The Quebec Remparts faced a big challenge Wednesday evening, since the Moncton Wildcats, who sit at the top of the QMJHL general standings, were visiting the Videotron Center.
Éric Veilleux’s troop, located in 14th place before the game, fought well, but fell 7 to 4.
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The meeting started badly for the local favorites. They were dominated in all facets of the game and 17 to 4 in terms of shots on goal in the first period.
However, a goal from Thomas Auger scored with just 7.3 seconds left in the opening period allowed the Red Devils to retreat to the locker room late by a single goal and come back strong in the second period.
“We had to stop watching them play. We thought they were stars, but they weren’t stars. We were able to play against them! We proved it in the second and third,” said the man who played a first match against his former teammates after joining the Remparts in mid-October.
Goyette gets up
In the second period, veteran Loïc Goyette took matters into his own hands by scoring three times to tie the game on as many occasions.
“Even though these guys are at the top of the rankings, we are able to compete with them. The goal [de Thomas Auger] gave us energy and we responded well afterwards. I think we can continue to work on that,” said the man who earned the second star of the evening with his first career hat trick.
Denault can do better
In the coaching staff bunkers, Veilleux also noted that the start of the match had been difficult. He was, however, delighted with the response of his protégés from the middle period onwards.
“There is reason to be proud of our players. They proved themselves once again. I find it a moral shame, except that that’s four good teams that we face in our last five matches.”
The pilot, however, suggested without stretching himself that goaltender Louis-Antoine Denault, who made 27 saves in 33 shots, “can be better”.
It must be believed that Wildcats coach Gardiner MacDougall also thought the same thing about his starting goalkeeper Keegan Warren (13 saves on 17 shots) whom he replaced with Jacob Steinman after 40 minutes of play.
Possible heavy loss for Quebec
During the match, the Remparts lost the services of attacker Xavier Lebel. He appeared to injure his upper body during a fall in the final minutes of the first period and did not return to the game.
It was not possible to obtain further details as to the duration of his absence after the meeting, because Veilleux “had not yet spoken” to the medical staff.
In the notebook
– First round prospect in the next NHL draft, Caleb Desnoyers added three points, including a goal, to his record. He now has 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points in 18 games.
– The Remparts will play their next match Saturday afternoon, against the Drummondville Voltigeurs, at the Videotron Center. The Vanier Cup final between the Laval University Rouge et Or and the Laurier Golden Hawks will be shown on the giant screen starting at 12:30 p.m.
