Eagles Complete Perfect Road Trip With Win In Moncton
NOTES FROM THE GAME
– Etienne Desjardins’ first career goal of the season opened the scoring for the Eagles and they didn’t look back in a 3-1 victory over the Moncton Wildcats. The victory pushed the Eagles league long winning streak to seven games, and completed a 3-0 road trip through New Brunswick.
– Antoine Roy added a goal & assist for the Eagles, and Luke Patterson also scored in the win. Etienne Morin broke the shutout with four seconds to play.
– Nicolas Ruccia picked up the win, stopping 27 of 28 shots while Keegan Warren turned aside 32 of 35 in the loss.
Desjardins goal was a timely one, giving the Eagles the first lead of the game, and the only goal of the opening 40 minutes. It came at the 6:17 mark of the opening frame, as he jumped into the play on the left wing, converting a pass from Roy to beat Warren for the opening goal.
The Desjardins goal came at even strength- both teams had a single power play in the opening period and failed to score, and the Eagles and Wildcats again came up empty on their lone power play attempt in the second stanza.
The visiting side asserted control in the third period, with Roy converting on a Callum Aucoin pass on a two on one just past the five minute mark. Before the halfway mark of the frame, the lead grew again- Conor Shortall drove the net from the left wing, putting the puck on goal before Patterson put home the rebound.
With nine seconds left, Zach Biggar was whistled for a penalty, Morin blasted a shot from the blueline by Ruccia, spoiling a shutout that would have set a new Eagles team record for most shutouts in a season. (Currently Ruccia is tied with Martin Houle, who collected six shutouts in 2004-05.)
The Eagles will finish off the regular season with a pair of games in Charlottetown next weekend, starting on Friday night. Puck drop is at 7 PM. The game is available for purchase on https://shorturl.at/iMWZ0 and 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) 27 saves on 28 shots
2. Luke Patterson (Cape Breton) 1 goal, +2
3. Keegan Warren (Moncton) 32 saves on 35 shots
Scratches For Cape Breton: Lucas Romeo (lower body injury), Jude Campbell (injury), Noah Larochelle,
Scratches For Moncton: Alex Mercier (injury), Connor Trenholm (injury), Ryan Hackett
Final Shots On Goal: 35-28 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/2
Moncton Power Play: 1/3