Although they were outplayed for much of the game, the Shawinigan Cataractes won 5-4 in overtime against the Charlottetown Islanders in Game 3 of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final series ( QMJHL), Wednesday evening, at Center Gervais Auto.
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The Mauricie team is thus one victory away from winning the President's Cup and getting its ticket to the Memorial Cup.
It was Charles Beaudoin who played the heroes in overtime. He scored the game-winning goal by falling to the icy surface and trying to pass the puck to a teammate.
"We're not going to hide it, my goal was very ugly," said Beaudoin with a smile, during the press conferences that followed the game. We'll take it anyway."
Previously, Mavrik Bourque tied the game in the third period. He took advantage of a skillful pass from Olivier Nadeau to beat goalkeeper Francesco Lapenna from the enclave.
“I like the strength of character of my group. We stay calm, even when we are falling behind in the third period. I'm very proud of the guys," said Cataractes head coach Daniel Renaud.
A start to the match to the advantage of the visitors
The Islanders had however started the match in lion, notably dominating 17 to 2 in terms of shots on goal in the first period. They led by a success after 20 minutes of play, but the Cataractes did not let go.
The crowd favorites took the lead with a goal in the top of the second. Xavier Bourgault and Isaac Ménard are the ones who beat goalkeeper Francesco Lapenna. It was the second goal of the first of these two players in this game.
Patrick Guay, however, turned things around for the Islanders. The 20-year-old striker scored twice, in the last five minutes of the middle engagement. It was his 11th and 12th goals in this series. Both times, it was by rushing to the net that he found a way to put the puck behind the red line.
“On morale, it is difficult to fall 3-0 in the final. If we continue to play well, there will be good things to come,” said Guay.
“The odds are not on our side right now, but we will give everything to try to come back,” added the man who also collected an assist during this game.
The Cataractes and the Islanders will meet on Thursday evening for the fourth duel of the final series of the QMJHL.