(Rouyn-Noranda) Justin Gill recorded his first hat trick in the QMJHL and the Sherbrooke Phoenix defeated the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 4-1 on Friday night.
Posted yesterday at 10:28 p.m.
Gill had a natural hat trick in the third period, helping the Phoenix distance themselves to remain undefeated this season. Gill had previously had four two-goal games on the Courteau circuit.
The Sherbrooke team was able to hang on to its one-goal lead thanks to the brilliance of Jakob Robillard. The 20-year-old goaltender lost his shutout with just 13 seconds left in the game.
Israel Mianscum also hit home for the Phoenix. In his first game since being cut by the Montreal Canadiens, Joshua Roy had two assists, as did draft hopeful Ethan Gauthier.
Robillard saved 26 of the 27 pucks aimed at him and Louis-Philippe Fontaine played luck to outsmart him, when the puck touched the skate of a Phoenix player before surprising the goaltender.
Thomas Couture did a good job in front of the Huskies net, stopping 26 shots. His attack, however, was unable to back him up.
The Phoenix opened the scoring late in the first period. At the opposing blue line, Tristan Giroux pivoted on himself and handed the disc to Milo Roelens. The latter made a nice cross pass to Mianscum, who threaded the needle.
Robillard stood out in the second period by making a few good saves, including one on a breakaway at the expense of Mathis Perron. His work set the stage for Gill in the final third.
Gill hit the target for the first time after accepting a pass from Roy, during a power play. Just over six minutes later, with the Phoenix playing one more man again, Gill jumped on a return pitch to beat Couture. He completed his hat trick in an empty net.
Cataracts 3 – Borers 4
David Doucet broke the deadlock midway through the third period and the Val-d’Or Foreurs beat the Shawinigan Cataractes 4-3.
Voltigeurs 3 – Tigers 1
Oscar Plandowski, Tyler Peddle and Nino Tomov all scored their first goals of the season and the Drummondville Voltigeurs defeated the Victoriaville Tigres 3-1.