Eagles Open Second Round With Win In Front Of Record Breaking Crowd
NOTES FROM THE GAME
– Nicolas Ruccia stood tall on his 20th birthday, and the Cape Breton Eagles special teams had a perfect night in a 4-0 victory over the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.
– Charles-Antoine Lavallée & Jacob Newcombe each scored on the man advantage, while Tomas Cibulka & Lucas Romeo added even strength tallies. CIbulka and Cole Burbidge produced two point nights in the win.
– Ruccia stopped 25 shots for his first career playoff shutout, while Rémi Delafontaine stopped 30 of 34 in the loss.
– Friday’s game was the most attended game in Cape Breton Eagles history, with 4922 fans watching. Tickets for game two of the series on Saturday have also been sold out.
The Eagles came out fast, outshooting the Sags 6-0 to start the game. The momentum was stalled due to back to back Chicoutimi power plays, including a three second five on three, but the Eagles killed it off. The only goal in the opening period came when the Eagles converted on their first power play- Lavallée blasting a onetimer by Delafontaine to make it 1-0.
After going 0/3 on the power play in the opening period, Chicoutimi had another opportunity with the man advantage early in the second period when Romeo was sent off for roughing. But the penalty was killed due to an interference call against Chicoutimi’s Alexis Morin, and after the four on four sequence, the Eagles added to the lead. Newcombe cut out from the corner to slip a backhand by Delafontaine and the Eagles lead was doubled.
Cibulka’s goal was the first to come at even strength. He received a pass from Burbidge from the sideboards, deked on Delafontaine who made the initial save. However, the puck lied in the paint and Cibulka was able to jab it over the goal line to add to the Eagles lead. Cape Breton held the lead after killing off a double minor to Romeo for high sticking later in the period.
The Eagles limited Chicoutimi’s chances in the third period, holding them to just seven shots, and a give and go between Antoine Roy & Romeo finished the scoring. After Romeo’s physical play opened up space for Roy, he dished the puck back to Romeo to further pad the Eagles lead.
Saturday night’s game against Chicoutimi will be played in front of another sold out crowd! Fans who don’t have tickets and still want to follow tomorrow’s game can watch live on Eastlink TV or on CHL TV at https://shorturl.at/qrvN2. You can also hear all the action on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Nicolas Ruccia (Cape Breton) 25 saves on 25 shots
2. Tomas Cibulka (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 1 assist
3. Charles-Antoine Lavallée (Cape Breton) game winning goal
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jude Campbell (injury), Noah Larochelle (injury), Etienne Dejsardins
Scratches For Chicoutimi: Loïc Usereau (illness), Jérémy D’Astous, Samuel Vachon
Cape Breton Power Play: 2/2
Chicoutimi Power Play: 0/7
