QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Playing two games in three nights against Quebec, Val’d’Or won the front end of the two games, 5-2 on Wednesday night. Dominating 43-19 in shots on goal the Foreurs scored three times in the third period to win the game. Anthony Richard had the distinction of scoring the game winning goal; Mathieu Nadeau and Jan Mandat ended the game with one goal and one assist.
Three goals were scored in first period. After Quebec goaltender Callum Booth made the save on Richard on breakaway, Quebec broke the ice.
Already 0-in-1 with a man advantage Quebec took advantage of their second opportunity to get on the scoreboard. Left alone in near Val-d’Or goalie crease Dmytro Timashov slide the puck under Etienne Montpetit on pass from Derek Gentile scoring his fourth goals getting his 100 career points on his 73rd career games in QMJHL at 12:38.
Val-d’Or replied with two goals in less than two minutes, taking a 2-1 lead after first twenty minutes. Wanting to stop the puck behind his net Quebec netminder saw his pass attempt been intercepted by Alexis Pepin who made backhanded pass to Mathieu Nadeau who was left uncovered beating Booth with wrist shot at 14:27
The home team took the lead coming from behind the net. Giving too much space along the board, Foreurs right winger William Gignac came from behind the net to beat Quebec goalie in his left with 3:54 remaining to the period.
Dominated 21-14 in shots on goal 13-6 in second period Quebec was been the only team to score goal tying Val-d’Or 2-2 after forty minutes of play.
Beginning the middle frame with a man advantage following a penalty taken by Quebec defenseman Austin McEneney at the end of first period the Foreurs weren’t able to add to their lead being shut out on their only power play opportunity of the period.
After having seen Quebec goalie making big save against him with his right pad Jan Mandat got another great opportunity following veteran Quebec defenseman Matt Murphy losing the puck. Fortunately for visitor head coach Philippe Boucher, his netminder made another save with his right pad to keep the score 2-1 Val-d’Or.
Scoring their only goal playing on the power play being 1-in-2, Quebec took advantage of another power play situation to tie the game 2-2.
Making the first save on Quebec’s Matthew Boucher’s first shot, Foreurs goaltender Montpetit wasn’t able to do anything on Bronson Beaton redirecting the puck behind Val-d’Or goalie with 2:05 remaining.
Val-d’Or regained the lead playing at even strength. With the puck bouncing over the blade of defenseman Austin McEneney, Foreurs center Anthony Richard went on breakaway beating Quebec netminder over his left shoulder with a wrist shot with 3:05 left on the clock.
Val-d’Or didn’t miss their second power play chance, scoring their fourth goal in the game on their 40th shot. Nicolas Aube-Kubel left no chance to Booth as he blasted a one-timer following a pass from Anthony Beauregard.
Jan Mandat completed the scoring in an empty net, scoring Val-d’Or fifth goal with 47.4 seconds remaining to the game.
Quebec will play the second game against Val-d’Or on Friday night before going to Rouyn-Noranda playing the Huskies for two more games next Saturday and Sunday.
Three other games were on QMJHL schedule on Wednesday night
Halifax 2 vs. Acadie Bathurst 0
Charlottetown 4 vs. Drummondville 2
Sherbrooke 1 vs. Baie-Comeau 3
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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