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Cape Breton Eagles

Eagles Advance to Round Two WIth 4-2 Victory Over Océanic

April 5, 2024 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release


The Eagles scored the only goal of the opening period, as a puck slipped through Lacelle, was lying in the blue paint before Lavallée knocked it over the goal line. Ruccia made a big save to preserve the lead later in the period when Charles Savoie fed a pass over to Coursol.

The lead was padded early in the second period when a Shortall shot from the neutral zone bounced towards Lacelle and his attempt to clear it away was batted into the goal. MacDonald's goal was more conventional, and was a nice one- after the puck was dumped off the endboards, MacDonald won the race to the hashmarks to beat the icing, deked around Lacelle with a backhand to give the Eagles a 3-0 edge.

Rimouski pushed back, getting a key power play goal late when Alex Blais found Pilote for a tap in for a power play goal with 14 seconds remaining in the second period. Before the seven minute mark of the third frame, Coursol ripped a shot through traffic and Ruccia to cut the lead to 3-2.

Lavoie thought he had put the Eagles ahead by two goals with a heavy shot that rung off the iron, and Cape Breton players celebrated before the goal was waived off. The play continued for 35 seconds, and then following a review, it was deemed that the puck had crossed the line, and it was a 4-2 game.

With 11:35 to go, Rimouski pressed looking to get closer. With over three minutes to play, Rimouski coach Joël Perrault lifted Lacelle for an extra attacker. The Océanic were able to create chances but couldn't beat Ruccia and the Eagles sealed the series win.

The second round series against Chicouimi will begin on Friday night, and puck drop is at 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased at https://shorturl.at/kCFHT They are also available for purchase in person at the Centre 200 box office and by the phone during box office hours at 902-564-2200.

NOTES FROM THE GAME

- The Eagles scored first and never lost the lead in a back-and-forth affair Friday in Rimouski, defeating the Rimouski Océanic 4-2 to win their opening round playoff series four games to one. It's the first playoff series victory for the Eagles since 2019.

-Charles-Antoine Lavallée & Conor Shortall each scored a goal & an assist for the Eagles. Cam MacDonald & Tomas Lavoie also scored while Olivier Houde & Xavier Daigle each added two assists in the win. Dominic Pilote & Maxime Coursol scored for Rimouski.

- With the win, Eagles secure a second round matchup with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. It's the first time since 2007 the Eagles will have home ice in the second round, and it's the fourth time the Eagles & and Saguenéens have played in the post-season. (Cape Breton emerged victorious in 2001 & 2016, while Chicoutimi won in 2004.)

- Nicolas Ruccia stopped 30 of 32 shots in the win, while William Lacelle stopped 25 of 29 shots in the loss.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Charles-Antoine Lavallée (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 shots

2. Maxime Coursol (RimouskI) 1 goal, 5 shots,

3. Conor Shortall (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 1 assist, +2

Scratches For Cape Breton: Jude Campbell (injury), Noah Larochelle, Etienne Desjardins

Scratches For Rimouski: Luke Coughlin (injury), Quentin Miller (injury), Ben Cross, Brett Arsenault, Tyson Goguen

Final Shots On Goal: 32-29 in favour of Rimouski

Cape Breton Power Play: 1/3

Rimouski Power Play: 1/3

Check out the Cape Breton Eagles Statistics

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2024


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