Eagles Set For Second Game In Bathurst
It’s a quick turnaround for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and the Bathurst Titan as the teams play the backend of a two game set in New Brunswick on Saturday night.
Round one of the weekend set went to the Titan who scored a 6-3 victory in the opening game of the two game set. Three goals in a span of 2:11 in the early part of the second period made the difference for Bathurst. Dawson Thede led the Titan attack with a four point night. Antoine Morand scored the game winning goal, playing on a line with German Rubtsov who was making his debut for Bathurst after being acquired from Chicoutimi earlier in the week.
Last night saw the Titan gain the services of Rubtsov, and tonight they’ll regain their captain Jeffrey Truhon-Viel. Viel was given a four game suspension for a check to the head in a game against Val-d’Or. This season he has 12 points in 14 games, and is coming off a a 35 goal season last year.
Bathurst is now unbeaten in their last four games in regulation, and with the victory they snapped a similar streak for Cape Breton over six games. Tonight’s game is the fourth meeting of the season between the two sides, last night’s being the first that was won by Bathurst and the first of the three that didn’t require an extra session. Heading into tonight’s contest, the teams are tied for eighth in the QMJHL- the Titan with a record of 8-5-5 and Cape Breton with a record of 10-7-1.
Last night’s game featured minimal special teams, with just four combined power plays combined- but three power play goals, with Bathurst going 2 for 3 and Cape Breton scoring on their lone power play. Perhaps more penalties would benefit the Screaming Eagles, as while the Titan have a strong power play at 25%, Cape Breton owns the circuit’s top power play at 28.6%.
Drake Batherson leads the QMJHL with 17 goals and 29 points, but has been pointless in his last two games. He could receive a boost from the return of Ryan Francis, who had ten points in six games prior to taking a rest day on Friday night. The Eagles have received contributions from new captain Phélix Martineau who had recorded two points last night and has 7 points over his last 5 games.
It’s a 7 PM start for tonight’s game the KC Irving Centre. You can catch all action on 1270 CJCB AM, beginning with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil. Go Eagles Go!
