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Cape Breton Eagles

Kalmikov Nets Historic Hat Trick in Shootout Loss in Halifax

December 5, 2017 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release


HALIFAX- It was the young stars of the Screaming Eagles and Mooseheads putting on a show as Halifax emerged with a 6-5 shootout victory in the most recent instalment of the Battle of Nova Scotia. Cape Breton picked up a point in the loss, and the afternoon was highlighted by a three goal showing from Brooklyn Kalmikov, who became the first ever Screaming Eagle to record a hat trick as a 16 year old player.

Peyton Hoyt got the scoring started less than three minutes in, putting in a rebound for a short handed marker to put the visitors ahead. From there, the period would then feature a pair of two goal swings. Halifax's Benoit-Olivier Groulx would square the contest before Joel Bishop would put it through the legs of Kyle Jessiman to put the Mooseheads in front. Groulx tipped a point shot from Jordan Lepage who originally had been credited with the goal before a scoring change.

Then it was Cape Breton's turn to score a pair as Halifax found themselves in penalty trouble. With just under two minutes remaining in the opening stanza, Jared McIssac was sent off for checking to the head and Lepage would take a minor as well to set up a potential 1:29 long five on three.

The Eagles, specifically Kalmikov, wouldn't need full time to score on both power plays. Kalmikov was inserted on the top forward unit along with Drake Batherson and Egor Sokolov and the move would pay dividends, as Batherson and Leon Gawanke chipped in on a four pass play to stretch the ice and Kalmikov found the back of the net at 18:59. Just thirty seconds later, when playing with the second power play unit, the Eagles rookie would score again to put Cape Breton ahead.

Despite five goals already and less than a minute to play, the action wasn't yet finished for the opening twenty minutes. With six seconds to play before the horn Connor Moynihan of Halifax caught Gabriel Proulx with a check from behind, and Eagles forward Declan Smith dropped the gloves to avenge his teammate.

There was another two goal swing to come and that would make for all the scoring in the middle frame. Mooseheads captain Maxime Fortier would tie the contest at the 12:19 mark, cutting off the left wing and sweeping around the crease to beat Jessiman. Then with the clubs playing four on four later in the period blueliner Jared McIsaac jumped into the play to convert a drop pass from fellow 17 year old Filip Zadina to put the Mooseheads in front.

Kalmikov would finish his hat trick before the third period was five minutes old, banging home a rebound from the same spot he scored his first goal. In addition to becoming the first Screaming Eagle to score three goals at 16, he is the first Eagle rookie to notch a hat trick in 17 years since Stuart MacRae in the 1999-00 season. Each of Kalmikov's goals came with a different number of skaters on the ice, as he scored goals 5 on 3, 5 on 4, and 5 on 5.

There was more scoring to game though as the two sides traded goals once more. It was McIssac blasting a shot through traffic to move Halifax ahead 5-4 but with under six minutes to play the Eagles would get their own offense from the blueline as Adam McCormick fired a shot by Blade Mann-Dixon. The game would require another five minutes.

Halifax outshot Cape Breton 4-2 in the extra session but neither side could find a goal, and it was off to the shootout for just the second time this season for the Eagles, and first for the Mooseheads. (Cape Breton's prior shootout appearance came on opening night in Bathurst in a win over the Titan.)

Of the first four shooters, only Zadina could find the back of the net. Tyler Hylland would score on the third Cape Breton shot, and a Kyle Jessiman save on Fortier set up extra shooters. In round five of the contest Otto Somppi would score to put Halifax in the driver's seat. Cape Breton's Kyle McGrath was denied by Mann-Dixon and the Mooseheads claimed victory.

It was McGrath's first game of the season after suffering a collarbone injury in exhibition action against Charlottetown. The 18 year old rookie, who appeared in five games as an affiliate player last season, was -1 and registered 1 shot on goal in his return to the QMHL action.

The Eagles also played much of the game with 17 skaters as Ross MacDougall left the game during the second period with a lower body injury.

Mann-Dixon recorded the victory, stopping 26 of 31 shots and four of five in the shootout. Jessiman took the loss, turning aside 32 of 37 before stopping three of five in the shootout. Saturday's game was the first time this season the Screaming Eagles lost when leading after one period, and the first time the Mooseheads were victorious when trailing after one.

The Eagles continue their two game Maritime swing tomorrow against the Moncton Wildcats in Moncton. Puck drop is 3 PM, and you can catch all the action starting with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 2:30 on 1270 AM CJCB or online at http://www.cjcbradio.com.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME 1. Jared McIsaac (Halifax) 2 goals, 1 assist, 5 shots 2. Brooklyn Kalmikov (Cape Breton) 3 goals, +1 3. Filip Zadina (Halifax) 2 assists, 4 shots.

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