Huskies Halt Eagles’ Rally for Win at Centre 200
October 20, 2022 – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – Cape Breton Eagles News Release
SYDNEY- The Cape Breton Eagles came back from 3-0 but fell short of victory in a 5-3 defeat to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Thursday night in Sydney.
Despite the final tally, the scorekeepers weren’t busy in the opening period- the first stanza was played entirely 5 on 5 and there was just one goal to report. However, it was a highlight reel one, as a beautiful individual effort and a series of nifty dekes from Bill Zonnon put the vistors ahead.
Zonnon was at it again before the five minute mark of the second period, finishing a pass from behind the net to make it 2-0. 62 seconds after the goal, Eagles goaltender Oliver Satny got a piece of a shot from Daniil Bourash but couldn’t stop it from going over the line and Rouyn-Noranda led 3-0.
Satny rebounded from the goal, and he had to, as the game saw its first power play at the 9:04 mark of the second period. Right after the Eagles finished killing off a minor to Ivan Ivan, Luke Patterson was sent to the box. The home side did kill off all four minutes and it remained 3-0.
The next goal was crucial as with just over four minutes left in the middle frame former Huskie Jordan Côté sent the puck high over Thomas Couture to make it 3-1. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they would also lose the services of defenseman Tomas Laovie in the second period as he left and didn’t return. (Linseman Dave Ivey also had to leave the game in the second period after being hit by a puck, but he would return before period’s end.)
The rally continued in the third as the Eagles earned their first man advantage late in the second period, carrying over to the third. The Huskies technically did kill off the penalty, but just after it elapsed, William Shields found Olivier Houde at the side of the net and he roofed it for this first goal as Eagle.
Before the halfway mark, the home team found the tying goal. Some great work by Charles Boutin set up Zachary Gravel, who ripped the tying goal by Couture with over ten minutes to play.
The tie game would only last four minutes- a quick offensive zone faceoff win by Tristan Allard resulted in a one timer to Bourash, who powered a shot by Satny to put the visitors in front. In the final two minutes, Eagles coach Jon Goyens would lift Satny for an extra attacker, but while the Eagles had chances the tying goal was not to be found. Anthony Turcotte hit the empty net and the Huskies skated off with a 5-3 victory.
Couture picked up the win, stopping 35 of 38 shots. Satny took the loss, stopping 28 of 32 in addition to the empty net goal.
Prior to the game, the Eagles recalled forward Carter McCluskey and defenseman Ryan Hayes. Hayes was the last scratch prior to game time, while McCluskey registered a shot on goal and a -1 rating.
The Eagles continue their home stand Saturday night against the Val-d’Or Foreurs, as it’s Pink At the Rink at the Nest! It’s also the only visit the Foreurs will make to Centre 200 this season. Tickets can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3gfPmWE. 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. Zachary Gravel (Cape Breton) 1 goal, 8 shots
2. Bill Zonnon (Rouyn-Noranda) 2 goals, 5 shots
3. Jordan Côté (Cape Breton) first goal as Eagle
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jérémy Langlois (lower body injury), FJ Buteau (upper body injury), Angelo Fullerton, Gio DiMattia
Scratches For Rouyn-Noranda: Félix Allard, Olivier Dubois, Samuel Rousseau
Final Shots On Goal: 38-33 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/3
Rouyn-Noranda Power Play: 0/2
• Discuss this story on the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
