QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Trailing through two periods, Sherbrooke came back in the third scoring four unanswered goals leading them to 4-1 win over Quebec. Donald Audette was the best offensive player scoring two goals (first was shorthanded).
Opening face off between Sherbrooke center Donald Audette (28) and Quebec center Bronson Beaton photo by Serge Poulin
Quebec broke the ice on a two-on-one breakaway in first period. Taking advantage of turnover at Quebec own zone Massimo Carozza made a great pass to Matthew Boucher beating Sherbrooke goaltender Alexandre Lagace on his right side with wrist shot at 9:16.
Sherbrooke though they had tied the game with 2:52 remaining but an offside at blue line prevented Julien Pelletier of Phoenix first goal. Quebec got another great scoring opportunity on another two-on-one breakaway involving Bronson Beaton and Matthew Boucher but this time Sherbrooke netminder made the save against Quebec center Beaton.
A turnover on Quebec blue line gave two-on-one breakaway. Losing the puck in his own blue line Alexandre Coulombe saw Sherbrooke center Audette made pass to Julien Pelletier seeing Quebec goalie Callum Booth making key glove save best of the middle frame preventing the visitor to get on the board.
After scoreless second period Sherbrooke came back in third taking charge scoring four times to go back home with the victory.
Kevin Gilbert get Sherbrooke on board with Phoenix first goal beating Quebec netminder on right side with backhand shot at 5:34. Quebec defenseman lose the puck to Mikael Sabourin who made pass to Jeremy Roy.
First save by Sherbrooke goaltender Alexandre Lagace photo by Serge Poulin
Visitor took the lead for first time on Audette first of two goals in the third period. A penalty for checking from behind to Quebec forward Yanick Turcotte gave the opportunity the visitor look for to try to take the lead for the first time.
Traded during last QMJHL draft last summer Guillaume Gauthier came to aunt his former teammate as his shot been redirected by Audette over Quebec netminder shoulder at 7:25.
“The game turned on their side following my penalty, I will take the blame for that one,” began to say Quebec forward Yanick Turcotte. “The guys turn is back I hit him but we never though the game could turn the other way following the penalty. I will have to check it out if it’s really a penalty. I saw his shoulder I went to hit him and he just turn his back as I hit him.” Continued Turcotte.
Sherbrooke came back more than six minutes later scoring another goal this time in shorthanded situation. Trying to kill Nicolas Poulin penalty for high sticking Audette took his own rebound beating Callum Booth top corner at 13:51.
Last goal of the game came from the stick of former Quebec rampart left winger Guillaume Gauthier scoring his 27th of the year in an empty net at 18:19.
Quebec new defenseman Alexandre Coulombe acquired from Moncton Wildcats photo by Serge Poulin
“We work hard, we were ready we came out strong in first ten minutes, after that we have had little down and we took some bad penalties that affected us losing the momentum a bit but we came back, “ resumed Sherbrooke new head coach Stephane Julien near his team locker room after the game.
“We did not seem too confident in our last two games to score goals but we scored key goals tonight that gave us the game.”
For Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher he seem to like the way his team played the game even if his team came out on losing end.
“Honestly I like the way we played in first and second, we played well. In third we saw players like Audette and Roy taking charge of the game, we have had little brake down that hurt us. Lucky goal on shorthanded situation and for us it is tougher to get the puck in. Presently we miss certain elements at forward it is little bit complicated but I like our first period. That is the way we will have to play, preventing scoring chances, make sure Callum see the puck and he will make the key saves.”
After the game Quebec head coach and General Manager announced a major trade. Quebec offensive defenseman Nikolas Brouillard has been traded to Rouyn-Noranda Huskies for first round pick in 2018, a second and third round pick in 2016 and veteran center Alexandre Sills.
Sherbrooke defenseman Alexandre Roy looking the action in Quebec zone ended his night with two assists photo by Serge Poulin
“It is sad to leave Quebec I have had very great year last year with the Memorial Cup, we almost won the President Cup, we have had very good year last year. We have had great group of players last year this year too. I love the town I was really well here but I go to Rouyn-Noranda with a team that expect and aspire to the great honor there. So sure I’m happy.” Said Nikolas Brouillard
Quebec return in action on Tuesday hosting the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.
Eight other games were on QMJHL schedule on Monday night
Charlottetown 4 vs. Cape Breton 1
Moncton 3 vs. Halifax 2
Acadie-Bathurst 6 vs. Saint John 5 (overtime)
Chicoutimi 3 vs. Drummondville 2
Rouyn-Noranda 1 vs. Gatineau 4
Baie-Comeau 0 vs. Shawinigan 8
Rimouski 1 vs. Victoriaville 6
Val-d’Or 3 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 1
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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