Eagles Rally for Point in OT Loss Against Isles

October 13, 2022 – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – Cape Breton Eagles News Release

SYDNEY- The Cape Breton Eagles rallied to get a point, but fell short of victory in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Charlottetown Islanders in the home opener of the 2022-23 season.

Following the Eagles team introductions, it felt as though the teams were making up time with the opening frame played at a brisk pace, at one point playing a full 5:53 without a whistle. When the game did find its first goal, it was Charlottetown defenseman Jérémie Biakabutuka, playing his first game since returning from Detroit camp, who opened the scoring by ripping a low shot by Nicolas Ruccia, The visitors doubled their lead in the opening frame on a goal by Michael Horth on the power play.

The Eagles killed off the second Islanders power play of the night in the middle stanza, and not long after thought they were on the board courtesy of Charles Boutin but the goal was overturned after a video review due to the play being offside. Instead, the Eagles found themselves down 3-0 as Horth batted in a rebound by Ruccia.

But the Eagles would solve both Drummondville netminder Francesco Lapenna- and video review- before period’s end. The home side sent out five forwards on the power play and Cam Squires tipped a Samuel Johnson shot by the Isles netminder. After a look to see if the stick was high, it was deemed a good goal, and the new score would hold at 3-1 at the end of the second period.

Special teams determined the next goal of the game as well- this time, a short handed marker. Ivan Ivan found himself deep in the Charlottetown zone and wired the puck across to Luke Patterson who converted to pull the Eagles within one.

With 63 seconds remaining in the period, Ruccia left the net for an extra attacker, and it would not take long for the gamble to pay off. Ivan sent the puck to Johnson, and the 20 year old scored his first goal in Eagle colours with just 40 seconds to play.

Overtime did not last long- just under a minute- and the scoring ended the same way it finished. This time it was a high over the shoulder shot from Biakabutuka, giving the visitors a 4-3 victory.

Lapenna stopped 24 of 27 in the win, while Ruccia turned aside 20 of 24 in the loss.

The Eagles are back on home ice tomorrow night, as the Drummondville Voltigeurs make their only appearance at Centre 200 in 2022-23. Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3eub48V. 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. Luke Patterson (Cape Breton) Short handed goal, 2 shots

2. Ivan Ivan (Cape Breton) 2 assists, 5 shots

3. Michael Horth (Charlottetown) 2 goals, 3 shots

Scratches For Cape Breton: FJ Buteau (upper body injury), Jérémy Langlois (lower body injury), Jordan Côté

Scratches For Charlottetown: Jack Flanagan, Patrick LeBlanc, Beren Simard-Sancy, Jarrett Todd

Final Shots On Goal: 27-24 in favour of Cape Breton

Cape Breton Power Play: 1/4

Charlottetown Power Play: 1/3

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