Late Goal Gives Eagles Win in Thriller vs. Moncton
Published on March 30, 2022 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
SYDNEY - The Cape Breton Eagles snapped a losing streak in a thrilling come from behind 5-4 victory over the Moncton Wildcats.
Despite nine goals being scored on the night, the game took a while to find its first goal- and goals would come in bunches throughout the night. Just 24 seconds into the game, Jack Campbell was whistled for a penalty. However, the best chance of the power play came on a shorthanded breakaway for Émile Hegarty-Aubin but he was denied by Vincent Fillion.
While Moncton didn't score on the power play, they had chances in the early part of the period. Vincent Labelle hit a crossbar, and Miles Mueller thought he may have scored but the goal was called back due to the puck being knocked down with a high stick.
It was scoreless with 90 seconds to play in the period, but Moncton carried a 2-0 lead into the intermission. To start the scoring Vincent Labelle completed a cross-crease pass from Francesco Iasenza, and then 36 seconds later Alexis Morin completed a tap in to make it 2-0.
The teams each earned multiple power plays in the middle frame, but it was at even strength the Eagles would find a way to tie the game. After the halfway mark of the period Sean Larochelle ripped it by Fillion to make it 2-1. Then, with just over two mintues to play in the middle stanza, Nicholas Girouard sent the puck to Cam Squires who put a high shot on net- and then battled out his own rebound for a highlight reel goal to tie the game.
The game looked like it may be destined for overtime as neither team could produce a go ahead goal for almost the first 12 minutes of the third period. However, the final eight minutes would be a back and forth affair starting with a pair of goals that saw bad luck for defensemen.
FJ Buteau of the Eagles found himself trying to defend a two on one as Dave Matthews sent the puck across to Sam Archibald. Butueau effectively clogged the lane but it bounced off his skate and Archibald took advantage, giving Moncton the lead. But at 15:39, Peter Repcik tied the game under a similar circumstance. Ivan Ivan tried to send the puck across to Repcik, Ethan Dollemont blocked the pass but it bounced out to Ivan to put it over Fillion to tie the game.
The tie game lasted for less than 40 seconds. A broken sequence saw Alexis Daniel alone in the blue paint, able to tap it into the empty net to give Moncton the lead once more. With 1:45 to play, Eagles coach Chadd Cassidy lifted Delafontaine for an extra attacker. Just 14 seconds later, the pressure intensified on the Wildcats as Jaxon Bellamy was sent to the penalty box for tripping.
The Eagles put on the pressure in a six on four situation. Ivan Ivan moved the puck down the left side of the ice to Logan Camp at the side of the net. He turned around and lifted the puck by Fillion, tying the game with one minute to go.
Moncton was intent on not waiting until overtime to reclaim the lead, pressing in the last minute. Brooklyn Kalmikov was denied by Delafontaine, and Jérémy Langlois picked up the puck. After Langlois had a secondary assist on the Camp goal, he sent a pass more than 100 feet down the ice for Cam Squires. Squires came in on a late breakway and put the puck over Fillion to give the Eagles their first lead of the game with 15 seconds to play.
After the Eagles had pulled the goaltender earlier, Moncton coach Daniel Lacroix called a timeout immediately following the goal and lifted Fillion for an extra attacker for a centre ice faceoff. But the Cats couldn't create a tying goal and the Eagles had a 5-4 victory, their third win on home ice against Moncton this season.
Delafontaine stopped 26 of 30 shots in the win, while Fillion turned aside 34 of 39 in the loss.
The Eagles home stand continues Friday night at 7 PM as they play the first of a back to back against the Saint John Sea Dogs! 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. Cam Squires (Cape Breton) 2 goals, 1 assist
2. Vincent Fillion (Moncton) 34 saves on 39 shots
3. Rémi Delafontaine (Cape Breton) 26 saves on 30 shots
Scratches For Cape Breton: Kian Bell (lower body injury), Lucas Canning, Romain Rodzinski (upper body injury)
Scratches For Moncton: Nathan Casey (upper body injury), Thomas Auger (lower body injury), Anthony Hamel (upper body injury), Francis Langlois (personal), Charles-Antoine Pilote (upper body injury)
Final Shots On Goal: 39-30 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/7
Moncton Power Play: 0/5
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2022
- Late Goal Gives Eagles Win in Thriller vs. Moncton - Cape Breton Eagles
- Daoust Scores Two in Win over Halifax - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Sea Dogs at Mooseheads: Today at 7:00 PM - Saint John Sea Dogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
