Saint John Rallies for Victory as Eagles Fall in Road Trip Opener
Published on December 2, 2023 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
NOTES FROM THE GAME
- Noah Reinhart's four-point night helped pace the Saint John Sea Dogs to a comeback victory, rallying from down 2-0 to top the Cape Breton Eagles 6-3.
- Angelo Fullerton, Cam Squires, and Émile Ricard scored in the loss for the Eagles. It was the first time this season the Eagles were defeated after scoring the game's opening goal.
- Patrick Leaver picked up the win for Saint John, stopping 33 of 36 shots. Nicolas Ruccia took the loss, stopping 13 of 18 before being relieved by Jakob Milota. Milota stopped all five shots in relief, in addition to a Mathis Gauthier empty net goal.
The Eagles started fast, establishing a two-goal lead before the five-minute mark. First Fullerton cashed in on a rebound from the side of the net, and then Squires slipped it under Leaver just six seconds into a power play. The Sea Dogs received a boost when a Matteo Mann shot from between the circles clipped Ruccia's glove and went into the goal, making it a one goal game at the end of the first period.
Both second period goals belonged to Saint John. Reid Calder tied the game, cashing in on a rebound opportunity at the side of the net. Then the Sea Dog power play came through- Noah Reinhart put a well-placed shot just under the crossbar to give the home side the lead with 3:15 remaining in the middle stanza.
Past the eight-minute mark of the third period, Kency Pierre-Noël gave Saint John their first two goal lead of the night with a nifty individual effort, deking around Etienne Desjardins and then swooping around the crease to beat Ruccia. It kicked off a sequence of three goals in less than a minute.
The Eagles quickly responded, as Tomas Lavoie cut up the right wing, went behind the net, passed in front to Ricard who buried the third Cape Breton goal of the night. But the Sea Dogs responded with traffic in front of the Eagle goal, and Eriks Mateiko pushed an insurance goal over the line and spelled the end of Ruccia's night.
With under three minutes left to play, the Eagles elected to lift Milota for an extra attacker, but could not generate much pressure as Gauthier wired a shot from the opposite end of the ice into the open goal, making it a 6-3 margin and finishing the scoring for the night.
The Eagles' road trip continues tomorrow afternoon as the Eagles make their first visit of the season to Bathurst, to battle the Titan. Game time is 3 PM AST. The game is available for purchase on https://shorturl.at/hoJM4 and you can also hear all the action on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Noah Reinhart (Saint John) 1 goal, 3 assists, +3
2. Vince Élie (Saint John) 2 assists, +2, 11/19 on faceoffs
3. Mathis Gauthier (Saint John) 1 goal, 1 assist, +3
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jacob Newcombe (Illness), Jude Campbell, Lincoln Waugh, Thomas Bégin
Scratches For Saint John: Egan Beveridge (injury), Joseph Ianniello (injury), Jacob Beaulieu (injury), Francis Woods
Final Shots On Goal: 36-24 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/2
Saint John Power Play: 1/3
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2023
- Eagles Visit Titan for Sunday Matinee - Cape Breton Eagles
- Huskies Continue the Road Woes for the Moose - Halifax Mooseheads
- Cats Explode to Bury Sags on Saturday Night - Moncton Wildcats
- Saint John Rallies for Victory as Eagles Fall in Road Trip Opener - Cape Breton Eagles
- Remparts Stun the Islanders Winning 6-5 - Charlottetown Islanders
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