Eagles Cap Road Trip with Win in OT Thriller in Shawinigan
Published on November 18, 2018 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
SHAWINIGAN - A frantic finish saw the Screaming Eagles get the victory in a back and forth game on Sunday evening in Shawinigan. The Eagles came out ahead 4-3 in a game that saw neither team ever lead by two goals.
Shawinigan held a one goal lead for much of the contest. After a tentative start for both teams and a failure by the Cataractes to score on a four minute power play, the home team would strike for the only goal of the opening frame. Gabriel Denis converted on a pass from Anthony Imbeaut from behind the net to put the puck by William Grimard at the 16:44 mark.
The two sides would trade goals in the middle period, but not until 18 more minutes of scoreless play. There were no shortage of chances as the Cataractes were outshooting the Eagles 25-21 after two periods, but the game's second goal wouldn't come until 18:43 of period two. With Cape Breton on their first power play of the night, they worked quickly with a series of short passes and Mitchell Balmas would hammer a one timer past Lucas Fitzpatrick. However the Cataractes would again head to the dressing room with the lead as Vincent Senez cut out from the corner to put the puck through Grimard, making it 2-1 at the second break.
Period three would belong almost entirely to the Screaming Eagles, in particular Leon Gawanke. The Eagles blueliner, who with his assist on the Balmas goal extended his point streak to 11 games, would blast the puck by Fitzpatrick just 31 seconds into the third stanza. Before the five minute mark Gawanke would score his second of the game and the Eagles had their first lead of the evening.
Cape Breton's defense held strong, not allowing Shawinigan a single shot on goal for the first 19 minutes and 50 seconds of the third frame. With about two minutes to play Fitzpatrick attempted to break to the bench for an extra attacker but due to the Eagles pressure he could not reach the bench. With under 60 seconds to go the Cataractes netminder finally made his way off the ice.
As the Cataracte attack broke into the Eagle zone, Vincent Senez was taken down by Kyle Havlena who was whistled for a penalty. It created a 6 on 4 situation but Shawinigan could not initially able to create any offense.
At the 19:50 mark of the third period the Cataractes would earn their first shot. With seconds ticking down Leon Denny elected not to shoot after picking up the rebound, but passed off to Mavrick Bourque who would find the tying goal with less than two seconds to play.
The two sides would combine for five shots in overtime, with almost every one being a huge scoring chance. Balmas was denied his second goal of the night when Fitzpatrick stopped him on a breakway, and Grimard turned aside a pair of chances from Vincent Senez.
The break would come with less than 90 seconds to play in the extra session as Balmas came in alone again, up the right wing. The Eagles overage forward would switch to his backhand, roofing it over Fitzpatrick to give the the Eagles the victory.
Grimard picked up the victory, stopping 27 of 30 shots. Fitzpatrick stopped 30 of 30 shots in the loss.
The Screaming Eagles now head home to take on the powerful Baie-Comeau Drakkar who will make their lone visit of the season to Centre 200 on Thursday night. Puck drop is at 7 PM, and tickets can be purchased at the Centre 200 box office, by phone at 902-564-2200 or online at https://tickets.capebreton.ca/Online/default.asp
THREE STARS OF THE GAME 1. Mitchell Balmas (Cape Breton) 2 goals (game winner), 1 assist, 5 shots 2. Leon Gawanke (Cape Breton) 2 goals, 2 assists, +3 3. Gabriel Denis (Shawinigan) 1 goal, 3 hits
Scratches For Cape Breton: Isiah Campbell, Liam Kidney
Scratches For Shawinigan: Colin Paradis (injury), Olivier Desroches (injury), Mathieu Samson
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2018
- Wildcats Pull of 5-4 Win over the Drakkar in Dramatic Fashion - Moncton Wildcats
- Eagles Cap Road Trip with Win in OT Thriller in Shawinigan - Cape Breton Eagles
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