Wildcats Edge Eagles As Cape Breton Begins Homestand
NOTES FROM THE GAME
– Yoan Loshing scored in the first and second periods to lead the Moncton Wildcats to a 2-1 victory over the Cape Breton Eagles Saturday night in Sydney.
– Conor Shortall scored the lone marker for the Eagles in the third period to halve the Moncton lead, but the Eagles were unable to get any closer.
– The goaltenders stood tall, as Moncton’s Jacob Steinman stopped 28 of 29 in the win while Nicolas Ruccia turned aside 25 of 27 in defeat.
Big chances were hard to come by in the opening frame, but both teams did have two power play opportunities. Yoan Loshing cashed in on a rebound on the second Moncton power play to give his team a 1-0 lead they’d take to the first intermission.
Despite the Eagles outshooting the Wildcats in the second period, Loshing was again the only scorer in the middle stanza. The goal came during a full two minute four on four as Loshing used the open space to blast a heavy shot over Ruccia just under the crossbar.
In the early part of the third period, the Wildcats bottled up the middle of the ice, limiting the Eagles’ chances. However, the breakthrough came from the Eagles defense core, when Shortall put a shot in the top corner over Steinman. With just over a minute remaining, the Eagles lifted Ruccia for an extra attacker, swarmed the Moncton goal but couldn’t come any closer and the score finished 2-1 for the Wildcats.
The Eagles are back on home ice tomorrow afternoon as the Charlottetown Islanders make their first visit to Centre 200! Puck drop is at 3 PM. It’s Family Day at the Nest- fans can purchase a $5 youth ticket with the purchase an adult ticket. Tickets can be purchased at https://shorturl.at/boJKU. They are also available for purchase in person at the Centre 200 box office and by the phone during box office hours at 902-564-2200
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Yoan Loshing (Moncton) 2 goals, +1, 4 shots
2. Conor Shortall (Cape Breton) 1 goal, +1, 5 shots
3. Olivier Houde (Cape Breton) 1 assist, +1, 5 shots
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jacob Newcombe (illness), Lincoln Waugh, Jude Campbell, Callum Aucoin
Scratches For Moncton: Connor Trenholm (suspension), Adam Fortier-Gendron (injury), Riley Sampson
