Eagles Suffer Tough Loss to Bathurst in Sydney
Published on December 5, 2021 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
SYDNEY - It was an afternoon to forget for the Cape Breton Eagles as they were defeated 11-2 by the Acadie-Bathurst Titan Sunday in Sydney.
The day got off to a promising start for the home side- it was an evenly played first ten minutes or so, with the clubs going back and forth on the shot clock, and both unable to score on their power play. Ivan Ivan provided the breakthrough for the homeside at the 11:27 mark with a nifty goal- cutting off the right wing and sweeping around the crease to beat Jan Bednar low along the ice.
Bathurst was able to take control of the game in the final five minutes of the opening frame though. First it was Marc-André Gaudet snapping a wrister by Nicolas Ruccia. Then, Riley Kidney parked himself at the left side of the night and tapped in a pass from Jacob Melanson to give the Titan a lead they would take to the break.
A fortunate bounce started the scoring for the Titan in the middle stanza, as a centring pass by Bennett MacArthur went off a skate and by Ruccia. 45 seconds later, a screened point shot by Cole Larkin made it 4-1 for the visitors.
The Eagles had a prime opportunity to get back into the game when, while already on a four minute power play, MacArthur was sent off for high sticking creating a 5 on 3. Just nine seconds into the two man advantage Dawson Stairs sent a high shot over Jan Bednar to pull the Eagles within two goals. The goal meant the end of the first half of Kidney's double minor, so the Eagles still had a 5 on 3 for a stretch of 1:51.
However, that went by the wayside with an Émile Hegarty-Aubin interference minor. Following the 4 on 3 and 4 on 4 sequences, Jacob Melanson converted on the power play for the visitors to make it 5-1. Before period's end, Joseph Henneberry snapped a shot from the left faceoff circle and MacArthur netted his second of the night to make it 7-2.
Bathurst kept their foot on the gas in the third period as MacArthur completed his second consecutive hat trick, and less than two minutes later Jacob Melanson found the back of the net. In the final four minutes, Ben Allison ripped a shot from the left faceoff circle before Joseph Henneberry scored short handed on a breakaway to finish the scoring for the Titan.
Bednar picked up the win, stopping 26 of 28 shots. Ruccia took the loss, allowing 11 goals on 52 shots.
The Eagles are back on home ice on Thursday night as they host the defending President's Cup champion Victoriaville Tigres, who are making their only visit to Centre 200 this season. 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. Bennett MacArthur (Acadie-Bathurst) 3 goals, 6 shots, +2
2. Jacob Melanson (Acadie-Bathurst) 2 goals, 1 assist, 6 shots
3. Marc-André Gaudet (Acadie-Bathurst) 1 goal, 1 assist, 6 shots
Scratches For Cape Breton: Lucas Canning (upper body injury), Nicholas Girouard (lower body injury), Kiefer Lyons
Scratches For Acadie-Bathurst: Cole Huckins (injury), Harijs Brants (Division 1A World Junior)
Final Shots On Goal: 52-28 in favour of Acadie-Bathurst
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/6
Acadie-Bathurst Power Play: 2/5
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 5, 2021
- Sea Dogs Drop Final Game of Quebec Road Trip 2-1 - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Eagles Suffer Tough Loss to Bathurst in Sydney - Cape Breton Eagles
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