Eagles Open Third Round Tonight In Baie-Comeau
For just the third time in franchise history, and for the first time since 2007, the Cape Breton Eagles are in the third round of the QMJHL playoffs. Tonight they begin their league semi-finals against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, a team that also hasn’t been to the league semi-finals in a decade.
The two clubs have taken different paths this season to arrive in the same destination. The Drakkar led the QMJHL standings from wire to wire, capturing the regular season championship before going through the first two playoff rounds without defeat. By contrast, the Eagles were sitting in sixth in the Eastern Conference before a nine game winning streak at season’s end vaulted them into a home ice position. But after arriving in the playoffs the Eagles have been arguably as dominant in the second season as Baie-Comeau.
Both teams have received exceptional play from star players thus far in the playoffs. Baie-Comeau’s Justin Poirier was the only 50 goal scorer in the QMJHL in 2023-24 and has added ten to his tally thus far in the playoffs. Justin Gill has done his part by collecting ten assists.
For the Eagles, the top line of Cam Squires, Cam MacDonald, and Jacob Newcombe has been dominant, combining for 21 goals. Goaltender Nicolas Ruccia leads the league among goalies still active in the playoffs in both goals against average (2.12) and save percentage (.923).
The Eagles (relocation from Granby) & Drakkar (expansion) both entered the QMJHL in 1997, but it’s just the second time they have faced off in the playoffs. Cape Breton prevailed in a hard fought five game series in round one in 2002.
Here’s what else you need to know ahead of tonight’s opening game!
EAGLES FAN WATCH PARTIES: Steel City Sports Bar & Steakhouse, Boston Pizza, Ziggy’s Pub And Grill, Main Event and Jiggers Lounge, Admiral Lounge And Dining Room
Venue: Centre Henry-Leonard, Baie-Comeau, Qc
Puck drop: 8 PM AST
Television: Eastlink
Web coverage: https://shorturl.at/kMZ34
Radio Coverage: 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
Twitter: @cbehockey
Live stats: https://shorturl.at/cdkxP
CAPE BRETON | BAIE-COMEAU | |
4th Eastern Conference, 39-26-3 (Away: 19-12-3) | REGULAR SEASON RECORD | 1st Eastern Conference, 53-12-3 (Home: 28-4-2) |
8-1 (Away: 4-1) | PLAYOFF RECORD | 8-0 (Home: 4-0) |
216GF/194GA (Playoffs: 42GA/19GA) | GOALS FOR/GOALS AGAINST | 290GF/163GA (Playoffs: 37GF18GA) |
0-2-0 | SEASON SERIES | 2-0-0 |
Cam Squires (New Jersey) | DRAFTED PLAYERS | Angus Booth (LA), Justin Gill (NY Islanders) |
12th, 20.9% (Away: 15th, 17.9%) | POWER PLAY (REGULAR SEASON) | 4th, 25.7% (Home: 3rd, 27.1%) |
1st, 36% (Away: 6th, 30.8%) | POWER PLAY (PLAYOFFS) | 3rd, 34.4% (Home: 6th, 29.4%) |
2nd, 81.4 (Away: 9th, 78.7%) | PENALTY KILL (REGULAR SEASON) | T3rd, 81.2% (Home: T4th, 81.2%) |
4th, 77.8% (Away: 9th, 70.6%) | PENALTY KILL (PLAYOFFS) | 5th, 77.4% (Home: 2nd, 86.7%) |