Val-d’Or wins first game over Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Facing their former goaltender Derek Baribeau in first of two meetings over the weekend, Val-d’Or won 6-2 against Quebec. Allowing four goals on fifteen shots in two thirds of the game, Quebec head coach decided to pull his new goaltender Baribeau sending Evgeny Kiselev for the rest of the game. Already leading 5-2 in the beginning of third periods, Foreurs netminder Etienne Montpetit scores his team sixth goal as he stood in front of his net to make 16 saves in the third periods

The game began on an offensive note in Val-d’Or on Saturday night as four goals were scored two on each sides.

Quebec was the first team to break the ice on their first power play opportunity in the game. Trying to make the save on Quebec defenseman Christian Huntley shot from the blue line, Foreurs goaltender Etienne Montpetit got no chance as Matthew Boucher redirect the shot from beating Val-d’Or netminder over his left shoulder at 2:34.

Foreurs replied with next two goals taking the lead for the first time in the game. Ivan Koslov unassisted beat former Val-d’Or netminder Derek Baribeau left shoulder at 8:08. Baribeau had been acquired at the trading deadline on Friday morning in exchange for center Sean O’Brien.

Val-d’Or came back five minutes later taking the lead for first time in the game. Making first saved on former teammate Alexi Pepin, the puck bounce back on Nicolas Ouellet before beating Quebec netminder under left pad at 14:08.

But less than four minutes before the siren sound announcing the end of first period, Igor Larionov scored his first in the QMJHL league as he came out from behind Montpetit’s net to bring back both teams to square one at 17:51.

Val-d’Or continued to play strong hockey in middle frame adding two more goals to take a two goal leads after forty minutes of play.

Foreurs took advantage of a turnover by Quebec defenseman Darien Kielb along the left board in neutral zone, to regain the lead. Jake Smith, beat Quebec goalie Baribeau on his left side with only 1:57 gone in second periods.

Quebec new acquisition in goal Baribeau frustrated former teammate Simon Lafrance twice with his pads as he made two key saves to keep the prevent his former team to lead again by two for second times.

A bad bounced from the board lead to Val-d’Or fourth goals. Yohan Plamondon get the puck right in the slot beating Baribeau with 6:58 to play. Victim of four goals on fifteen shots Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher decided to make a change sending Evgeny Kiselev in taking the place of Derek Baribeau.

Dominating in third periods in shots on goal 16-9, Quebec wasn’t able to put a puck behind Montpetit, but on other end Val-d’Or adds two other goals to wins first of two meetings against Quebec, second one will be on Sunday afternoon.

Mathieu Nadeau took the rebound from Ivan Kozlov first shot partially block by Kiselev who came in middle frame in relieved to Baribeau. Nadeau’s goal came at 7:47.

Trailing by three Quebec got an excellent chance served on a silver plateau as they were the beneficiary of a five-on-three for 35 seconds. Taking his time-out Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher kept his goalie on the bench so Quebec played a six-on-three but unfortunately for the visiting team, Val-d’Or was able to keep the puck out of their own net.

As the team continued to try to kill their two penalty, with only one left Foreurs netminder Etienne Montpetit from behind his net he shoot the puck that went in the goal scoring Val-d’Or sixth goal at 18:24.

Two other movements were announced by the Quebec Remparts organization. First one saw forward Jeremy Laframboise been sent back to his Midget AAA team. The second one the Quebec General Manager and head coach Philippe Boucher announced this morning (Saturday morning) he claimed on waivers defenseman Samuel Hould from Val-d’Or Foreurs.

The 5’09’’ 170 played this year for Terrebonne Cobra in the junior AAA league. Playing for the Foreurs from January 2015 to the end of 2015-16 season cumulating a record of 5 goals 16 assists for 21 points in 76 games. With the Junior AAA team this year he has a record of 5 goals 34 assists for 39 points with a plus minus record of minus 24. Hould was able to come in time to play his first game with his new team on time for Saturday night game.

Quebec will end the four games in five nights with their second games in as many nights against the Val-d’Or Foreurs.

Six other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday night

Cape Breton 4 vs. Charlottetown 3 (overtime)

Saint John 1 vs. Halifax 4

Baie-Comeau 4 vs. Shawinigan 7

Rimouski 2 vs. Sherbrooke 4

Moncton 3 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 11

Gatineau 0 vs. Drummondville 5

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