ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec (Interstat) — The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies survived a late push to defeat the Val-d’Or Foreurs 5-4 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Wednesday at Aréna Glencore.

Rouyn-Noranda’s Thomas Verdon led the charge with two first-period goals, part of a four-goal opening frame that gave the Huskies a commanding lead they would not relinquish before an attendance of 3,097. Val-d’Or chipped away, getting goals from Jérémy Leroux and Louis-Charles Plourde in the second period and another from Samuel Fiala in the third, but could not complete the comeback.

The Huskies improved to 20-13 overall, while the Foreurs fell to 13-21. The teams meet again Jan. 9 in Rouyn-Noranda.