Eagles Post Victory on Home Opening Night in Halifax
Published on October 27, 2018 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles spoiled the party for the home opener of the Halifax Mooseheads with a 5-2 victory at Scotiabank Centre on Saturday night.
It was the Mooseheads who scored first, but the Eagles would take the lead before period's end. Jared McIsaac opened the scoring for the home team with a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle. Starting from the blueline he skated towards the net and lifted it by Kevin Mandolese to give the home side a 1-0 edge.
However before period's end the Screaming Eagles would be firmly in control of the game. The tying goal came from Mitchell Balmas who skated to the front of the Halifax net, dangling around the Mooseheads defense and putting it over Alexis Gravel. Less than two minutes later, and before the halfway mark of the period, Declan Smith would come in off the right wing for a top shelf shot of his own to pull the visitors ahead.
Isiah Campbell would complete the scoring for the period, cashing in on a rebound from Wilson Forest. Campbell crashed the goal and slid the puck low along the ice past Gravel and it was 3-1 Cape Breton at the end of 20 minutes.
Halifax would outshoot Cape Breton in the second period, the only period they would in the game, by a count of 13-8 but neither team could find the back of the net. Both sides failed to convert on a power play opportunity- the Mooseheads chance coming at the beginning of the period as a carry over from the first, while the Eagles couldn't cash in at the end of the frame.
Special teams would be a factor on the next goal though. Brooklyn Kalmikov of the Screaming Eagles was sent off for interference early in the third stanza, but a penalty to Arnaud Durandeau would kill the last minute off of the penalty. With the teams playing four on four and most of the players drawn to the right side boards, Adam McCormick would jump into the play on the left wing and rip a shot past Gravel to push the Eagles lead to 4-1.
Mooseheads defenseman Jake Ryczek would pull the Mooseheads within two at the halfway mark of the third period with a shot from a similar location to McIssac's earlier in the game. Down two goals with under three minutes to play, Halifax coach Eric Veilleux elected to pull Gravel for the extra attacker.
But Halifax would get no closer- Leon Gawanke would seal the victory for the Eagles with a shot from the Cape Breton end of the ice. Following the Gawanke marker Veilleux would take Gravel out again, but there was no further scoring from either side and the Eagles skated to a 5-2 victory.
Mandolese turned aside 26 of 28 shots in the win. Gravel allowed four goals on 27 shots in the loss in addition to the empty netter.
The Screaming Eagles will now head back home Tuesday night to take on the Moncton Wildcats. Puck drop is 7 PM. 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) 1 goal, 1 assist, +2 2. Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton) 26 saves on 28 shots 3. Jake Ryczek (Halifax) 1 goal, 1 assist Scratches For Cape Breton: Félix Lafrance, Shaun Miller (injury)
Scratches For Halifax: Ostap Safin (injury), Samuel Dube (injury), Kyle Petten (injury)
Final Shots On Goal: 28-28
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/3
Halifax Power Play: 0/2
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2018
- Eagles Post Victory on Home Opening Night in Halifax - Cape Breton Eagles
- Sea Dogs Support the Troops this Sunday - Saint John Sea Dogs
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