbonne’s shot from the blue line, teammates defenseman jumped in the play taking the rebound to beat Houser five holes.
Thinking they had scored a third goal in the game Shawinigan saw referee Sean Reed from the Ontario Hockey League waving the goal off. Going upstairs to review the play the video review confirmed the referee decision was the right one. Scores stay 2-1 Cataractes.
Shawinigan proved an axiom that said when you take a shot on goal things can happen. Killing a penalty to teammates Yannick Veilleux the Cataractes took advantage of turnover seeing Loik Poudrier taking a shot beating Knights goalie top shelve at 10:37.
London came back right on the same power play 22 seconds later. Being one-on-one with Cataractes veteran goalie Girard, Knights left winger Andreas Athanasiou berry it in for London second goal in the game, their first with a man advantage in four attempts.
Totally dominated in first period Mark Hunter team returned to their locker room with the score tied 1- 1. In second the London narrowed the shots on goal margin leading 10- 8 in shots on goal in second but trailed by only one 3-2 after forty minutes. Shawinigan still has the lead in shots on goal department after two periods 22-16.
Shawinigan began the third period on power play following bench minor at 20:00 of second period being unable to do anything offensively. But with 3:20 gone Pierre-Olivier Morin gave Shawinigan a two goal leads for second time in the game beating Hauser top shelves.
Thinking they had reduced the lead to one goal for second times in the game, London saw referee Reed wave off Knights goal, explaining his decision to London head coach Mark Hunter without needing to go to video review.
Taking bad penalty not at the best moment in the game Max Domi can’t do anything being sit in the box when Shawinigan defenseman Gormley scores his second goal of the night putting the last nail in London coffin in that game at 9:44. Hiding near goalmouth the Cataractes defenseman put the puck behind Knights goalie for Shawinigan fifth goals.
Shawinigan center Michael Chaput scored Shawinigan last goal for the night in an empty net at 18:15 of third period.
Next game will be this Monday night when the QMJHL President Cup champion and defending Memorial Cup title Saint John will face Edmonton Oil Kings.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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