Val-d’Or wins in Quebec | Pro Hockey News

ec left winger Matthew Boucher went in the net as he drove Val-d’Or goal protected by Etienne Mompetit photo by Serge Poulin – Copy

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Winning the night before in Drummondville, Val-d’Or came to Quebec with the desired to conclude their weekend on perfect notes. Scoring their first goal in shorthanded situation with only 2:03 in the game it gave them the momentum and never look back leading them to 5-1 win over Quebec. Jan Mandat with one goal one assist was the offensive leader for the Foreurs.

Val-d’Or opened the scoring as the visitors played in shorthanded situation with teammate Carl Tremblay in the box. Losing the puck Quebec forward Bronson Beaton saw Foreurs center Jan Mandat wrist shot beat Quebec goaltender Julian Galloway top corner on right side at 2:03.

Val-d’Or goaltender made several key saves keeping his team lead. Quebec best scoring chances came from the stick of Charley Graaskamp (2), Matthew Boucher and Bronson Beaton (1) each.

Getting their first power play opportunity following a penalty to Quebec forward Olivier Garneau Foreurs adds to their lead. After seeing his first shot hitting the post Val-d’Or center William Gignac backhand shot beat Quebec goalie at 7:07 of middle frame.

Val-d’Or first goal shorthanded one scored by Yan Mndat photo by Serge Poulin

Already been one-in-two with man advantage the visiting team has been the beneficiary of a two men advantage for 28 seconds following a penalty taken by Dmytro Timashov, Matthew Boucher was already in the box.

Quebec successfully killed the five –on-three but the visitors scored a second goal in the middle frame third in the game as Julien Gauthier scored on breakaway beating Quebec goalie high on left side following a block shot on Quebec defenseman Matt Murphy at 15:01.

Trailing by three Quebec got their first goal playing at even strength a great pass by Matthrew Boucher to Auguste Impose in slot who saw Val-d’Or netminder Mompetit block partially his shot with his glove but the puck went in with 1:03 remaining in the period.

Val-d’Or regained their three-goal lead only 23 seconds later as Nicolas Aube Kubel beat Galloway on left side with backhand shot.

Quebec best defenseman Nikolas Brouillard on first Remparts power play photo by Serge Poulin – Copy

Trailing by three for a second time in the game Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher pulled his starting netminder playing all in with 3:29 remaining in the game but Jan Mandat and Olivier Galipeau untied their effort with Mandat been generous toward Galipeau scoring his third goals of the year in an empty net for visitors fifth goal with 2:03 remaining.

“Our first period wasn’t good but I think we played the second and third period according to game plan. What we had to do is to put lots of shots on goal guys followed game plan and we didn’t give anything. Our penalty killing did great job we still have to work our power play, overall we did not give too much space to their defensemen. So as we followed the game plan yes I’m satisfied of getting big win here.” Val-d’Or head coach Mario Durocher said after the game.

For Quebec defenseman Nikolas Brouillard, he didn’t look for any excuses about his team performance. “The execution the effort wasn’t really there,” Quebec defenseman admitted after the game. “It wasn’t really good game for us.”

Brouillard wasn’t agreed exactly when a reporter asked if he felt the other teams took special attention to him. “Yes and no I think every teams playing against us know we have great defensive unit and couple veteran so we used to see it. I think it was more on our side that happened.” Ended Quebec best defenseman Brouillard.

Quebec left wiger Dmytro Timashov in offensive zone photo by Serge Poulin – Copy

“Very bad performance honestly we didn’t, we aren’t there I can’t explained. We played very well on Friday don’t know if we were too high or the adrenaline of Friday night we weren’t able to get back, it wasn’t like that we played this year, it isn’t the way we want to play. We did mistakes tonight that we weren’t used to do and it is so sad for Galloway because he played well today and everyone knows it wasn’t easy for him on personal level (two of his friends died) on the ice it was tough for him. So today I would like his teammates played better for him.” Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher said.

Quebec will leave next Tuesday for a three games in four night in the Maritimes beginning with first stop in Charlottetown on Wednesday facing the Islanders and Thursday in Saint John.

Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Sunday

Acadie-Bathurst 4 vs. Moncton 3 (overtime)

Gatineau 3 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 2

Shawinigan 3 vs. Rimouski 2 (overtime)

Victoriaville 3 vs. Sherbrooke 2

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