Gatineau Olympiques vs Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

Gatineau struck first. At 6:18 of the opening period, Murphy opened the scoring on the powerplay, finishing from Petrut and Allie. The Huskies levelled four minutes later when Rheault buried his first of the afternoon at 10:28, also on the powerplay, with Ogonowski and Pominville collecting the assists.

Rouyn-Noranda took their first lead early in the second period. Laforest made it 2–1 at 2:27, with Petit and Boulet setting it up. Gatineau answered back shorthanded at 5:41 — Pigeon netted his second of the pre-season while killing a penalty to tie the game. Allie then put the Olympiques back in front at 15:53 from Halley and Glukhikh, making it 3–2 after two periods.

The Huskies seized control in the third. Boulet equalised at 2:50 from St-Laurent and Laforest, then Rheault struck again at 8:17, redirecting a feed from Beauchemin past the Gatineau netminder to make it 4–3. The Olympiques pushed for an equaliser but could not beat the Huskies' goaltending tandem, managing only six shots in the final frame.

Rheault's second goal at 8:17 of the third period swung momentum decisively. Gatineau had carried a lead into the second intermission and created early third-period chances, but Boulet's equaliser at 2:50 had already steadied the Huskies. Rheault's strike — a clean finish off Beauchemin's feed — gave Rouyn-Noranda its first lead since the second period and forced Gatineau to chase the game on tired legs.

• Samuel Rheault (Rouyn-Noranda): Two goals (10:28 1st PP, 8:17 3rd), including the game-winner. The Huskies forward was a constant threat around the net and showed sharp finishing instinct.
• Charles Laforest (Rouyn-Noranda): One goal and one assist, factoring in two of the Huskies' four tallies. His second-period opener and third-period helper on Boulet's equaliser were pivotal.
• Dylan Allie (Gatineau): One goal and one assist, driving the Olympiques' offence from the forward ranks. His strike at 15:53 of the second period briefly restored Gatineau's lead.
• Finn Moffett (Gatineau): Stopped 13 of 15 shots in relief after entering the game, keeping the Olympiques within reach during the third-period push. Finished with a .867 save percentage across 40 minutes of work.

Player of the Match: Samuel Rheault (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies)

Rouyn-Noranda's 29–21 shot advantage (a 58–42 per cent share) reflected sustained territorial control, particularly in the third period where they outshot Gatineau 15–6. The Huskies generated seven powerplay opportunities to Gatineau's three but converted only once each — special teams largely cancelled out. Gatineau's shorthanded goal was the difference on the penalty kill, but the Olympiques' discipline (seven penalties conceded) ultimately allowed the Huskies to dictate the flow.

In goal, Alexandre Raymond earned the win for Rouyn-Noranda, stopping 13 of 15 shots before giving way to Lainesse (5 saves on 6 shots). Gatineau used both Shaiikov (12 saves on 14 shots) and Moffett (13 saves on 15 shots) in a planned pre-season rotation.

This was a pre-season fixture for both sides as they build toward the 2026–27 QMJHL regular season. For Rouyn-Noranda, the comeback win — scoring twice in the third period to erase a one-goal deficit — shows resilience ahead of the campaign proper. Gatineau will focus on the positives (a shorthanded goal, balanced scoring through three lines) while tightening discipline after taking seven minor penalties.

The Olympiques next face the Drummondville Voltigeurs in pre-season action on Wednesday 2 September. Rouyn-Noranda continue their exhibition schedule against the Val-d'Or Foreurs on Thursday 3 September.

A typically entertaining pre-season affair between two QMJHL rivals. Rouyn-Noranda's third-period surge proved the difference, with Rheault's double underscoring the depth the Huskies will carry into the regular season. Gatineau showed flashes but will want cleaner penalty discipline before the games count for real.