Eagles Top Mooseheads In Halifax
NOTES FROM THE GAME
– Olivier Houde’s goal in the third period completed the comeback as the Eagles topped the Halifax Mooseheads 2-1. Ivan Ivan also scored for the Eagles while Markus Vidicek scored for Halifax.
– With the win, the Eagles are on a four game winning streak, and can finish no lower than seventh in the Eastern Conference. It was the Eagles first win in five tries in Halifax this season, and the Eagles win also snapped a five game win streak for Halifax.
– The two goaltenders shone, with Nicolas Ruccia stopping 30 of 31 shots in the win while Mathis Rousseau stopped 22 of 24 shots in the loss.
High end scoring chances were hard to come by in the opening period, and no one was able to to find the back of the net. Halifax blueliner Jake Furlong ripped a shot off the iron, while Cape Breton’s Angelo Fullerton was denied on a two on one scoring chance.
Early in the middle stanza, Halifax struck first when a Vidicek shot went through a screen by Ruccia. The goal was neutralized on an individual effort from Ivan Ivan, who split the defense on the right wing, swept around the crease and put it over Rousseau to tie the game. The Eagles weren’t able to find a go ahead goal during a 44 second five on three near the end of the period.
The Eagles second line would provide the breakthrough at the 10:48 mark of the third period. Angelo Fullerton, moved to the second line after Charles Boutin was made a late scratch due to injury, put the puck on goal and it bounced into the open air- Houde used his baseball instincts and knocked it by Rousseau to put the Eagles in the lead. After a brief video review the goal was upheld and the Eagles took the lead.
In the final five minutes, the Mooseheads had multiple chances with an extra man- first the Eagles killed off a Jacob Newcombe minor, and then in the final two minutes Rousseau was lifted for an extra attacker. Halfiax failed to score both 5 on 4 and 6 on 5 and the Eagles skated away with a critical win.
The Eagles will now visit the Moncton Wildcats for the final game of the 2022-23 QMJHL regular season. Puck drop is 4 PM Atlantic time. The game is available for purchase online at https://bit.ly/3LTeVdV. 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. Nicolas Ruccia (Cape Breton) 30 saves on 31 shots
2. Mathis Rousseau (Halifax) 22 saves on 24 shots
3. Markus Vidicek (Halifax) 1 goal, 3 shots, +1
Scratches For Cape Breton: Trevor Thurston (suspension)
Scratches For Halifax: Jake Todd, Cameron Whynot
Final Shots On Goal: 31-24 in favour of Halifax
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/3
Halifax Power Play: 0/3
