Eagles Rally For Wild Overtime Victory Over Océanic
A late game tying goal and a penalty shot in overtime helped push the Screaming Eagles to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Rimouski Océanic.
The game produced an electrifying finish but it was a tentative start as for the first eight minutes the two teams combined for just four shots. Play would open up in the latter half of the period, though, and it was the Eagles that would strike first. It would be former Océanic player Wilson Forest getting the opening salvo, converting on a one timer on a drop pass from Isiah Campbell.
The second period would be the Océanic’s turn to hit the scoresheet. Jimmy Huntington moved up the right wing and found an open man in front of the goal as Olivier Garneau beat Kevin Mandolese to tie the game.
Period three would prove to more eventful and not just with the goal scoring. In the opening minute of the period there would be fisticuffs as 20 year olds Declan Smith of Cape Breton and Huntington of Rimouski dropped the gloves. Both players would be given game misconducts as it was deemed to be a staged fight.
Rimouski would pull ahead before the three minute mark as Anthony Gagnon converted a pass from Charle-Edouard D’Astous, making it a 2-1 game. Just 58 seconds later, though, Mathias Laferrière would float a shot from above the right faceoff circle to handcuff Colten Ellis and tie the game.
Both teams had one more goal- and one more fight- left in them prior to the end of regulation. With just under five minutes to play it was Eagles defenseman Kyle Havlena tussling with Parker Bowman.
In a game that saw very little in terms of special teams play, Rimouski would draw their first full power play in the final four minutes of the third period (the teams had played four on four for 83 seconds early in the second period.)
Heading into the night the Océanic power play was connecting at 50% on the road, but the Eagles were able to hold them off for the first 1:54 on this occasion. However Garneau would take advantage of a fortunate bounce off the end glass, then off Mandolese, and potted a rebound in front of the goal to put Rimouski ahead.
The goal was scored with 2:10 remaining. Eagles coach Marc-André Dumont immediately called a timeout and pulled Mandolese for a sixth attacker. Playing with six skaters for a full two minutes and seeing a puck just go by the empty goal on at least one occasion, the home team would leave it late before tying the game.
With ten seconds to play Leon Gawanke fired a shot on goal and with traffic plentiful in front of the net, Gabriel Proulx would tip the shot by Ellis and the game headed for overtime.
The visitors would carry the early stages of the extra session but the Eagles would get a prime opportunity when MItchell Balmas came in on a late developing breakaway. The Eagles forward was taken down by Gagnon and a penalty shot was awarded.
Balmas skated to his left and patiently waited, taking advantage of some space when Ellis dropped to his knees, and put the game winning goal in the top part of the Rimouski net to send the fans at Centre 200 home happy.
Mandolese stopped 19 of 22 shots in the win, while Ellis allowed four goals on 26 shots in the loss.
The Screaming Eagles will now head back out on the road for a two game set against the Saint John Sea Dogs . Puck drop on Saturday is at 7 PM Atlantic time. You can catch all the action beginning with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 6:30 on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Mitchell Balmas (Cape Breton) game winning goal, assist
2. Gabriel Proulx (Cape Breton) game tying goal
3. Olivier Garneau (Rimouski) 2 goals
Scratches For Cape Breton: Liam Kidney, Félix Lafrance
Scratches For Rimouski: Radim Salda (paperwork issue), Jacob Bernard, Ludovic Soucy, Jordan Spadafore
Final Shots On Goal: 27-22 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/3
Rimouski Power Play: 1/2
