Sherbrooke goaltender Alex Bureau made 24 saves facing Quebec 28 shots photo by Serge Poulin
QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Losers of their last three games Sherbrooke came to Quebec knowing it would not be an easy game as Quebec added new player back in the line-up after playing in the World Junior Championship. Scoring four times in second period the Sherbrooke Phoenix surprised Quebec 7-4.
Quebec open the scoring as defenseman Nikolas Brouillard saw his shot from the blueline been redirected by teammate Vladimir Tkachev at 8:40.
Sherbrooke tied the game less than eight minutes later with defenseman Jeremy Roy beat Quebec goaltender Callum Booth under his right arm at 16:07.
In the second period, both teams scored a total of seven goals; four came from the visiting team three others from Quebec with Sherbroke leading 5-4 after forty minutes. Quebec regained the lead when the wrist shot from Adam Erne from the blue line beat Alex Bureau with 18:55 to play in middle frame.
Sherbrooke came back 2:12 later to tie the game with Cameron Darcy 9th of the year. Darcy wrist shot beat Quebec netminder to his right side. A penalty shot given to Adam Erne gave Quebec a lead for third times in the game. Erne penalty shot was at 16:25 of the second period.
Quebec goaltender Callum Booth stopping the action photo by Serge Poulin
Sherbrooke brought both teams back to square one with the Phoenix third goals scored by David Storco at 5:07. Sherbrooke came right back with their fourth goals in the game to take the lead for the first time in the game.
Taking a loose puck after Quebec goalie tried to pass by the board Nicolas Poulin wrist shot beat Booth on his left side with 14:53 remaining.
After allowing four goals on fifteen shots Quebec head coach decide to pull his starting netminder after ten consecutive starts sending Xavier Potvin in for the rest of the game.
Trailing for the first time in the game Quebec tied the game 4-4 with 8:09 left to play. After losing the puck at the blue line Quebec defenseman Matt Murphy saw his teammate Marc-Olivier Roy picked the loose puck to finally score his 18th of the season.
But before the second period ended Sherbrooke took the leads for second time in the game. Trying to make a pass to one of his teammates the young Potvin saw his pass been intercepted leading to Sherbrooke fifth goal scored by Daniel Audette 1:01 after Quebec tied the game 4-4.
Back on the ice leading Quebec by one goal, the visitor came back with what is used to call a back breaking goal that gave Sherbrooke a two goals lead. A goal scored in shorthanded situation scored by Raphael Lafontaine at 14:42.
David Storco with his second of the game this one in an empty sealed Sherbrooke victory after three consecutive loss.
ck from World Junior National team left winger Anthony Duclair played his first game with the Remparts photo by Serge Poulin
“The goal tonight was to break the party, “Sherbrooke head coach Judes Valle said after the game with the return of Anthony Duclair from the Canadian National Junior team.
“Guys did a very good job working very hard in both sides of the ice, our penalty killing did not gave anything and Alex Bureau has been extraordinaire in crucial moment. It is big victory for us, we went through a tough period losing our last three games. It is very encouraging it is very positive for us.”
Back from the National Junior team with a gold medal around his neck Anthony Duclair gave credit to the opponent team following his team loss. “We know Sherbrooke is good team since the season begins, we knew it would be a tough game for us but we will bounce back.”
“I was anxious, excited for sure before the game,” admitted Duclair. “Coming back to Quebec I was really motivated but in same time I came back from the World Championship I’m more mentally tired than physically. It was fine tonight. I thought I wouldn’t need to make adjustment but I have had to make one.” Said the one who won the gold medal with the Canadian Junior National team.
“Sherbrooke deserved the win,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher instead of breaking the party making allusion to the return of Anthony Duclair. “They work hard and never stop. It is the way it work, the team that worked the hardest is often the one that win the game.” Continued Remparts coach Boucher talking about the Phoenix victory over his team.
Quebec will play their next game Sunday afternoon visiting Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night
Blainville-Boisbriand 4 vs. Charlottetown 3 (shootout)
Gatineau 3 vs. Halifax 6
Cape Breton 8 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 1
Baie-Comeau 4 vs. Victoriaville 9
Chicoutimi 2 vs. Rouyn-Noranda 5
Rimouski 4 vs. Val-d’Or 2
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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