Q DOMINATES IN GAME ONE

STATION NATION POST-GAME
FINAL: TEAM RUSSIA 1, TEAM QMJHL 3

DRUMMONDVILLE – The QMJHL all-stars dominated the first game of the 2009 Subway Super Series last night at the Marcel Dionne Centre. The score was close but the game wasn’t as the Quebec Major Hockey League squad defeated Team Russia 3-1.

The QMJHL had the best scoring chances early on in the first period. Russian goalie Alexander Zalivin faced 16 shots in the first period while Russia could only get nine on QMJHL starter Jake Allen.

Sea Dogs center Michael Kirkpatrick, playing in his first Canada-Russia game, had a great scoring opportunity with Jordan Caron two minutes into the first. Saint John defenseman Simon Despres than slung Caron in a alone but sent his shot wide.

Team QMJHL went to the power play at 11:16 and almost opened the scoring when Charles-Olivier Roussel couldn’t get a good shot off on the empty cage from the slot. At 5:17 Kirkpatrick got rocked by a beautifully executed hip check by Maxim Gorechischnikov.

The Canadians opened the scoring just 11 seconds into the second period when Edmonton Oilers prospect Philippe Cornet beat Zalivin to make it 1-0.

It became 2-0 at 7:25 when Baie-Comeau Drakkar star Gabriel Bourque scored for Quebec. Roussel sent a tremendous pass as he faked a point shot and sent it down low for Bourque who desposed of the puck into the empty net.

Just over a minute later Team QMJHL got a three goal lead to the thanks of Kirkpatrick who scored his first career Subway Super Series goal. After a mad scramble in front, Kirkpatrick somehow found the loose puck and sent through the five-hole of Zalivin.

Fredericton native Jake Allen left the net after making 11 saves in favour of Cape Breton goaltender Olivier Roy halfway through the second. He was tested early as Team Russia made it 3-1 at 12:49. Maxim Karpov took a lead pass and went backhand-forehand on a deke and unleashed a shot to the top corner that fooled Roy.

In the third period Team QMJHL let off their defense a little bit but still outshot the Russians 21-8 in the final frame. Former Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forward Dmitri Kugryshev shot wide on a breakaway at 18:45. Then with two minutes left in the period Kirkpatrick fed his Atlantic division rival Luke Adam who had a good chance. "Kirky" played on a line with Adam and Maxime Sauve.

The Canadian squad outshot the Russians 56-22 in the game.

NOTES: Kirkpatrick was the only Sea Dog to record a point in the game… Yann Sauve and Simon Despres both had one shot apiece… Kirkpatrick looked a little funny on the ice wearing #20 and not his usual #10… former Montreal Canadiens head coach Guy Carbeneau was the honorary captain and dropped the puck during the pre-game festivities… players of the game were Alexander Zalivin and Gabriel Bourque… the attendance was only 2,234 in a building that has room for 4,000 which includes standing room… Montreal Junior head coach Pascal Vincent and Quebec Remparts head coach Patrick Roy were in the building… “he really hustles,” said Rogers Sportsnet broadcaster Rob Faulds of Kirkpatrick.

NEXT GAME: Team Russia vs Team QMJHL. Wednesday, November 18, at 8:00 pm at Bionest Centre, Shawinigan.