Eagles Rally Thwarted by Wildcats in Sydney
Published on December 15, 2021 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
SYDNEY - A third period comeback for the Cape Breton Eagles fell short on Wednesday as they ended a four game homestand with a 4-3 defeat against the Moncton Wildcats.
The game was delayed for 30 minutes as the officials were late arriving at Centre 200 so puck drop was delayed until 7:30. It would take even longer for the officials to blow the whistle as the first 34 minutes of the game were played at 5 on 5.
It almost took 14 minutes for the first score sheet activity at all, as that was when the Wildcats opened the scoring- a Francesco Iasenza shot from the side boards by Nicolas Ruccia. Then with just under 100 seconds remaining in the opening fram, Yoan Loshing finished a nice passing play from a pinching Connor Olson to make it 2-0 for the visitors.
Moncton didn't wait long to expand their lead when the game resumed, just 1:36 into the period as Jacob Stewart beat Ruccia on the short side. The Eagles countered when Émile Hegarty-Aubin tipped an FJ Buteau shot by Vincent Fillion, but not long after Alexis Daniel executed his own tip in tight to the goal on Ruccia to make it a 4-1 score.
The Eagles had a big opportunity to close the gap when the first penalty of the game was called- a double minor against Iasenza for high sticking. But the home team couldn't generate much on the power play and the second period ended with a 4-1 score.
In the third period, Moncton would be the team getting a lengthy power play chance as Eagles defenseman Conor Shortall was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for a check to the head The Eagles killed the penalty off and it was still a three goal game halfway through the third period. (Daniel, who received the check from Shortall, did not return to the game.)
There was finally a power play goal with under seven minutes remaining as a Nicholas Girouard shot bounced off the skate of a Moncton defenseman and by Fillion, over the goal line. (Eagles defenseman Emile Perron was hurt on the play and did not return to the game, although he is likely to be back for weekend action.)
Moncton had a prime opportunity to reclaim the three goal lead when Jérémy Langlois was called for hooking and Thomas Auger was awarded a penalty shot. (Langlois was making his return to action after missing two games with injury). Ruccia denied Auger though, and the hope for a comeback was on. The Eagles pressed further and Hegarty-Aubin's second of the night made it a one goal game in the final three minutes.
With just 75 seconds remaining, Eagles coach Matt Anthony elected to lift Ruccia from the net for an extra attacker. However the Eagles couldn't find the tying goal and it was 4-3 final score.
Prior to the game, the Eagles announced that the club had mutually parted ways with forward MIkhail Nizovkin who will finish the season in Russia. With Matt MacDonald missing due to injury and Ivan Ivan away at World Junior training camp for the Czech Republic, forward Luke Patterson was recalled for his fourth game of the season.
Fillion picked up the win in net, stopping 28 of 31 shots. Ruccia took the loss, allowing 23 of 27 goals.
The Eagles will now finish the pre-Christmas portion of the regular season with a pair of games against the Charlottetown Islanders. Friday night's game goes at 7:30 PM Both games will be broadcast on Eastlink Television, and are available for purchase online at https://watch.chl.ca. You can also hear all the action Friday night beginning with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 7 PM on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Émile Hegarty-Aubin (Cape Breton) 2 goals
2. Jacob Stewart (Moncton) 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Yoan Loshing (Moncton) 1 goal, 3 shots
Scratches For Cape Breton: Ivan Ivan (World Juniors), Jacob Squires (suspension), Mikhail Nizovkin (released), Rémi Delafontaine (personal), Matt MacDonald (lower body injury)
Scratches For Moncton: Ethan Dollemont (lower body injury), Vincent Labelle (upper body injury), Jonas Taibel (upper body injury), Nicholas Blagden (suspension)
Final Shots On Goal: 31-27 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/3
Moncton Power Play: 0/1
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2021
- Eagles Rally Thwarted by Wildcats in Sydney - Cape Breton Eagles
- Procedures and Ticket Info for December 18 - Moncton Wildcats
- Saint John Sea Dogs Covid Update - Saint John Sea Dogs
- QMJHL Player Placed in Isolation - QMJHL
- Game Preview: December 15 vs Halifax - Charlottetown Islanders
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