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Cape Breton Eagles

Mooseheads Edge Screaming Eagles in Tight 4-3 Contest

October 28, 2017 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release


SYDNEY- Another trademark Screaming Eagles rally ended up being nullified thanks to late Mooseheads power play. The fans at Centre 200 were not impressed as Halifax chased in on a late goaltender interference penalty against Jordan Ty Fournier and Benoit-Olivier Groulx potted a late winning goal in a 4-3 Mooseheads victory.

In addition to the strong finish, it was a great start for the visitors as the Mooseheads went up 3-0. It start just 20 seconds in as Connor Moynihan finished a pass from behind the net from Filip Zadina to put Halifax up 1-0. Just over three minutes later the road team would get a fortunate bounce as a Maxime Fortier pass deflected off Tyler Hylland and went on the stick of Benoit-Olivier Groulx and doubled the lead. Fortier himself would corral a pass before the halfway mark to put Halifax ahead 3-0.

There would be more big chances for Halifax in the opening period. Raphaël Lavoie had a golden opportunity for the visitors after the puck took a strange bounce behind the net and directly in front. Eagles netminder Kyle Jessiman was behind the net playing the puck, but Ryan MacLellan was able to clear the puck before Lavoie could get to it. The Mooseheads would also earn the only power play of the period, but the best chance might have been to the Eagles short handed, as Adam McCormick was denied on a breakaway.

For the second straight game, Cape Breton would give up a five a minute major in the middle period as MacLellan was whistled for a check to the head on Joel Bishop. The call was not popular with the faithful in Sydney who ferociously booed as their team went to the penalty kill. However, it would not be a full five minutes as the Mooseheads were caught with too many men on the ice.

With the teams playing four on four, Phélix Martineau, playing his first game as Screaming Eagles captain, would cash in on a pass from Hylland to beat Blade Mann-Dixon. But more penalty trouble would follow the home side in the second period, including a six second 5 on 3, but the Eagles were able to kill the penalties off. Cape Breton would finish the period with a flurry of chances, putting Mann-DIxon and the Mooseheads under seige and the efforts would pay off as Adam McCormick would beat the Mooseheads netminder with an innocent looking shot. The Eagles trailed 3-2 heading into the third stanza.

Just 3:08 into the final frame, the home club found their tying goal. Egor Sokolov was set up on a breakaway by Declan Smith and beat Mann-Dixon through the legs. Cape Breton would outshoot Halifax 14-11 in the third period, but couldn't find a go ahead goal. Jessiman would keep the game tied, though, stopping Arnaud Durandeau on a breakaway. But the game would change in the final minutes with a late penalty.

Jordan Ty Fournier was called off for goaltender interference in the final two minutes and the fans voiced their displeasure. It wouldn't take long for Halifax to make the power play work- just 35 seconds in as Jocktan Chainey wired a shot towards the goal and Benoit-Olivier Groulx tipped it by Jessiman with 76 seconds remaining in regulation.

Marc-André Dumont would not wait to gain the offensive zone, immediately calling a timeout following the Halifax goal and pulling Jessiman in favour of an extra attacker. The Eagles would get their chances but couldn't find the tying goal, as Mann-Dixon would deny McCormick with under four seconds to play. Halifax would hold on for a 4-3 victory.

The loss saw the end of Drake Batherson's 15 game point streak, during which he compiled 29 points. He registered three shots on goal during the game.

Mann-Dixon would pick up the victory, stopping 38 of 41. Jessiman was handed the loss after allowing four goals on 31 shots.

Saturday night's game was the Screaming Eagles annual Pink In The Rink game. Screaming Eagles fans raised 12, 508 in the raffle draw for the game worn pink jerseys. All the money raised will go to the Cape Breton Care Patient Fund.

Cape Breton now heads back on the road for a pair of games, both in Bathurst, beginning Friday, November 3rd. Puck drop against the Titan is 7 PM, and you can catch all the action starting with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 6:30 on 1270 AM CJCB or online at http://www.cjcbradio.com.

DAIRY QUEEN THREE STARS OF THE GAME 1. Benoit-Olivier Groulx (Halifax) 2 goals, 1 assist 2. Egor Sokolov (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 7 shots 3. Maxime Fortier (Halifax) 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots

Scratches For Cape Breton: Kyle McGrath (broken collarbone), Alexis Sansfaçon (lower body injury), Mathias Laferrière (lower body injury)

Scratches For Halifax: Walter Flower (injury), Jordan Lepage (injury), Kyle Petten, Alexis Gravel (upper body injury)

Final Shots On Goal: 41-31 in favour of Cape Breton

Cape Breton Power Play: 0/1

Check out the Cape Breton Eagles Statistics

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2017


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