Karl Jahnke, QMJHL (Photo: Aaron Bell/CHL Images) RIMOUSKI, QC – Logan MacMillan scored a shorthanded insurance goal early in the third period and the Rimouski Océanic played a full sixty minutes of intense, in-your-face hockey which helped them defeat the OHL Champions 5-4 at the Colisée.
Rimouski came out of the gates energized, rushing the offensive zone at ease while dictating play. Part of the game-plan was certainly to punish the Spitfires physically and the Océanic did just that, repeatedly crushing their opponents with solid body-checks over the course of the first twenty minutes. Neither team was able to score in the first period.
Things changed dramatically in the second frame as the fans were treated to a high-octane period which featured seven goals.
Although the Océanic failed to convert on a two-man advantage in the opening minutes, Patrice Cormier opened the scoring by beating goaltender Andrew Engelage with a nifty move off a sweet breakaway pass from Félix Lefrançois.
The excitement was short-lived for the hometown crowd as Ryan Ellis tied the game with a powerful blast from the point. Then, Dale Mitchell made it 2-1 by one-timing a pass from Scott Timmins in the slot.
Rimouski battled back. Jordan Caron cut into Windsor’s territory, created some space for himself and blasted a wrist-shot past the Spitfires’ backstop.
Patrick Delisle-Houde, Luca Cunti and Andrei Loktionov added markers in the last five minutes of the period and both teams retreated to their dressing rooms with Rimouski up 4-3.
Thirty-four seconds into the final frame, Logan MacMillan scored the insurance goal. Greg Nemisz made it interesting, but it was too little too late as the Spitfires fell 5-4.
Patrice Cormier, who scored a goal and added several hits, was named the game’s first star.
"The players stepped up big tonight," said head coach Clément Jodoin. "We had to battle back because this thing (Championship Tournament) can end pretty quickly. I'm very proud of our guys."
The Drummondville Voltigeurs battle the Kelowna Rockets in game four of the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship tomorrow starting at 7:00 pm on Rogers Sportsnet and RIS. Fans can also watch the game live on the Internet thanks to TELUS. Visit the official website of the event for further details at www.mastercardmemorialcup.com.
