Phoenix Clip Eagles 6-4 on Friday Night in Sherbrooke
October 28, 2022 – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) – Cape Breton Eagles News Release
SHERBROOKE- The second period was the difference in the Cape Breton Eagles’ 6-4 loss in Sherbrooke against the league leading Phoenix.
The visitors had to be thrilled with the opening 20 minutes, as the pair of 16 year old forwards give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. First it was William Shields, converting a pass from Samuel Johnson who threaded it through the legs of defenseman Joe Flemming. Then Thomas Desruisseaux scored the first of his QMJHL career- Julien Hébert banked a shot off the end boards, and Desruisseaux capitalized on the rebound as it come out the other side. The Eagles held the 2-0 lead after the opening period, killing off a 1:16 long five on three late in the period- the best chance coming for Sherbrooke when Josh Roy rung a shot off the post.
The Eagles were unable to convert on their own power play late in the second period, and then it would be Sherbrooke’s opportunity to work with the man advantage. Owen Arnold was given a double minor for high sticking, and late in the first half of the penalty Cole Huckins put a well placed shot over Nicolas Ruccia. Before the Eagles could kill the second penalty, another minor to Jérémy Langlois created a five on three, and Sherbrooke’s Israël Mianscum scored as the penalty was expiring.
Less than a minute later, the home side scored even strength for their first lead of the game- Maxime Côté scored his first career goal, finishing a pass from Tyson HInds that came from behind the net. But then it was time for the Eagles to score on the power play, as Zachary Gravel hammered a one timer from Johnson past Jakob Robillard.
The rest of the period belonged to the home side. The tie game lasted only 31 seconds as Mianscum found the net for a second time to make it 4-3. Then Milo Roelens finished a pass from Anthony Munroe-Boucher to give Sherbrooke their first two goal lead of the night.
Munroe-Boucher earned himself a ten minute misconduct in the aftermath of the play, but it wasn’t the only misconduct of the period. Just eight seconds later Côté and Cape Breton’s Carter McCluskey got into a spirited scrap, exchanging right hands. Sherbrooke defenseman Joe Flemming was also given a ten minute misconduct for not clearing the scene of the fight.
There was one more adjustment to be made to the scoresheet in the middle period, as the Phoenix swarmed the net and Mianscum flipped the loose puck by Ruccia to give his club a 6-3 lead with just 13 seconds remaining in the middle stanza.
The final period was much calmer on the shot clock, with just 15 combined shots, but the Eagles had opportunities to get back in the game, including a five on three advantage. Captain Jérémy Langlois blasted a puck by Robillard and the Eagles were within two while still having 48 seconds left on the power play.
Sherbrooke was able to kill off the penalty, and faced a numerical advantage again when Nicolas Ruccia left the net for an extra attacker with 97 seconds to play. The Eagles had possession in the Sherbrooke zone but were unable to get any closer and it was 6-4 Sherbrooke victory.
The Eagles finish their road trip with a visit to Quebec City to take on Patrick Roy and the Remparts. Puck drop is 5 PM Atlantic time. The game is available for purchase online at https://bit.ly/3FqtT80 You can also hear all the action beginning with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 4:30 PM on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Israël Mianscum (Sherbrooke) 3 goals, 1 assists
2. Maxime Côté (Sherbrooke) First career goal
3. Samuel Johnson (Cape Breton) 3 assists
Scratches For Cape Breton: FJ Buteau (upper body injury), Luke Patterson (upper body injury), Justin Bergeron (personal) Gio DiMattia, Jordan Côté
Scratches For Sherbrooke: Hugo Primeau (injury), Éloi Bourdeau
Final Shots On Goal: 47-21 in favour of Sherbrooke
Cape Breton Power Play: 2/5
Sherbrooke Power Play: 2/7
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