Victoriaville return home winning game two in Drummondville

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Losing game one after scoring first two goals in that game on first four shots, Victoriaville made sure they did not give any chance to Drummondville to repeat what they were able to do in game one. Leading 2-0 in beginning of second periods, Victoriaville wins 4-1 with last goal in an empty net winning game two making sure to return in front of their fans next Monday with series been tied and getting ice advantage.

“Etienne (Montpetit) has been very solid in goal and we got the first goal,” resumed Victoriaville head coach Louis Robitaille after the game.

“When we prepared to play against a line like that, we tried to put our best players against them tonight the line of Harwell and Lauzon did excellent job, but we also have other line that can answer.” Victoriaville head coach Robitaille said about the job of his line did to neutralize Comtois, Abramov and Simoneau.

Being out of the entire first round due to injury, Victoriaville captain Felix Lauzon made his presence felt ending his game with one goal two assists.

“We return home with ice advantage so tonight was real important, answered Victoriaville captain Felix Lauzon. “Yes it was fun seeing all our fans at the end, we felt almost at home hearing them been behind us even on the road, we expect the same as both town are only 45 minutes away. We really appreciate it.”

Dominating 14-6 in shot on goal, Drummondville saw their opponent scoring first in shorthanded situation. Contrary to Friday night game where the Tigres scored their first two goals on their first four shots, Victoriaville break the ice first but with 21.3 seconds remaining in the opening period. Tigres left winger Maxime Comtois made pass to Felix Lauzon beating Olivier Rodrigue top corner for his first goal of the playoff.

Going 5-in-29 for 23.5 percent Drummondville got two power play opportunities as they were shut down on first occasion but allowing unique goal of the opening period on their second power plays. Veteran Victoriaville forward Comtois has been penalized for roughing with only 46 seconds gone in first as Drummondville defenseman Marc-Olivier Duquette left the game immediately. Tigres Ivan Kosenrenko was in the box when Victoriaville opened the scoring.

Getting their first power play opportunity in the game, in second periods, Victoriaville adds to their lead but just has Drummondville player came back on the ice, so the goal has been scored at even strength. Victoriaville defenseman Vincent Lanoue wrist shot beat Voltigeurs netminder over right shoulder 7:36 into middle frame.

Drummondville got on board on their power third play opportunities. The visitor broke the ice as Morgan Adam-Moisan scored his second of the playoff as he had missed the entire first round due to injury. Leaving the game with only 46 seconds gone in first period, Drummondville defenseman Marc-Olivier Duquette, came back in second periods gettind an assist on Voltigeurs first goal. Adam-Moisan goal came at 10:11.

Victoriaville regained their two goal leads playing on their third power plays in the game. Tigres defenseman Chase Harwell redirect a shot by teammate Jimmy Huntington with 7:40 remaining in middle frame.

Only one goal was scored in third periods and it came from the stick of Victoriaville forward Mathieu Sevigny in an empty net sealing game two in favor of Tigres at 18:32.

For Drummondville head coach Dominique Ducharme the penalty kill was the difference compared to the first game. “Our Penalty kill was different, we let too many chances, big chance where they took advantage of. We have to stay out of penalty box.” Drummondville head coach Dominique Ducharme said after the game.

Losing ice advantage in playoff didn’t seem to bother Voltigeurs head coach Ducharme since his team has good record on the road. “No not really, we have great record on the road, we won three games on the road in first series.” Answered Voltigeurs head coach Ducharme in response to the fact Victoriaville won game two of that series in Drummondville. “It will be a long series, whether it is 1-1 after first two games, we can say it is normal.”

Game three of Drummondville and Victoriaville series will transfer in Victoriaville next Monday night.

Two other second round series were on QMJHL schedule on Saturday.

Sherbrooke 1 vs. Acadie-Bathurst 5 (Acadie-Bathurst lead series 2-0)

Charlottetown 7 vs. Halifax 4 (Charlottetown lead series 2-0)

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