QMJHL Roundup: Major junior resumes in province of Quebec for four teams

The Val-d’Or Foreurs downed the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 4-1, and major junior hockey resumed in the province of Quebec on Friday — a little more than two weeks after play was suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Justin Ducharme and Marshall Lessard had a goal and an assist apiece as Val-d’Or hit the ice for a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game for the first time since Oct. 10.

Alexandre Doucet and Jeremie Biakabutuka also scored for the Foreurs (2-1-2), who got 15 saves from Jonathan Lemieux.

William Rouleau ended Lemieux’s shutout attempt when he scored at 18:20 of the third period for the Huskies (1-4-0), who have dropped three straight contests.

Samuel Richard stopped 45-of-49 shots for Rouyn-Noranda, which last suited up on Oct. 10.

All 12 Quebec-based teams in the QMJHL had regular-season play suspended Oct. 14 because of rising cases of COVID-19 in the province. The league said at the time it would reassess the situation by Oct. 28, with six of those 12 franchises located in red zones — where organized sport is currently prohibited.

Four Quebec teams were given the go-ahead to resume play Friday — the Huskies and Foreurs, as well as the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Rimouski Oceanic — with all located in yellow and/or orange zones of the province.

The league announced on Thursday that teams located in the province of Quebec’s red zones will continue to have their games postponed until further notice.

The QMJHL’s Maritimes Division has continued to play through the suspension of Quebec-based teams, with the six squads located in an Atlantic bubble.

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DRAKKAR 2 OCEANIC 1 (SO)

BAIE-COMEAU, Que. — Lucas Fitzpatrick kicked out 29 shots and Brandon Frattaroli scored the shootout winner, leading the Drakkar (2-3-0) over Rimouski (0-3-2) in the first game for both organizations in 20 days.

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WILDCATS 7 TITAN 6 (OT)

BATHURST, N.B. — Jordan Spence capped his hat trick with an overtime winner, and Philippe Daoust tacked on four assists as Moncton (3-4-0) slipped past the Titan (7-0-2), who have yet to lose this season in regulation time.

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ISLANDERS 7 MOOSEHEADS 1

CHARLOTTETOWN — Thomas Casey struck twice and William Trudeau had a goal and three helpers as the Islanders (7-1-0) topped Halifax (3-5-2) for their fourth win in a row.

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EAGLES 5 SEA DOGS 4 (OT)

SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Ryan Francis had a pair of goals in regulation, while Shawn Element bagged the winner 1:18 into overtime, and Cape Breton (4-5-0) dealt the Sea Dogs (1-3-3) their fourth straight defeat.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published October 30, 2020.

The Canadian Press