Cape Breton win in Quebec | Pro Hockey News

Cape Breton defenseman Leon Gawanke (9) trying to stop Quebec forward photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Losing their only confrontation in Cape Breton the Screaming Eagles came in Quebec in a six games in nine days road trip and came out from Quebec with two more points in the standing registering a 5-2 win. Beginning the year in Quebec traded at the last trading period in the QMJHL, defenseman Ross MacDougall scores twice coming to haunt his former team.

“When I was traded I put a circle on my calendar, I was ready for this one and it is great to win.” Quebec former defenseman Ross MacDougall said after the game.

“No to be honest I had the flu for the past two days so I was just happy to be able to play so I just took advantage of the moment, so no I wasn’t too nervous,” answered MacDougall.

“We took the plane last Thursday to come to Montreal, we took the bus from Montreal to go to Sherbrooke, after our game in Rouyn-Noranda, we took the bus to go to Ottawa and took the plane to go back. We have the plane to go and to be back home. Last year we made five trip in Quebec so each time we come to Quebec it is twenty hours of bus to go to different town all over Quebec. It is ten hours to go to Riviere du Loup and to do the rest of Quebec.” Explained Cape Breton head coach Marc-Andre Dumont.

“This year we cut it to three trips so technically we have fifty less hours of bus ride so for us it is huge difference.” Continued Screaming Eagle head coach Dumont. “It is six games in nine days it is very demanding tonight we began a four-in-five nights, we know tomorrow opponent is one of the top in the league so it is a really big challenge.

Cape Breton young goaltender Kevin Mandolese trying to deflect the puck in corner photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

“Honestly when our players played in front of big crowd it was like they are very energize, they are excited to play in front of big crowd whether if it is in Halifax, Saint John even at home when we played in front of four or fifth thousand people. We have lots of leader to make sure the energy from the crowd to motive our players instead of being intimidated. We did our job, we work hard, I like to way we worked tonight in first two periods, we have had lots of energy we have had tough time to take the lead. Guys found a way to be energized.”

Quebec broke the ice for the 29th time in 55 games after first four minutes without hearing a whistle. Philipp Kurashev redirect a shot from teammates Mathieu Ayotte beating Cape Breton goaltender Kevin Mandolese low on glove side at 4:40 on Quebec first shot. For Ayotte it was his 19 points in 15 games.

Cape Breton tied the score less than five minutes later, as young 16-year old Adam McCormick, scored his fifth of the year on pass from former Quebec center Massimo Carozza. McCormick goal came at 9:36.

Coming to defense of teammate following a check from Quebec defenseman Raphael Maheux Sacha Roy did not get the best in his fight against Quebec defenseman Maheux.

The Eagles led 11-3 in shots on goal in opening period. Besides their goal scored best Screaming Eagles scoring opportunity came from the stick of Drake Batherson on breakaway but Quebec goaltender Evgeny Kiselev close the door.

Quebec center Philipp Kurashev (96) trying to make a play with the puck photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

After Cape Breton had several chances to break the tie, Quebec regained the lead taking advantage of their second power play opportunities. Olivier Garneau wrist shot has been partially been saved by Screaming Eagles netminder but the strength of Garneau wrist shot beat Mandelese at 4:49.

Like they did on first occasion Cape Breton answered Quebec goal this time less than three minutes later. Traded to Cape Breton for second and third round selection in QMJHL 2017 entry draft former Quebec defenseman Toss MacDougall beat Evgeny Kiselev top corner at 7:01.

Dominating 32-12 in shots on goal after forty minutes of play Cape Breton took control on the main scoreboard with three unanswered goals. Already registering visitors second goal former Quebec defenseman Ross MacDougall scored Cape Breton third goal his second in the game aunting his former teammates. His wrist shot beat Kiselev on his left side at 6:43.

Trailing by one with less than two minutes remaining Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher pulled his staring netminder playing six-on-five. Unfortunately for the fans in Videotron Center visiting team scored twice in less than 30 seconds as Giovani Fiore (18:50) and Peyton Hoyt (19:36) scoring both in an empty net.

“Gino (Evgeny Kiselev) did what he did for longtime keeping us into the game, when Callum Booth left we want to know if we have a goaltender who can keep us in the game and “Gino” did it night after night,” answered Quebec head coach Philippe Boucher about Cape Breton domination in shots on goal.

“Giving up more shot than we use to have I just hope we will find a way to have more shots, we are little bit limited offensively presently so we have to expect it a bit,” continue Boucher.

Quebec left winger Yanick Turcotte in action photo courtesy of Jonathan L’Heureux of infosportquebec

“But we fought, we were there, we have had two post in third period, we missed little bit of executions, if we have had little more executions we might give us more chances. We played better to begin the third, we have a reason why we came back four or five times in third period this year, in third we have tendency to believe in our way to come from behind. We didn’t really executed in third that is why we weren’t successful.”

Quebec next game will be next Friday night in Drummondville facing the Voltigeurs.

Two other games were on QMJHL schedule on Tuesday night.

Saint John 2 vs. Charlottetown 1

Blainville-Boisbriand 4 vs Baie-Comeau 3 (overtime)

Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com