The QMJHL's Big Three may have to make room for one more.
Mikhail Stefanovich continued his hot streak with two more goals as the Quebec Remparts won their ninth straight, 5-2 over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Wednesday night.
Stefanovich, a Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick, has scored 12 times during his current six-game goal streak, giving him a team-high 23 on the season. The reigning QMJHL offensive player of the week opened the scoring 15:38 into the first period, and his second of the game at 8:26 of the third stood as the game winner.
Samuel Carrier, Jean-Simon Allard and Benjamin Breault added singles for the Remparts (32-8-0-2), who moved to within one point of the Moncton Wildcats and Shawinigan Cataractes for second place in the QMJHL overall standings. Michael Tam added three third-period assists for the Remparts.
While much of the attention has been paid to the QMJHL's top three teams - the Wildcats, Cataractes and the QMJHL-leading Drummondville Voltigeurs - the Remparts have done their part to show they belong in the mix. Quebec has outscored its opponents by a ridiculous 43-11 margin during its nine-game run, and hasn't lost since dropping a 4-3 decision to Gatineau on Dec. 12.
In other QMJHL action Wednesday, it was: Drummondville 5 Rimouski 2; Cape Breton 3 Gatineau 2; and Victoriaville 7 Rouyn-Noranda 2.
At Chicoutimi, Que., Charles Lavigne preserved the victory for Quebec with a 26-save performance. Lavigne has won his last six starts, posting a 1.00 goals-against average and .963 save percentage over that span.
Nicolas Deschamps and Drew Paris had goals for the Sagueneens (16-21-2-2), who have lost two in a row. Francois Levesque turned aside 24 shots in defeat.
Voltigeurs 5 Oceanic 2
At Drummondville, Que., Mike Hoffman scored twice as the Voltigeurs downed Rimouski, handing the Oceanic their seventh loss in a row.
Patrick Prokop, Yannick Riendeau and Dany Masse each added a goal and an assist for Drummondville (33-6-0-3).
Philippe Cornet and Patrick Delisle-Houde replied for the Oceanic (22-19-1-0).
Screaming Eagles 3 Olympiques 2
At Sydney, N.S., Robert Slaney's game winner lifted the Screaming Eagles past Gatineau.
Stephen Horyl and Taylor MacDougall added goals for Cape Breton (29-12-1-1).
Paul Byron and Alain Goulet countered for the Olympiques (19-19-2-2).
Tigres 7 Huskies 2
At Victoriaville, Que., Maxime Tanguay and David Cliche both had a pair of goals as the Tigres routed Rouyn-Noranda.
Alexandre Labonte, Andrej Nestrasil and Maxime Gravel each added singles for Victoriaville (23-20-0-1), winners of four straight.
Maxime Macenauer scored twice in defeat for the Huskies (21-16-3-2).