Romeo Stays Hot During Losing Quebec Road Trip - Eagles Recap 0/2024
February 13, 2024 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
Cooling off in Quebec
The Cape Breton Eagles hot streak as of late came to an abrupt end last week as the club entered the province of Quebec. Already faced with an uphill battle due to lengthy travel and rescheduling which resulted in having to play three games in three days, the Eagles returned to Cape Breton Monday afternoon empty handed.
After falling to the league lading Baie-Commeau, Chicoutimi and Rimouski, seedings amongst the middle of the league's Eastern Conference have since shifted and have nudged the Eagles out of the playoff home-ice advantage slot of 4th place.
As of Tuesday, the Eagles currently sit in 5th seed in the conference with 56 points, three points back of the Rimouski Oceanic who have leapfrogged the Eagles club following Sunday's matchup and now sit in 4th seed with 59 points and two games in hand. After winning four straight, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens are on the Eagles heals as well, sitting just three points back in 6th position with two more games played.
Thursday's matchup between the Eagles and the Moncton Wildcats at Centre 200 could prove to be significant in the eastern conference standings moving forward, as the Wildcats, who have lost four of their last five games, come into Sydney just three points ahead of Rimouski in third place.
If the playoffs were to begin today, the Eagles would still be faced off with Rimouski in the 4th versus 5th matchup, with the Oceanic gaining home ice advantage.
Romeo Remains Hot
While the Eagles hot streak has cooled down for the time being, recently acquired power-forward Lucas Romeo has remained hot since joining his new club during the winter trade period.
The Eagles acquired Romeo and a third round draft pick in 2026 for forward Will Shields on Jan. 2nd, which has proven to be a success for the Eagles as the 18-year-old has maintained a point-per-game performance after his first 14 games while putting up an impressive 11 goals.
Standing at 6'3, 205lbs, Romeo attended the Chicago Blackhawks rookie development camp this past year and has made an impact in all areas of the ice since arriving in Sydney.
Much of the Oakville, Ontario product's success has come from his play with line mates Charles-Antoine Lavallee and Antoine Roy. In what has taken on the role of the team's checking line, all three forwards have shown to use their size, speed and agility to find the back of the net on a consistent basis since being paired together upon Romeo's arrival.
In January, Eagles General Manager Sylvain Couturier said Romeo had been on his radar for sometime before being acquired at the trade period.
"He is the kind of player that we like. A big strong right-winger which I think is one of the best power-forwards in the league," he said.
On Tuesday, Couturier said Romeo has exceeded his expectations both physically and in terms of goal scoring.
"We knew he would be strong physically and could find the back of the net but he is showing up more than we expected. He is a big part of our team now and he will be a big part of the team next year and moving forward," he said.
Romeo said he is satisfied with his play after returning from an early season injury.
"Coming into the season I think I expected to have a better year, producing wise than last year. Obviously getting hurt in the first half didn't help, but I had a really big summer and I am happy it is starting to pay off."
A tough, physical power forward, Romeo said physicality has always been a big focus of his play throughout his career and continues to be true while playing with Lavallee and Roy.
"No one likes being hit so that's why I was brought in, to add some depth to the lineup and to keep that up into the playoffs," he said. "I think our game is just to get pucks deep, cycle and work down low. Those two are great and I like playing with them, we have been moving the puck well and scoring so its been really good."
The 18-year-old said his Eagles team has continued to gel over the last month, both on and off the ice, leading to their recent success.
"After the trade period, we kind of knew that our team was going to be like this for the rest of the season. The boys are starting to get close, lots of time on the road together, everyone hangs out outside of the rink so we got a good group and I think we will make a good run."
Stephen Dixon Night and Billet Appreciation on Wednesday
On Friday, the Cape Breton Eagles announced the upcoming "Stephen Dixon Night at the Nest" scheduled for Feb. 14 at Centre 200 in Sydney.
Dixon was a first round draft pick of the Eagles in 2001 before playing four seasons with the club between 2001 and 2005. Here, he scored 224 points in 236 games, sitting him sixth on the Cape Breton Eagles all-time scoring list. Dixon was also named team captain in the 2004/2005 season.
In the 2003/2004 season, Dixon won a silver medal as part of Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Finland before claiming a World Junior gold medal the following year in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Dixon and Rimouski's Sidney Crosby were the only two players chosen as part of Team Canada from the QMJHL that year.
A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dixon recently concluded a long professional playing career which took him across many European and North American hockey leagues including the American Hockey League, the Swedish professional league, the Finish professional league, the KHL, the DEL in Germany and the EIHL in England where he finished his career with the Cardiff Devils and the Glasgow Clan last season.
On Feb. 14th, come welcome back a beloved Eagles alumni as he returns to Centre 200 for a special presentation and meet and greet in what should be a special night at the Nest!
Also on Friday, prior to puck drop will be the Eagles Billet Appreciation ceremony!
And in the spirit of Valentines Day, purchase a special ticket offer of 2 adult tickets for only $30!
Get your tickets
https://shorturl.at/hxCHV
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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2024
- Romeo Stays Hot During Losing Quebec Road Trip - Eagles Recap 0/2024 - Cape Breton Eagles
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