Eagles Take Commanding 3-0 Series Lead Over Rimouski
Published on April 2, 2024 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
The goaltenders were the stars of the opening period- the Eagles outshot the Océanic 17-11, but the teams combined for just one goal, and it was an unusual one. Past the seven-minute mark, Squires came in on a breakway and was denied by Lacelle. With the puck lying in the blue paint, Charle Truchon tried to clear the puck, but his clearing attempt bounced off of Charles Côté and by Lacelle. The Eagles took the lead into the second period.
Penalty trouble caught up to the Eagles in the middle stanza. After successful kills of minors to Lucas Romeo & Charles-Antoine Lavallée, Romeo ended up in the box a second time and this time the home side converted. St-Denis was able to tip an Alexandre Blais shot through traffic by Ruccia, and the game was locked at one heading into the third period.
The Eagles did not let the game remain tied for long into the third period. MacDonald, set up at the top of the right faceoff circle, blasted the puck over Lacelle to put the Eagles in front before the four-minute mark.
Both teams had multiple power play opportunities later in the third period, with some overlapping four on four, but no one else was able to beat either goaltender. Lacelle was lifted in the final two minutes for an extra attacker.
Coming up the right wing, Squires was forced to the outside on a two on one, hitting the post attempting to hit the empty net. But he was able to find the rebound and score from a sharp angle, sealing the deal and giving the Eagles a 3-1 victory and a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
The Eagles will look to finish the series tomorrow night as game four goes in Rimouski! Puck drop is 8 PM AST. The game is available for purchase on https://shorturl.at/lmHNS and you can also hear all the action on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com.
NOTES FROM THE GAME
- Cam MacDonald's goal at 3:22 of the third period broke a 1-1 tie and helped the Eagles en route to a 3-1 victory over the Rimouski Océanic. With the win, the Eagles took 3-0 lead in the series.
- Cam Squires scored twice unassisted, his second into an empty net, while Maël St-Denis scored for Rimouski. Brayden Schmitt & Zach Biggar notched assists on the MacDonald winning goal.
- Nicolas Ruccia stopped 25 of 26 shots in the win, while William Lacelle stopped 38 of 40 in the loss in addition to the empty net goal.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. William Lacelle (Rimouski) 38 saves on 40 shots
2. Maël St-Denis (RimouskI) 1 goal, 3 shots
3. Cam Squires (Cape Breton) 2 goals, +3
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jude Campbell (injury), Noah Larochelle, Etienne Desjardins
Scratches For Rimouski: Luke Coughlin (injury), Quentin Miller (injury), Ben Cross, Tyson Goguen, Olivier Théberge
Final Shots On Goal: 40-26 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/3
Rimouski Power Play: 1'/5
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2024
- Isles Trail 3-0 in Series After Losing 5-3 to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar - Charlottetown Islanders
- Eagles Take Commanding 3-0 Series Lead Over Rimouski - Cape Breton Eagles
- Do Or Die for the Mooseheads After Ugly Loss - Halifax Mooseheads
- QMJHL Announces the 18 Candidates for the Marcel-Robert Trophy - Halifax Mooseheads
- Isles Come Home for Games Three and Four against the Drakkar - Charlottetown Islanders
- Eagles Hit the Road for Game 3 in Rimouski - Cape Breton Eagles
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