September 6th, 2008
Eagles strong in exhibition
SYDNEY — Although it was merely a tune up, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles attacked at full throttle in a 6-3 win over the P.E.I. Rocket in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League exhibition action at Centre 200, Friday.
“We want to have a good forecheck this year and I think we want to have that against every team — it should be one of our strong points,” said 19-year-old forward Michael Stinziani of Lorraine, Que., acquired in a draft-day deal from the Gatineau Olympiques this summer.
Stinziani netted his first goal of the preseason in the third period and added an assist in the victory. He was first coached by Screaming Eagles head coach and general manager Mario Durocher in his 16-year-old season with Gatineau.
“I’ve been known as a guy with a lot of speed and I’ve been known to go into the corners and hit,” Stinziani said. “I’m looking to bring speed and a couple of goals to the team this season.”
Cape Breton’s offensive-zone pressure was most evident in the opening frame, as they outshot the visitors 16-4 in the first and 42-17 by the final buzzer. J.C. Gauthier got things rolling at 2:47, followed by a couple of nice goals in the slot by Glace Bay’s Logan Shaw and Jérémy Gouchie.
“They have a pretty young roster and I had no choice, we have our team (picked),” said Durocher. “We came out pretty strong and wanted to establish a good forecheck and we did a pretty good job in the first period.”
Captain Chris Culligan added to the team’s lead at 3:53 of the second period and also picked up an assist in the game. Brandon MacLean got the Rocket on the board, but Nick MacNeil struck in traffic on the power play for a 5-1 advantage.
In the third period, after Stinziani’s marker, Benjamin Casavant on the power play and former Dartmouth Subways forward Ben Duffy cut into the advantage, but it was as close as the visiting Rocket would get to a comeback.
The goaltending duties were split on each end of the ice. Chris Holden posted the victory after allowing one goal on 10 shots. He was replaced by Olivier Roy at 11:43 of the second period, who allowed two goals on eight shots.
For P.E.I., starter Evan Mosher was tagged with the loss, allowing four goals on 24 shots faced. Jon Waye entered the game at 11:43 of the second and allowed two goals on 18 shots in relief.
Both teams will lock horns Sunday at the Charlottetown Civic Centre at 4 p.m. The Screaming Eagles will open the 2008-09 season at Centre 200 Sept. 12 against the Halifax Mooseheads at 7 p.m.
NOTES: Defenceman Olivier Dame-Malka (illness) and forward Nicolas Chouinard (charley horse) were scratched, while overage forwards Robert Slaney and Murdoch MacLellan were both healthy scratches but will be in the lineup Sunday, as both Culligan and Joey Haddad prepare to depart for their respective pro training camps . . . Durocher said overage defenceman Alex Lamontagne is contemplating his future with the team. “He’s around here,” said Durocher, when asked if Lamontagne had left camp. “He wants to think about what he’s going to do, if he starts the season with us, if he waits for a trade, or go to school.” Durocher said Lamontagne is registering for school in Quebec as a contingency plan in case things don’t work out with Cape Breton. He’ll talk to Lamontagne this weekend to see what his status is, while a trade is also a possibility.
tjcolello@cbpost.com
