Jan 10 Montreal Juniors Come From Behind to Defeat Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 4-3 in OT

After a hard fought 4-2 victory over the Lewiston MAINEiacs last night, the Montreal juniors faced off against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, their Telus-West Di vision rivals. The Huskies have had the Juniors' number so far this season, winning 3 of the last four meetings between the two teams, however arrived in Montreal after an embarrassing 9-0 loss to the Quebec Ramparts the previous night. Montreal's motivation: today's game would be their last at home until February 2nd. The stage was set and both teams did not disappoint the 2849 fans that came to witness an exciting hockey game. All would get their money's worth as it would take overtime to settle the outcome.

The first period saw both teams testing the other's goaltender but with Montreal's Jake Allen having to make some key stops during a Husky powerplay. Montreal would get a few chances to go ahead late in the period when they had 56 seconds on a 5 on 3, however couldn't get anything past Mikael Audette and the period ended in a scoreless tie.

The Huskies would get on the board first and early when Jake Allen was able to stop Alex Émond's shot going 5-hole, with his stick, however, he could not corral the rebound but Alexandre Beauregard could and lifted a shot top shelf past Allen. Montreal had a nice chance around the halfway point of the 2nd when Angelo Esposito centred a feather pass into the crease where Luke Adam deflected the puck towards Audette, but the husky goalie smothered the puck between his pads for the save. Audette would keep his team in the lead a few moments later when Guillaume Asselin, from behind the net, found Toni Ritter in the slot who one-timed his pass into the Husky netminder. 

The Juniors tried everything to spark a comeback including both Matt Fillier and newcomer Jérémy Gouchie both dropping the gloves for their team in the second and while it did spark the Juniors players, every scoring chance had Mikael Audette having the last word. But as what usually happens when one team gets many missed opportunities, the other team usually ends up scoring one only moments later and tonight was no exception. On an misqueue between Matt Fillier and Alex Wall in the neutral zone which saw a turnover created, Pier-Luc Giguère took a pass from Christopher Losier and backhanded it past Jake Allen to double Rouyn-Noranda's lead.

Montreal would end the 2nd and start the third on a powerplay and couldn't capitalize but they would get back in this game on a goal by Guillaume Asselin who pounded the puck past Audette after a hard fought battle in front of the net. This goal came at 3:04 and before the buzz died down the Juniors tied it up on a beautiful give and go between Asselin and Nick Layton as Layton was able to backhand his shot into an almost empty net as Audette was outplayed. After 2 periods where it looked like the juniors couldn't buy a goal, they came up with 2 within 1:24.

In an almost utopic sequel to the comeback, Montreal was killing a powerplay  when Jérémy Gouchie intercepted a pass, skated down into the Husky zone  and just as he was running out of real estate put a pretty pass into the crease where a waiting Esposito tipped it past Audette. Montreal, was now on top 3-2 but unfortunately this would not last long. On a delayed penalty call, Jeff Desjardins let a wristshot sail past Allen, glove side to tie it up with just over 8 minutes to play in the 3rd and that is eventually how the 3rd would end.

Overtime would belong to Angelo Esposito. From the opening moments of the extra frame, Esposito created a power-play opportunity when he was tripped up on a break. On the ensuing man advantage, Esposito, once again came streaking down the right wing, faked a shot and passed to Luke Adam who one timed it past Audette who didn't have a chance. Montreal would win 4-3 much to the delight of the home crowd that wouldn't get another chance to cheer their team on until February 2nd.

Montreal's next game, however is Friday the 16th in Val D'Or. The Juniors are now 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games as they head out on theis 3 week road swing.

Pic by Amanda Stein

Tags: Angelo Esposito \ Guillaume Asselin \ LHJMQ \ Luke Adam \ Montreal juniors \ QMJHL \ Rouyn-Noranda Huskies