A big night from Sherbrooke's goalie sees the Phoenix pull a big upset.
Four QMJHL games took place on the last Thursday of February, including differing results from the league's top two teams.
Zoomed In: Sherbrooke (3) - Chicoutimi (1)
Phoenix goaltender Kyan Labbe fights through a Maxim Schafer screen. Sherbrooke's goalie had 42 saves in an upset win over Chicoutimi Thursday. (Photo: Bruno Girard)The gap in standings points between Sherbrooke and Chicoutimi entering this game was a whopping 30.
So, as the Phoenix entered the Centre Georges-Vézina on Thursday, they knew they needed a special performance to bring home a victory.
And it was a special performance they got from Kyan Labbe, who produced what might be the best performance in his QMJHL career to date, making 42 saves on 43 shots.
Despite being outshot 17-6 in the first period, it was Sherbrooke who exited the period with the 2-0 advantage, through goals from Loic Poirier and Thomas Rousseau.
The second saw the hosts halve the deficit, with a Maxim Schafer power-play goal being the only marker from the middle frame.
In the third, it was PJ Fagan scoring his first goal since joining the Phoenix in the fall who put his team up 3-1.
Chicoutimi piled on the pressure looking for an equalizer, and ended up outshooting Sherbrooke 15-2 in the period, but couldn't find a way past Labbe, who was just spectacular on the night.
The loss, combined with Moncton's big win, saw the Sags fall down to second in the league table as the two continue to fight for positioning atop the QMJHL.
Other Scores
Quebec (3) - Cape Breton (4)
Gatineau (1) - Rouyn-Noranda (6)
Moncton (8) - Val-d'Or (2)
Player of the Night
Caleb Desnoyers (MON) - 2 goals, 4 assists
Tonight's Games
Quebec at Cape Breton - 6 PM EST
Saint John at Halifax - 6 PM EST
Drummondville at Chicoutimi - 7 PM EST
Moncton at Rouyn-Noranda - 7 PM EST
Blainville-Boisbriand at Rimouski - 7 PM EST
Sherbrooke at Baie-Comeau - 7 PM EST
Related
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