Cataractes top Olympiques in overtime

GATINEAU, Que. – Two of the QMJHL’s top teams met for a Thursday night tilt at the Centre Robert Guertin with both the Shawinigan Cataractes and Gatineau Olympiques boasting several new acquisitions from this year’s trade period. As expected, it was a battle until the end as 60 minutes of play was not enough in this contest.

The home side struck first as Alex Dostie put his 13th of the season past Philippe Cadorette 8:42 into the first period. Alexandre Carrier and Yakov Trenin grabbed assists.

Shawinigan got the equalizer in the second period when Cavan Fitzgerald, one of many new additions to the Cataractes over the holidays, beat Mathiue Bellemare at 18:45. Samuel Blier got the lone helper.

The third period was scoreless and the game remained knotted up at one goal apiece. Overtime was next for these two teams. In the extra frame, Dmytro Timashov found Dennis Yan who potted the winner sending the visitors home with a victory in their pocket.

Cadorette turned aside 39 shots in the win, while Bellemare made 29 saves for the losing squad.