Eagles Edged 5-3 by Mooseheads
Published on April 14, 2022 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
SYDNEY - The Cape Breton Eagles took an early lead, then battled back, but ultimately fell short in a 5-3 loss to the Halifax Mooseheads Thursday night in Sydney.
While Halifax outshot the Eagles 11-10 in the opening period, it was the only the home side that hit the scoresheet in the first 20 minutes. The Eagles struck first just after the five minute mark- an Eagle face off win found its way back to Carter McCluskey and he trickled a shot by Brady James. James was beat in a similar spot following a fancy deke later in the period from Nicholas Giroaurd.
Prior to the Girouard goal, Halifax earned the only power play of the period- but the Eagles were able to kill the slashing minor for Charles Savoie. The Eagles led 2-0 after the opening 20 minutes.
The Eagles had opportunity to to pad the lead early in the third period when Savoie was awarded a penalty shot after being slashed by Alexandre Tessier. Brady James was able to deny him, but was put to the test when the Eagles were shortly after awarded a power play. But a third goal wasn't yet in the cards for the home side.
Just past the halfway mark of regulation, the Mooseheads got on the board with a beautiful backhanded breakaway goal from Markus Vidicek. Less than a minute after the goal, the teams began a breathless sequence of 6:28 without a single whistle- back and forth action that only finished when Braeden MacPhee buried a pass from Vincent Gauthier to tie the game.
Both teams had chances to take the lead late in the middle stanza. FJ Buteau rung one off the post, and then Vidicek did the same just as the horn blared to the end the period- it would have been a buzzer beater had it crossed the line.
Halifax came out strong to start the third period, generating big chances on an early power play. Both Vidicek and Dumais rang the iron but the Mooseheads couldn't light the lamp red on the man advantage. However, they found the go ahead goal at even strength before the eight minute mark. Mathieu Cataford passed to Elliot Desnoyers in the slot, and the Mooseheads captain elected to feed Jordan Dumais at the side of the net, who was able to beat an outstretched Ruccia.
Behind for the first time in the game, it was the Eagles turn to push back as for the first time in the evening a power play would come through. After some good pressure Ivan Ivan found the back of the net it and was knotted at three.
Special teams would unofficially play a factor in the game's scoring one more time. Much to the protests of the Centre 200 crowd, Savoie was sent off for high sticking. The Eagles were able to kill the penalty off, but just four seconds following its conclusion Stephen Davis sent a shot through a screen to give Halifax the lead.
Eagles coach Chadd Cassidy elected to pull Ruccia with 3:20 remaining, and at one point the Eagles felt they had tied the game- a point shot dropped to the side of James and was put over the goal line, but a quick whistle had already blown to stop play. The Eagles had further chances but couldn't find the back of the net and Desnoyers would hit the open cage.
There were fireworks towards the end of the period. Halifax's Dylan MacKinnon, who had already been whistled for holding, was given an instigator penalty as he dropped his gloves with Cape Breton's Jack Campbell, who proceeded to unload on the Mooseheads rookie. The Eagles came out of the sequence with the power play but could come no closer and the game finished with a 5-3 score.
James picked up the win, stopping 35 of 38 shots. Ruccia took the loss, stopping 36 of 40 in addition to the empty netter.
The Eagles will now get ready for a back to back set against the Saint John Sea Dogs, beginning on Saturday night! Puck drop is at 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.ticketmaster.ca/cape-breton-eagles-tickets/artist/891825. 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
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Nicolas Ruccia (Cape Breton) 36 saves on 40 shots
2. Ivan Ivan (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Stephen Davis (Halifax) game winning goal, +2, 5 hits
Scratches For Cape Breton: Peter Repcik (Division 1A World U18s), Kian Bell (lower body injury), Romain Rodzinski (upper body injury)
Scratches For Halifax: Zachary L'Heureux (lower body injury), Attilio Biasca (upper body injury), Cameron Whynott (illness)
Final Shots On Goal: 41-38 in favour of Halifax
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/3
Halifax Power Play: 0/3
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 14, 2022
- Eagles Edged 5-3 by Mooseheads - Cape Breton Eagles
- Top Line Puts on a Show in 8-4 Win in Charlottetown - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Rosters Announced for Final Stage of QMJHL Cup - QMJHL
- Sea Dogs vs Islanders: Today at 7:00 PM - Saint John Sea Dogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
