QUEBEC USES 50-SHOT ATTACK TO GET PAST GERMANY

by Palmer Fritschy

WINNIPEG, Man. – Despite taking the loss, German goaltender Niklas Deske was the story at the MTS Iceplexon Friday afternoon, making 45 saves in a 5-3 loss to Quebec that all but extinguished Germany’s semifinal hopes.

Quebec took the lead late in the first period thanks to a power play goal off the stick of Raphael Lafontaine, but the Germans pulled even just 54 seconds later with a man advantage goal of their own by John Koslowski.

Michael Matheson snapped a shot past Deske to restore the Quebec lead at 4:22, but once again the Germans responded, with Patrick Klöpper’s goal at 6:37 making it a 2-2 game.

Late in the period, after the Germans had a number of chances to take their first lead of the game, Quebec went ahead for good, as a highlight reel goal from William Carrier gave the Canadians a lead after two periods, one they would not relinquish.

Quebec came out with offensive guns blazing in the third period, getting seven shots in the first 90 seconds alone, and 23 overall in the period.

Deske single-handedly kept the Germans alive in the third period, keeping it a one-goal game after Luca Ciampini and Markus Eberhardt traded goals in the first seven minutes of the frame. It wasn’t until Charles Simard-Hudon made it a two-goal game at 13:18 that Quebec’s third win in as many days was assured.

Quebec can clinch a semifinal spot with a Finland win over Atlantic on Friday night in Portage la Prairie.