Eagles Top Moncton In Wild Sunday Afternoon Contest
NOTES FROM THE GAME
– Ivan Ivan’s hat trick lead the way for the Eagles in a 6-4 victory over the Moncton Wildcats on Sunday afternoon in Moncton. Cam Squires also scored twice and Samuel Johnson also found the back of the net for the Eagles. Jacob Newcombe added three assists.
– The Eagles rallied from scores of 2-0 and 3-2, and took a two goal lead with two goals in the opening three minutes of the third period.
– Both Cape Breton’s Cameron Henderson & Moncton’s Anthony Hamel were given game misconducts after a second period skirmish.
– Vincent Labelle recorded a hat trick in the loss for the Wildcats.
Vincent Labelle took control of the early part of the game for the Wildcats, putting the home side out to a 2-0 lead. First the overage forward snapped a rising shot on the power play by Oliver Satny to open the scoring. Then at even strength, he converted a feed from fellow overager Charles Beaudoin who circled the zone to open up a pass for Labelle to finish.
The Eagles got on the board before period’s end with a fortunate bounce. Cam Squires attempted to centre the puck to the slot, and it redirected off Wildcats forward Alexis Daniel and by Jacob Steinman. Before the five minute mark of the second stanza, it was a tie game after Ivan Ivan snapped a shot through Steinman.
The temperature escalated after a hit by Cape Breton’s Cameron Henderson on Trent Ballentyne which drew the attention of Moncton’s Anthony Hamel, with fisticuffs ensuing. Henderson was given a game misconduct for a check to the head along with an unsportsmanlike minor penalty, while Hamel was given a game misconduct for being the aggressor in the fight.
Before the five minute major was up, the Eagles had already killed it off- after Ivan was able to draw a penalty to create a four on four. However, seconds after the Eagles went to the abbreviated power play, Oscar Plandowski produced a highlight reel goal, putting the puck between his legs and by Oliver Satny. However, while the Eagles couldn’t score on the rest of the power play, Johnson would bank home a rebound from an Ivan shot to tie the game before the third period.
When the third period began, Ivan wasn’t going to be denied, as just 52 seconds into the period he scored from the right side of the net to give the Eagles their first lead. And it wouldn’t be long before the lead expanded- before the three minute mark of the period, Squires unloaded a heavy shot past Steinman.
It was Moncton’s turn to try to come back, and with under five minutes to go, Labelle completed his hat trick after Yoan Loshing circled the net and threw it in front for Labelle to make it a one goal game. With just over two minutes to play, the Cats lifted Steinman for an extra attacker. However, Ivan drew another penalty, this time on Plandowski, after Ivan hustled down the ice to beat an icing call.
The Eagles forward finished the night’s scoring and secured the victory for his team as he completed the hat trick with 68 seconds to play, giving Cape Breton a fifth win over Moncton this season.
Satny picked up the win, stopping 27 of 31 shots. Steinman took the loss, allowing six goals on 30 shots.
The Eagles finish their three game Maritime swing on Tuesday in Bathurst as they visit the Titan at 7 PM. The game is available for purchase online at https://bit.ly/3DqA7mq You can also hear all the action beginning with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 6:30 PM on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Vincent Labelle (Moncton) 3 goals, +2
2. Cam Squires (Cape Breton) 2 goals, 1 assist, 6 shots
3. Ivan Ivan (Cape Breton) 3 goals, 1 assist
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jude Campbell, Owen Arnold
Scratches For Moncton: Etienne Morin (injury), Cole Bishop, Alex Mercier (injury/illness)
Final Shots On Goal: 31-30 in favour of Moncton
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/4
Moncton Power Play: 1/4
