Doyle: Quebec Remparts open tournament with win.

For the first time since 2008, the home team is undefeated at the MasterCard Memorial Cup.

That stat almost seems hard to believe, but this year's Quebec Remparts broke a streak of six consecutive home teams to drop the tournament opener when they defeated the Kelowna Rockets 4-3 Friday at Le Colisee Pepsi. Nikolas Brouillard, Ryan Graves, Matt Murphy and Adam Erne scored for the home team in front of an announced crowd of 9.497. Nick Merkley, Cage Quinney and Leon Draisaitl replied for the Rockets.

Already down 3-1 after 40 minutes, Draisaitl was assessed a 10-minute misconduct along with Quebec's Marc-Olivier Roy during a verbal spat at the end of the period. This may have hampered Kelowna's comeback attempt - but they did make it interesting with an two-man advantage in the final minute of regulation.

The Remparts will now face the OHL champion Oshawa Generals on Sunday. The Generals open the tournament Saturday afternoon against the QMJHL champion Rimouski Oceanic. Kelowna has two days off before facing Rimouski Monday.

Notes:
-The CHL has modified its goal video review scenarios. When a goal is scored following entry into the offensive zone that may have been offside, the play can be reviewed and goal overturned. There is no limit to the length of time between the alleged offside infraction and the goal being scored, as long as there was continuous play.
-The announced crowd of 9,497 Friday night fell short of the 2003 tournament home opener game in Quebec that drew 10,928 spectators.
-A total of nine on-ice officials will work the tournament. They include two referees from the QMJHL, one from the OHL and one WHL referee. All five of the linesman work games in the QMJHL.

Summary:

1st Period
Scoring
QUE: Nikolas Brouillard (Tkachev) 5:18

Penalties: Verrier QUE (Roughing) 2:01, Merkley KEL (Hooking) 8:02

2nd Period
Scoring
QUE: Matt Murphy (Tkachev, Roy) 13:22
KEL: Nick Merkley (Linaker, Martin) 17:56 SH

Penalties: Bowey KEL (Unsportsmanlike) 4:27, Braid KEL (Unsportsmanlike) 4:27, Carozza QUE (Unsportsmanlike) 4:27, Roy QUE (Tripping) 8:54, Bowey KEL (High Sticking) 17:08, Draisaitl KEL (1-minute-misconduct)

3rd Period
Scoring
QUE: Ryan Graves (Duclair, Carozza) 2:08 SH
KEL: Gage Quinney (Morrissey, Baillie) 12:33
QUE: Adam Erne 18:56 EN
KEL: Leon Draisaitl (Baillie, Merkley) 19:24 PP

Penalties: Southam KEL (Cross Checking) 3:39, Merkley KEL (Interference) 9:15, Erne QUE (Cross Checking) 11:32, Morrissey KEL (Misconduct) 18:56, Dube KEL (Roughing) 19:14, Dube KEL (Misconduct) 19:14, Brouillard QUE (Roughing) 19:14, Brouillard QUE (Roughing) 19:14, Duclair QUE (Roughing) 19:14

Powerplays
Kelowna 2/6
Quebec 0/5

3 stars:
1. Fucale QUE
2. Duclair QUE
3. Merkley KEL

Referees: Cairns, Alarie, Linesmen: Losier, Piche
Attendance: 9,497 at Colisee Pepsi.

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