Phoenix Blank Eagles in Friday Night Nailbiter
Published on October 27, 2023 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
NOTES FROM THE GAME - Lewis Gendron's power play goal in the opening period stood up as the winner as the Sherbrooke Phoenix topped the Eagles 2-0 on Friday night in Sherbrooke. Maxime Côté added an empty netter in the final minutes of the game.
- Both starting goaltenders shone, as Samuel St-Hilaire stopped 19 of 19 shots while Jakob Milota turned aside 24 of 25 shots.
- St-Hilaire left the game with a hand injury he sustained with 4:01 to play in the third period- Mathys Routhier stopped three shots in relief to secure the Sherbrooke victory.
Sherbrooke cashed in on their second power play of the game, as a rebound came out to Gendron who pulled the puck back and deked around Milota for the game's opening marker. The Eagles also had two power plays in the opening frame but were unable to score.
The second period featured plenty more special teams, but neither team was able to score. The Eagles came through with a key kill in the final five minutes of the middle stanza when Cam Squires was given a double minor for high sticking.
While St-Hilaire starred for the Phoenix, he had some help from his goalposts- Squires & Conor Shortall both rung shots off the iron early in the third period within less than a minute of each other. (Sherbrooke captain Christophe Rondeau also hit the post with a shot in the second period.)
St-Hilaire's hand was cut after a collision with Olivier Houde was driving the net looking for a tying goal, with Routhier coming in in relief. The Eagles pulled Milota for an extra attacker, but couldn't get closer as Cote hit the open net to double the Sherbrooke lead.
Routhier did also pick up a penalty in his brief appearance, for playing the puck behind the net outside the trapezoid. Milota was lifted again to create a six on four advantage, but the Eagles couldn't capitalize as the two Phoenix goaltenders shared a shutout.
The Eagles finish up their three game Quebec swing tomorrow in Blainville-Boisbriand. Game time is 5 PM AST. The game is available for purchase on https://shorturl.at/jEGQ4 and you can also hear all the action on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Samuel St-Hilaire (Sherbrooke) 19 saves on 19 shots
2. Jakob Milota (Cape Breton) 24 saves on 25 shots
3. Etienne Tremblay-Mathieu (Sherbrooke) 2 shots
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jacob Newcombe (Illness), Jude Campbell (injury), Lincoln Waugh, Callum Aucoin
Scratches For Sherbrooke: Louis-Alex Tremblay, Coen Miller, Justin Larkin
Final Shots On Goal: 26-22 in favour of Sherbrooke
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/5
Sherbrooke Power Play: 1/7
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2023
- Phoenix Blank Eagles in Friday Night Nailbiter - Cape Breton Eagles
- Top Line Produces in Charlottetown - Halifax Mooseheads
- The Isles Bounce Back With A Wild 6-5 Win Over The Saint John Sea Dogs - Charlottetown Islanders
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