Sherbrooke wins their home opener over Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Losing their first two games on the road in Shawinigan and Quebec, Sherbrooke won their opening game at home in front of their fans taking their revenge against Quebec winning 4-1. Samuel Poulin and Oliver Okuliar ended their night with two goals each.

Quebec began the game broke the ice with only 00:8 seconds gone in the opening period. Quebec left winger Aleksei Sergeev made perfect pass to teammate Louis-Filip Cote, beating Sherbrooke goaltender Brendan Cregan low on glove side, with a backhanded shot.

Going 4-in-8 before the game, running at 50 percent efficiency, Sherbrooke took advantage of their first power play opportunity, to tie the game. Making first save on Phoenix right winger Edward St-Laurent, Quebec goaltender Dereck Baribeau, didn’t had any chance, as he has been beaten over his left shoulder by Samuel Poulin backhanded shot, with 14:21 remaining in first period.

Getting the edge most of the first period even if both teams were tied 1-1, Sherbrooke took the lead in the second period. Seeing his first shot hit a player in front of Quebec netminder Baribeau, Alex-Olivier Voyer saw his teammate Oliver Okuliar wrist the rebound from right face-off circle beating Quebec netminder on glove side at 9:41.

Already going 0-in-2 with a man advantage in the game Quebec got third opportunities in middle frame as Phoenix defenseman Jaxon Bellamy has been found guilty for tripping. Sherbrooke killed penalty ending the second period still leading 2-1.

Trailing by one since half of middle frame, Quebec tried to get the equalizer as Remparts head coach Patrick Roy pulled his starting netminder with 2:37 remaining in third periods. Quebec put pressure in offensive zone. Trying to make a pass to one of his teammate in neutral zone Alex-Olivier Voyer saw his pass attempt been intercepted by Quebec defenseman Benjamin Gagne. Unable to control the puck Quebec defenseman saw Phoenix forward picking the loose puck going on breakaway to only have to put it in an empty net with 2:01 left on the clock.

Oliver Okuliar scored Sherbrooke fourth goal also in an empty net also for his second of the game at 18:58.

Quebec will end their weekend facing Drummondville on Saturday night completing the three games in three nights.

Seven other games were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night

Halifax 4 vs. Cape Breton 2

Saint John 2 vs. Moncton 5

Val-d’Or 1 vs. Victoriaville 3

Chicoutimi 4 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 1

Shawinigan 1 vs. Drummondville 12

Baie-Comeau 3 vs. Gatineau 2

Rouyn-Noranda 5 vs. Rimouski 1

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