Olympiques Top Eagles in Halloween Matinee in Sydney
Published on October 31, 2021 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
SYDNEY - The Gatineau Olympiques spoiled the Halloween party on Sunday afternoon as the visitors claimed a 5-2 victory at Centre 200.
Both teams had quality chances early, but the game's first goal wouldn't come until almost the 12 minute mark on a lucky bounce. A Tristan Luneau shot was turned aside by Eagles net minder Nicolas Ruccia, and bounced off an Eagles defender by the Eagles net minder. Gatineau doubled their lead by period's end when Cole Cormier finished a one timer in the right face-off circle on the power play and the Olympiques had a 2-0 edge at the break.
Special teams would factor into the game again just prior to the midway mark of the second period. The Eagles were unable to score in the first 110 seconds of a power play, and were whistled for a too many on the ice penalty. With the teams playing four on four and the face-off in the Eagles zone, Eagle defenseman Romain Rodzinski fired the puck the length of the ice- but Matt MacDonald was the race to the hashmarks and helped earn an offensive zone draw just as the Gatineau penalty was ending.
Ivan Ivan won the draw and flipped the puck to Émile Hegarty-Aubin, who ripped the shot past Emerik Despatie and scoring against his old team. However, despite the short handed marker, the Olympiques reclaimed a two goal edge when Mathieu Bizier executed a perfect tip in front of the net on the same power play. It was 3-1 at the end of the second period.
Bizier was at it again in the third period, as after a breakdown in the neutral zone a 2 on 1 turned into a 2 on 0. Bizier and Antonin Verreault passed the puck back and forth and Bizier beat Ruccia low along the ice to push the lead to 4-1.
The Eagles would not go away just yet, as at the 17:11 mark, Ivan Ivan zapped a shot by Despatie to extend his QMJHL leading goal scoring streak to five games. Not long after Eagles coach Jake Grimes would lift Ruccia for an extra attackers. The home produced substantial zone time in the Gatineau end but could get no closer, and Mikael Martel hit the empty net to seal the game for the visitors.
Despatie stopped 26 of 28 in the win, while Ruccia turned aside 30 of 34 in the loss in addition to the empty netter. With Eagles net minder Rémi Delafontaine nursing a lower body injury, Sydney Rush goaltender Lucas Fraser served as the Eagles backup goaltender.
The Eagles will now head out to Quebec for a three game road trip beginning Wednesday night in Rimouski. Puck drop is 8:30 PM Atlantic time. The game is available for purchase online at https://watch.chl.ca. You can also hear all the action beginning with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 8 PM on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Mathieu Bizier (Gatineau) 2 goals, 2 assists, 9 shots
2. Émile Hegarty-Aubin (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Cole Cormier (Gatineau) 1 goal, 1 assist
Scratches For Cape Breton: Kiefer Lyons, Cam Squires, Nicholas Girouard (lower body injury), Rémi Delafontaine (lower body injury)
Scratches For Gatineau: Zachary Dean (injury), Haakon Frederik Hanelt (injury), Kieran Craig, Charles-Antoine Lavallée
Final Shots On Goal: 35-28 in favour of Gatineau
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/3
Gatineau Power Play: 2/5
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2021
- Francis Scores Game Winner in First Game Back - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Fresh from the Farm Report - Presented by Dairy Farmers of Canada - Moncton Wildcats
- Olympiques Top Eagles in Halloween Matinee in Sydney - Cape Breton Eagles
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