Emrick Nolette-Robidoux and James Scantlebury scored in the shootout, and Team Daigle took the lead in the QMJHL Cup preliminary standings with a 6-5 win over Team Talbot on Friday afternoon at the Centre d’excellence Sports Rousseau.
Nolette-Robidoux led the way with a goal and two assists in the win, while Alexis Desroches scored twice and Jérémi Duclos-Claude had two helpers. For Team Talbot, Frédéric Bergeron was dominant with two goals and an assist. Malik Desrochers assisted on both Bergeron goals.
The high pace went both ways throughout the game. Team Talbot set the tone in the first period, notably with its duo of Louis-Étienne Halley and Alexis Joseph. The latter scored the opening goal of the game to top the tournament scoring charts with five points. Cole Renaud then made it 2-0, taking advantage of a turnover in the slot.
But the Blues came roaring back in the middle frame. Liam Armit got the team on the scoreboard after just 80 seconds, before Desroches fired home his two goals to give his own a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.
Emrick-Nolette increased the Blues’ lead to 4-2 early in the third, but Bergeron got back to within one with his first just 30 seconds later. After feeding Léo-Gabriel Gosselin on the tying goal, he also got physically involved, with a good check on Félix Foucher.
Bergeron restored Team Talbot’s 5-4 lead by completing Malik Desrochers’ fine pass in front of the net, but 52 seconds later it was Benjamin Veitch’s turn to score his second of the tournament to extend hostilities into overtime.
As the extra period did not determine the game’s outcome, a shootout would end it. Nolette-Robidoux and Scantlebury found the back of the net against goaltender Dax Robichaud, while Bergeron and Joseph missed against Jase MacPherson.
At 5:30 pm ET, Team Daigle can secure a place in the final if it beats Team Savage. Team Talbot would also have a chance, but Jean-Daniel Charron and Marc-Olivier Cardinal’s men will have to beat Team Bergeron at 8:15 pm.
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