Voltigeurs Top Eagles to Take Series Lead
Published on March 26, 2018 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles vs. the Drummondville Voltigeurs
(Cape Breton Eagles, Credit: Mike Sullvan)
SYDNEY- The Drummondville Voltigeurs have taken back home ice advantage against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles with a 6-3 victory at Centre 200 on Monday.
After an opening two games that featured few penalties compared to the other playoff series in the league, tensions escalated quickly as Leon Gawanke took exception to a hit on Phélix Martineau by Brandon Skubel. Skubel landed most of the shots in a fight that took place just 39 seconds into the game.
Shortly after the fighting majors were replaced by actual special teams play as Joe Veleno was sent off for holding, and the Screaming Eagles would connect with their first power play goal of the series. Adam McCormick ripped a shot through a set Isiah Campbell screen and for the first time in the series Cape Breton scored first.
But before period's end the home team would be in its own penalty trouble as with Egor Sokolov already in the box for hooking, Noah Laaouan sent the puck over the glass and was given a delay of game minor. The Voltigeurs were able to cash in on the 26 second 5 on 3 as Nicolas Guay hammered home a shot past Kevin Mandolese to tie the game. The Eagles would kill off the rest of the Laaounan minor, and the two sides were even at period's end.
Just as was the case in the opening period, the Eagles were able to grab the lead. It was Shaun Miller putting the home club ahead. Isiah Campell attempted a wrap around on Olivier Rodrigue and Miller was able to put the loose puck over the goal line.
As was the case in the opening 20 minutes the Voltigeurs were able to counter. Nicolas Beaudin was able to find a clear path to the top of the left circle and would blast a shot by Mandolese to even the game again. This time the Volts wouldn't stop at tying the game and took control prior to the end of the middle stanza. The power play would be key in putting Drummondville in front. The second man advantage marker came after a point shot from Xavier Bernard which would be redirected by a Cédric Desruisseaux tip. The next goal would not be on the power play, but coming just seconds after a penalty had elapsed. Joe Veleno would settle down a bouncing puck and flung it past Mandolese to make it a 4-2 contest.
Just ten seconds after the Veleno goal, Connor Bramwell would make it 5-2. Yvan Mongo won an offensive zone faceoff for Drummondville and pushed the puck to Bramwell who lit the red light for the final goal of the period. Mandolese would finish the period but would be replaced by Kyle Jessiman in the third period.
The Eagles were unable to get any closer although the teams traded goals in period three. Pavel Koltygin would be the sixth goal scorer of the night for Drummondville, converting a cross ice pass to make it 6-2. Ty Fournier would conclude the evening's scoring at the 16:50 mark. The Eagles had a chance to cut the lead even further with a late power play but Rodrigue wouldn't allow any more goals and the game finished 6-3.
Rodrigue picked up the win, stopping 21 of 24 shots. Mandolese took the loss, allowing five goals on 29 shots. Jessiman stopped four of five shots in relief.
The teams will now get a day off before the series resumes on Wednesday night. Puck drop is 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the Centre 200 box office, by phone at 902-564-2200 or online at https://tickets.capebreton.ca/Online/default.asp
THREE STARS OF THE GAME 1. Nicolas Beaudin (Drummondville) 2. Yvan Mongo (Drummondville) 3 assists, 3. Phélix Martineau (Cape Breton) 1 assist, 2 shots
Scratches For Cape Breton: Sacha Roy, Ian Smallwood, Kyle McGrath
Scratches For Drummondville: Thomas Pelletier, Guillaume Desmarais, Morgan Adams-Moisan (injury)
Final Shots On Goal: 34-24 in favour of Drummondville
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/4
Drummondville Power Play: 2/7
Images from this story
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2018
- Voltigeurs Top Eagles to Take Series Lead - Cape Breton Eagles
- QMJHL Names Players of the Month - QMJHL
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