QMJHL holds off Russia to tie series

NEWS RELEASE

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

******************************

Marchand nets winner in the shootout

GATINEAU -– Brad Marchand was the big hero as he scored two goals, including the game-winner, in a 3-2 shootout win in front of 3,089 fans at the Robert-Guertin Arena.

Marchand, the ADT player of the game, opened the scoring late in the first period by beating Russian goaltender Sergei Geyduchenko with a wrist shot. "We played a much better game today," said Marchand. "We were ready to play tonight."

Sea Dog Christopher DiDomenico doubled his team’s lead in the opening minutes of the second period, and it seemed as though the game would be a high-scoring affair for Team QMJHL. But the Russian All-Stars came back, getting two goals from Alexander Vasyunov and Vadim Golubtsov in a span of 58 seconds to tie the score at two.

Neither team could seal it in the final frame, as goaltender Jonathan Bernier made several key saves late to keep the score tied at two.

Asked if he had thought about how he would beat the Russian backstop once his name was called in the shootout, Marchand smiled and shared his thoughts with the media at the post-game press conference. "I like to shoot it in the top corner," he mentioned. "Honestly, I had a good idea of what I would do."

The ADT Canada-Russia Challenge continues tomorrow night in Kitchener on Rogers Sportsnet at 7:00 pm (ET).

***********************************************************