CORNWALL – Fred Piché backstopped the defending champion Jonquiere Marquis to a 4-3 victory over the River Kings in front of 2,569 fans at the Civic Complex on Saturday night.
Piché, the former River Kings goaltender, made a glove save on Nicolas Corbeil as the final buzzer sounded to put an end to the Cornwall comeback. The Marquis, who led 4-1, improved their league-best record to 6-1-1. Cornwall (2-6-0) outshot Jonquiere 39-24.
Michael Tessier, acquired earlier in the week from Sorel-Tracy for Mario Joly, scored in his River Kings debut, pouncing on a Nicolas Corbeil rebound to open the scoring at 7:52 of the first period.
Hugo Carpentier responded for Jonquiere with a powerplay marker at 9:37 of the first then Gaby Roch, left all alone in front, spun and fired a shot past Loic Lacasse with 4:56 left in the opening frame.
The River Kings dominated much of the second period but couldn’t get a bounce. The Marquis did however, when Dany Roussin tipped a shot past Lacasse on the powerplay with 2:43 to play in the middle frame. Cornwall outshot Jonquiere 15-10 in the second.
Jeremie Malouin, in alone on a breakaway, beat Lacasse through the legs 4:13 into the third period.
Despite the 4-1 deficit, the River Kings wouldn’t quit.
Rookie forward Antony Courcelles connected on a perfect feed from Pierre-Luc Faubert for his team-leading 7th goal of the season at 7:28 of the third. Then, with 45 seconds to play, Sasha Pokulok slid a shot from the point past Piché for a powerplay marker to make it a one-goal game.
With Lacasse pulled in favour of an extra attacker, Cornwall kept pressing. But, the game ended with a spectacular save by Piché, who was named the game’s first star. Michael Novosad, who had two assists, and Pokulok were the second and third stars, respectively.
Prior to the game, River Kings owner Brock Frost, MP Guy Lauzon, MPP Jim McDonell and Mayor Bob Kilger took part in a touching pre-game ceremony to pay tribute to Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, the two members of the Canadian Forces who lost their lives in attacks this week.
Next Saturday, the River Kings play host to St-Georges.
ROAD LOSS: On Friday night in Sorel, the highly anticipated rematch between Francis Lessard and Jon Mirasty took centre stage. The two heavyweights went toe-to-toe twice during the game, won 6-2 by the Eperviers. Pokulok and Julien Corriveau each scored a powerplay goal for the River Kings. Lacasse took the loss in goal.
Crédit photo : cornwall.lnah.com