Screaming Eagles Open Final Weekend On Fan Appreciation Night
The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles begin the final weekend of the regular season this evening as they host the Saint John Sea Dogs. It’s the first of two consecutive meetings between the clubs to finish the regular season. It will mark the end of the year for the Sea Dogs as they have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Heading into this evening’s game the Screaming Eagles sit in 12th place, while the Sea Dogs are in a tie for 17th place with Shawinigan. The Eagles have a record of 30-28-8 with a record of 16-10-6 at home. The Dogs are 14-41-11, playing 6-22-4 on the road. This season Cape Breton has won five of seven meetings between the teams, with three of those victories coming in overtime. Saint John has won two of the three games at Centre 200, with the Eagles winning the most recent encounter in Sydney by a count of 3-2 in overtime on January 31st.
This weekend’s set of games will determine whether the Screaming Eagles place 12th or 13th in the final QMJHL standings. In order for the Eagles to land in 13th place, the Eagles would have lose both games against Saint John in regulation, and see Baie-Comeau win its pair of games this weekend against Victoriaville. Should Cape Breton finish 13th, the Eagles would play the 4th seeded team which will be either Halifax, Bathurst, Rimouski, or Drummondville. Currently Halifax holds the fourth playoff seed.
Statistically the more likely scenario is for Cape Breton to finish 12th, in which case the Eagles would match up with the 5th seed. Currently that position is held by Drummondville. Other possibilities to finish 5th include Halifax, Victoriaville, Rimouski or Québec.
Heading into this evening’s game both the Screaming Eagles and Sea Dogs will be missing personnel from their team due to suspension. Saint John head coach Josh Dixon will be serving the second of a two game suspension for inappropriate behaviour. Cape Breton blueliner Ross MacDougall will be missing both games of the weekend set as he has been given a two game suspension for boarding.
Going into the last weekend of the regular season the Eagles are led in scoring by 20 year old captain Phélix Martineau who has 60 points in 66 games. Martineau was named team MVP this past Monday at the annual Screaming Eagles awards banquet. Leading the way for Saint John is import Ostap Safin who has 58 points in 60 games. Earlier this month the Czech forward signed an entry level contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night at Centre 200, featuring roll back prices on tickets and concessions. Friday’s game will also be Nurse Appreciation Night at the Nest, with nurses receiving special ticket rates and participating in the ceremonial puck drop.
Tonight’s contest goes at 7 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 Go Eagles Go!
