QMJHL sweeps Russia with 4-3 win
SHERBROOKE, Wednesday, November 20, 2013 – Anthony Duclair of the Quebec Remparts broke a 3-3 tie in the third period netting the game-winner for Team QMJHL before a crowd of 3,302 fans in Sherbrooke.
The victory gave Team QMJHL the two-game sweep over Team Russia for just the fourth time in 11 years and first since 2009.
Team QMJHL opened the scoring with a goal from Daniel Audette of the host Phoenix to the delight of the home crowd at 3:11 of the first period.
During a 5-minute power play, the Russians tied the game on a goal from Mark Skutar. Valentin Zykov and Denis Gorbunov both of the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar assisted on the goal at 13:57.
The home team went back on top courtesy of Detroit Red Wings prospect Anthony Mantha of the Val-d’Or Foreurs who scored his second goal of the series. Jonathan Drouin of the Halifax Mooseheads and Game 1 MVP Charles Hudon of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens provided assists on the marker.
With only 8.2 seconds left in the first period, the Russians tied the game on a goal by Igor Rudenkov.
With the score tied 2-2 early in the second period, Team QMJHL claimed the lead when Christopher Clapperton of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada deflected a shot from Daniel Walcott at 4:33. Marc-Olivier Roy also chipped in an assist on the play giving the Armada trio each a point on the play.
The Russians tied it up again thanks to top 2014 NHL Draft prospect Ivan Barbashev of the Moncton Wildcats with Player of the Game Vladimir Tkachyov picking up his second assist.
Duclair, a New York Rangers prospect, scored the game-winner at the 12:26 mark of the third period with the assists going to Nikolas Brouillard of the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Audette who earned his second point of the contest.
Sebastien Auger of the Saint John Sea Dogs made 22 saves in the win while the QMJHL outshot the Russians 41-25.
Hometown hero Audette received Player of the Game honours for Team QMJHL.
Audette was inserted into the line-up in place of William Carrier of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Brouillard replaced defender Alexis Vanier of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, who was injured in Game 1.
Team Russia will now head to Ontario where they will play two games against Team OHL beginning Thursday night in Oshawa.
2013 SUBWAY Super Series schedule (7pm local start times):
Game 1 – Monday, November 18, at Gatineau, QC (QMJHL wins 3-2) – Game Summary
Game 2 – Wednesday, November 20, at Sherbrooke, QC (QMJHL wins 4-3) – Game Summary
Game 3 – Thursday, November 21, at Oshawa, ON
(Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 590 The FAN)
Game 4 – Monday, November 25, at Sudbury, ON
(Sportsnet East, and ONE, Sportsnet 590 The FAN)
Game 5 – Wednesday, November 27, at Red Deer, AB
(Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, and Pacific)
Game 6 – Thursday, November 28, at Lethbridge, AB
(Sportsnet ONE, and Sportsnet 590 and 960 The FAN)
For information about rosters and tickets please visit www.subwaysuperseries.ca.