The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies scored three goals in each of the first two periods, en route to an easy 7-2 victory against the Rimouski Océanic this Saturday night, in Abitibi.
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The only positive point in the Océanic camp, rookies Jude Campbell and Jan Sprynar scored their first career goal in the QMJHL.
The Océanic opened the scoring in the third minute with Campbell’s goal on their first appearance, after being left out in the previous six games. He took advantage of a skillful raised pass from Alexandre Blais.
A generous guardian
The Huskies then took advantage of the generosity of Océanic goaltender, Gabriel Robert, to respond quickly on a clearance from the center of the ice which ended up in the back of the net.
Tristan Allard chased the Océanic goaltender out of the game a few minutes later with a powerful slap shot from the blue line. It was the second goal on four shots for the Huskies.
Robert’s replacement, Lyam Leblanc, yielded on the first pitch he received from Benjamin Brunelle. The Océanic didn’t give up, however, getting several chances to score in the second half of the engagement, including two fumbles from William Dumoulin.
However, the Huskies added three goals in the second period against one for the Océanic. Louis-Philippe Fontaine, Mathis Perron and Leighton Carruthers scored in turn against Gabriel Robert, who was back in front of the net early in the second period.
Jan Sprynar also took advantage of a power play to score his first career goal.
Fillion leaves
Also in the second period, we witnessed a very disturbing scene when 20-year-old forward Xavier Fillion left the rink on a stretcher after being injured during a crowd along the ramp.
The Océanic forward was writhing in pain.
Then, Bill Zonnon finally added a seventh goal for the Huskies late in the game.
Lyam Leblanc played in the third period in net for the Océanic, Gabriel Robert having conceded five goals on a total of 14 shots.
In short
- Defender Mathis Aguilar missed the game due to injury. He was replaced by Charles Côté, who has completed his two-game suspension.
- Goaltender Lyam Leblanc was recalled from Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue to assist starter Gabriel Robert.
- Jude Campbell and Lyam Jacques were added to the roster in place of Quinn Kennedy and Shawn Pearson.
- Luke Coughlin is on the long-term injured list.
♦ The Océanic completes its trip to Abitibi on Monday by crossing swords with the Foreurs at 3 p.m. in Val-d’Or.