Game Recap – March 6th
This is the last weekend in Gatineau’s protected environment and the Olympiques faced the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in today’s match.
Early in the game, the Huskies had a power play but were unable to capitalize. They gained in momentum with good scoring chances afterwards.
Their rhythm was broken by a penalty and the momentum immediately changed sides. After some good saves by Samuel Richard, the Olympiques finally broke the ice. Andrew Coxhead first shot the puck on reception and then took his own return which ended up behind Richard.
2nd period
The Olympiques came back in the second period at the same pace as they finished in the first which resulted in two quick goals for the Gatineau team.
Firstly, Zach Dean took advantage of a favorable leap from the puck that slid along the goal line before it finally passed which doubled the lead. Forty seconds later, Alexei Prokopenko, working strongly in front of the net, pushed a loose puck just across the goal line. The officials had to review the play before confirming the Russian forward’s first goal in the circuit.
Just under six minutes later, Oleksii Myklukha narrowed the lead to two goals but the Olympiques shattered their hope for a quick comeback.
Firstly, Noah Warren took advantage of a skillful pass from Antonin Verreault in front of the net to also score his first in the QMJHL. A little over two minutes later, Isaac Belliveau then sent a puck to the net that managed to slip past the Huskies goaltender.
Finally, Antonin Verreault put an exclamation point on this second period by beating the opposing goalie between the pads to make it 6-1.
3rd period
The Huskies started the period on the power play and William Rouleau took advantage of a throwback to Rémi Poirier’s right to make it 6-2.
Five minutes later, once again on the power play, Dovovan Arsenault kept the Huskies comeback possible with his sixth of the season and narrowed the difference to three goals with just over 13 minutes left in the third period.
However, it was a little too late. Emile Gaboury scored with only eleven seconds left in the period, also his first goal in the league. The Olympiques recorded their fifth straight victory.
Final score : 7-3 Olympiques
