Eagles Open Final Regular Season Weekend With Victory Over Sea Dogs
SYDNEY- The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles clinched 12th spot in the QMJHL standings on Friday night with a 3-2 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Saint John would strike first, but the Screaming Eagles would take control of the game prior to the ending of the first period. Luke Wilson opened the scoring just prior to the halfway mark of the first frame. Wilson’s goal came shortly after he finished serving a penalty. As the Sea Dogs moved the puck around, Kyle Havlena was knocked out of the play after blocking a shot. Essentially having a 5 on 4, Cole Reginato spun around in the crease and flipped it to the opposite side of Kevin Mandolese and the Sea Dogs went up 1-0.
The scorers’ sheet would next be used for a fight as Peyton Hoyt of the Eagles and Brendan O’Reilly would both be sent off. Hoyt was given a game misconduct for attempting to pull O’Reilly’s helmet off.
Despite losing Hoyt, the fight may have sparked the Eagles as just ten seconds later it was a tie game. Brooklyn Kalmikov came up the left wing and fired a shot on Tommy DaSilva. Phélix Martineau and Kalmikov both took a stab at the rebound and Martineau connected to tie the game.
Kalmikov wouldn’t have to wait long to light the red light himself, as prior to period’s end he would convert a pass from Egor Sokolov to put the Eagles ahead 2-1. It was Kalmikov’s 17th goal of the season, setting a new Cape Breton record for most goals by a 16 year old record (breaking Steve Dixon’s record from the 2001-02 season.)
There would be no scoring in the second period despite special team opportunities. The Eagles would have a 5 on 3 power play for 1:19 and carry the play territorially but Saint John would kill the penalities off. The final portion of the third period would see Saint John earn their only power play of the game, but they were also unable to score.
At the 5:37 mark of the third period, Isiah Campell would score a key insurance goal for the home side. Campbell jammed in a rebound following a Havlena wrap around. The goal came on DaSilva, the player Campbell was traded for earlier this season.
The Sea Dogs put on the pressure as Wilson scored his second of the game at the 16:41 mark, tipping a shot in front of the goal. In the final two minutes DaSilva was lifted for an extra attacker but Saint John couldn’t find an equalizer. Mandolese would take a shot at the open goal but couldn’t hit the empty net. Martineau was able to fire the puck in the open cage, just after time elapsed. The goal wouldn’t count but the Eagles picked up the 3-2 victory.
Mandolese picked up the win, stopping 21 of 23 shots. DaSilva stopped 38 of 41 in the loss.
Assistant coach Jeff Cowan ran the Saint John bench as Sea Dogs head coach Josh Dixon was serving the second game of a two game suspension for inappropriate behaviour. Eagles defenseman Ross MacDougall also missed the contest, serving the first of a two game suspension for boarding.
The 2017-18 regular season comes to an end Saturday afternoon as the Screaming Eagles and Sea Dogs tangle once again in the annual Irish Jersey night. The Eagles will wear special green jerseys in support of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation. The jerseys will be raffled off following the game, and fans can purchase tickets for $5 during the game. Puck drop is at 4 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
DAIRY QUEEN THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Brooklyn Kalmikov (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 1 assist, +1
2. Phélix Martineau (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 1 assist, 7 shots
3. Luke Wilson (Saint John) 2 goals, +2
Scratches For Cape Breton: Ross MacDougall (suspension), Adam McCormick, Tyler Hylland (upper body injury)
Scratches For Saint John: Alex D’Orio (injury), Matthew Williams (injury), Robbie Burt, Nicholas Deakin-Poot (injury), Matt Green (injury), Yohan Plamondon (injury), Landon Quinney (injury)
Final Shots On Goal: 41-23 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/3
Saint John Power Play: 0/1
