The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles got this weekend's road trip off to a good start with a 4-2 win over the Shawinigan Cataractes. The home team put up a spirited effort in their attempt to stop a five-game losing streak, and Cape Breton had to bear down and work for what some people probably assumed would be an easy two points.
Chris Culligan and Robert Slaney combined to create the eventual game-winning goal, which broke a 2-2 tie about midway through the third period. They skated in on a two-on-one, Culligan made a great late pass over to Slaney, who one-timed it in for his eighth of the season and third in his last four games since being put on a line with Culligan and James Sheppard.
Both Slaney and Culligan finished with a goal and an assist on the night, while Oskars Bartulis and Jonathan Laberge (into an empty net) scored the other Cape Breton goals. It's nice to see Bartulis hitting the scoresheet over the past couple of games after struggling (by his standards) for a little while.
On the minus side, the powerplay went 0/6 on the night, and the top powerplay unit continues to struggle to score since its addition of Luc Bourdon. Is it just a matter of time before that combination catches fire, or will it soon be time to try something different for a #1 PP unit?
With the win, the Eagles took full advantage of an opportunity to close to within four points of the idle Lewiston MAINEiacs. Cape Breton's record now sits at 36-17-2 for 74 points, and they have won their last three hockey games.
The road trip continues today just about an hour down the road in Victoriaville, where the hometown Tigres are a very impressive 21-4-1 from the Colisee Desjardins (formerly le Colisee des Bois Francs). Victoriaville will be without leading scorer Benoit Doucet, but still boasts a deep lineup that has enjoyed a ton of success over the past couple of months, as they've very quietly moved up the standings in the Telus Division. The key player around whom the Victo offence revolves is Danish star Morten Madsen, who has been scoring at a clip of almost two points per game this season.
They'll most likely start veteran Jean-Christophe Blanchard in goal. No goaltender has performed better on his home ice this season than Blanchard, the former Moncton Wildcat. His home ice record is 16-3, with a 2.20 GAA, three shutouts, and a .929 save %. Cape Breton will have to get to this guy today if they are to have any chance at victory. The Eagles will counter with Ondrej Pavelec, who has really been rounding into form as of late. Other than the substitution of Pavelec in goal for David Davenport (who got the job done in getting the win last night), the Cape Breton lineup should be pretty much the same as it was yesterday.
It should also be noted that former Eagle Vincent Zaore will be in the Victoriaville lineup. He's been having a great overage season as one of the Tigres' most reliable blueliners.
Game time is at 5:00 PM ADT, with Kenny MacNeil kicking off the pre-game show from CJCB AM 1270 at 4:30.
This blogger personally thinks this will be the toughest game of this three-game road trip, so the Eagles had better be sharp!
PS- Keeping an eye on the race for first place, the Lewiston MAINEiacs are at home to the Drummondville Voltigeurs tonight.
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I'm anxiously awaiting the game with Lewiston on Sunday. I was actually thinking about going to that one but it doesn't look like that will happen.
GO EAGLES!!
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