Eagles Rally Falls Short in Saint John
Published on March 5, 2023 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
NOTES FROM THE GAMES
- The Cape Breton Eagles built leads of 1-0 & 2-1 before falling behind 6-3, with a rally that fell short in a 6-5 loss to the Sea Dogs in Saint John. Olivier Houde (who earlier notched an assist) scored twice in the final six minutes for the Eagles. Peter Reynolds led the Saint John attack with a four point night.
- The game was played almost entirely 5 on 5, but both teams executed on the power play- Saint John going 2/2 and Cape Breton going 1/1.
- Jacob Newcombe scored and added two assists for the Eagles while Charles Boutin notched two assists and both Angelo Fullerton & Cam Squires also scored in the loss.
- Saint John Sea Dogs forward Nathan Casey had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher after a collision with Eagles forward Antoine Roy in the second period. Before the game's conclusion it was announced in the arena that Casey was conscious, in stable condition, and able to communicate.
While both teams had their share of chances in the first period (Saint John outshot Cape Breton 15-11), it didn't appear it would be a high scoring game as it was locked at 1 after the opening period. After Squires scored for the visitors, Reynolds potted a power play goal from the right side of the net on the only man advantage of the opening period.
Just as was the case in the first period, the Eagles scored only to be countered. Saint John native Angelo Fullerton scored for the first time in his home town to put Cape Breton in front, but Sea Dogs defenseman Giuseppe Ianniello tied the game converting a pass from Reynolds from the side boards.
Four minutes after the goal, Casey left the game due to injury. Forechecking in the Eagles zone, he turned around and collided with Roy, falling to the ice and remaining motionless. With the assistance of staff from both teams he was taken off the ice on a stretcher. At the intermission, it was announced in the building that he was conscious, in stable condition, and able to communicate.
Following the restart, the Sea Dogs took their first lead of the game, as defenseman Nicolas Bilodeau jumped into the rush to finish a two on one with Brady Burns to give Saint John a 3-2 edge. The Sea Dogs carried their first lead of the game into the second intermission.
The third period saw more goals than the first two periods combined. Saint John's Noah Reinhart found himself alone in front of the net and put the puck past Oliver Satny for a power play marker to give Saint John their first two goal lead of the day. The Eagles countered, as an innocent looking shot from Newcombe found its way by Ventsislav Shingarov to make it a 4-3 game.
The home club responded, as Reynolds converted a nice pass from Luka Benoit to push the edge to 5-3, and the first three goal margin of the game developed when Eriks Mateiko fed Alex Drover the puck in front of the net.
It was then Houde's time to shine, as his first goal came on the strength of a three way passing play. Newcombe pushed the puck into the zone with a backhand pass to Houde, who dished it to Boutin. Boutin gave the puck to Houde and he pulled the Eagles within two goals with under six minutes to play.
With 1:40 to play, Bilodeau was sent off for holding and the Eagles had their first power play of the game- a six on four advantage after Satny was lifted for an extra attacker. Saint John killed the first half off the minor, but with 18 seconds to play Ivan Ivan came up the left wing and found Houde in front to close the gap to one.
On the ensuing centre ice faceoff, the Eagles elected to keep Satny on the bench. The Eagles were able to gain the Saint John zone but couldn't find a tying goal and the Sea Dogs skated to a 6-5 victory.
Shingarov stopped 28 of 33 shots in the win, while Satny turned aside 35 of 41 shots in the loss.
The same two teams will match up again on Tuesday as the Eagles conclude their three game road trip. Puck drop is 7 PM Atlantic time. The game is available for purchase online at https://bit.ly/3ZkXsyU. You can also hear all the action beginning with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 6:30 PM on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Peter Reynolds (Saint John) 2 goals, 2 assists, 6 shots
2. Noah Reinhart (Saint John) 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots
3. Jacob Newcombe (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 2 assists
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jude Campbell, Cameron Henderson
Scratches For Saint John: Harrison Ballard (injury), Nico Laforge (injury), Jeremie Richard (injury), Sam-Luca Thifault (injury), Jacob Beaulieu
Final Shots On Goal: 41-33 in favour of Saint John
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/1
Saint John Power Play: 2/2
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2023
- Mooseheads Pull Even with the Remparts - Halifax Mooseheads
- Eagles Rally Falls Short in Saint John - Cape Breton Eagles
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