Victoriaville gets last word in shootout over Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Leading for most of the game 3-0, Victoriaville saw Quebec playing their best hockey tying the score 3-3 with 23.5 seconds remaining on the clock. Unable to get the game winning goal in overtime, Victoriaville got the last word in shootout winning 4-3 on goal by Felix Lauzon.

Dominating 14-3 in shots on goal, Victoriaville drew first blood in the game.

Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev frustrated Maxime Contois with a glove save on backhanded shot by Tigres left winger, Pascal Laberge took his own rebound to beat Quebec goaltender as he came from behind the net sliding the puck between Kiselev right pad and the post at 3:50. Felix Lauzon and Chase Harwell got the assists.

Quebec got the only power play in the first period following a penalty to Tigres center Alexandre Goulet. Victoriaville successfully killed the penalty.

Showing in Victoriaville without his best scorer and Captain Matthew Boucher (out until playoff with high ankle sprain), defenseman Andrew Pico (shoulder injury) and goaltender Dereck Baribeau (groin injury), Quebec loses another player to possible injury when Igor Larionov junior left the game in opening period.

Victoriaville continued their domination in second periods adding two more goals to their lead. Getting their first pwer play in the game following a penalty to Quebec left winger philipp Kurashev Tigres scored their second goals in the game as the penalty to Kurashev ended.

Pmerleau scored Victoriaville second goal as he went in the shot taking rebound from the shot from defenseman Bradley Lalonde at 3:55.

Making first save on Pascal Laberge from the point, Chase Harwell beat Kiselev on his right side at 8:58. It was the seventh goal of the regular season for the former Sherbrooke Phoenix right winger.

Quebec got their best moment in the game in last five minutes of middle frame as they got a five-on-three originally for 1:24 following consecutive penalties to James Phelan and Chase Harwell. A penalty to Quebec left winger Olivier Garneau cut the five-on-three becoming a four-on-three with 2:36 to play. Unfortunately for Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher his team was unable to break the ice during those opportunities.

Trailing by three to open the third period, Quebec put pressure in Victoriaville zone, scoring two goals in span of 2:03.

A solid check along the board by Quebec Yanick Turcotte on Nicolas Latulippe led to Quebec first goal scored by defenseman Benjamin Gagne who came to the slot beating Victoriaville goaltender James Povall who was perfect until 3:24 of the third period.

Just 2:03 later Quebec came back with their second goal in the game cutting Tigres leads to only one goal. Making the save on first shot on goal by former teammate Mathieu Ayotte, Derek Gentile took the rebound and scored first Quebec goal on four power play attempts.

Making several key saves during game preventing the opponent to add to their leads Quebec goalie made his most important save of the game when he frustrated James Phelan with a glove save with 1:46 remaining in the third period.

Pulling his starting netminder playing six-on-five, Gentile scored his second of the game, second in third periods with only 23.5 seconds remaining to complete Quebec come from behind scoring Quebec third goal forcing both teams to go in overtime.

Playing three-on-three both teams got opportunities to end the game before the five minutes overtime ended. A penalty to Victoriaville Felix Lauzon for hoking with 1:45 to play gave Quebec a golden opportunity playing at four-on-three. Quebec was unable to take advantage of it having to go in shootout.

As Victoriaville netminder Povall was perfect against Mathieu Ayotte, Derek Gentile and Dmitry Buynitskiy, Quebec made the saves against Pascal Laberge, Ivan Koserenko but has been beaten against Felix Lauzon giving victory to Victoriaville in shootout.

Quebec next game will be at home in Videotron Center next Tuesday February 14 hosting Cape Breton.

Four other games were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday

Val-d’Or 1 vs. Baie-Comeau 7

Moncton 2 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 3

Drummondville 0 vs. Charlottetown 9

Shawinigan 3 vs. Saint John 0

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