Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Cape Breton posted a 4-1 win over the Lewiston Maineiacs to take Game 4 of their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff series in front of 1,845 fans at the Androscoggin Bank Colise in Lewiston, Me., Wednesday.

The Screaming Eagles, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, can wrap things up Friday in Lewiston when both teams hit the ice for Game 5. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ADT.

“They’re really happy and have to be satisfied with their performance (Wednesday),” said Screaming Eagles head coach Pascal Vincent. “I don’t see anybody jumping in the air right now – some guys are on the bike and some guys are stretching.”

“We tell them that the fourth game is the toughest one to win, so our mission is not accomplished yet.”

Cape Breton rebounded from a slow start, after Matt Boudreau struck a mere 14 seconds into the contest to give the Maineiacs the early 1-0 advantage. But it was all Cape Breton from there, after Robert Slaney netted his third goal of the post season at 8:17 of the first.

“It was pretty much a shutout – they scored 14 seconds into the game and we kept them off the score sheet after that,” said Vincent. “For the guys to keep their composure and stay focused and also after the second period, a 2-1 hockey game on the road, the game is on the line. There was a lot of pressure on the boys and for them to respond the way they did, they keep amazing me.”

Sydney’s Joey Haddad, scoring his third goal of the playoffs, netted the eventual winner on the power play at 2:20 of the second period. With that goal, Cape Breton would go 1-for-6 on the man advantage, while Lewiston continued to struggle on the power play, going 0-for-4.

After Wednesday’s loss, the Maineiacs are now a dismal 0-for-19 in the series.

“It’s a combination of different things,” said Vincent, of his team’s penalty kill. “It’s guys sacrificing their body to blocking shots, it’s Olivier (Roy) being outstanding and aggressive to see the puck, the guys executing what we try to do and staying focused, using their stick and body properly.”

The Screaming Eagles would add to their lead in the final frame, as Murdock MacLellan of Mabou fired his first of the playoffs at 11:36 for insurance. Dean Ouellet found the back of the empty net for his third goal of the playoffs with 49 seconds remaining.

In goal, Roy made 29 saves in the victory, including 15 in the third period. Jonathan Bernier steered aside 29 shots as well in the loss.

“(Roy’s) a key player and has been excellent all year and is outstanding in the playoffs,” said Vincent. “We had a 3-on-5 and there were a few shots I have no idea how he could see the puck, but he managed to make the stops.

“He’s been good also behind his net. His game around the net has improved a lot and it helps us make breakouts.”

The series returns to Cape Breton, if necessary, for Game 6 Monday and Game 7 Tuesday. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

NOTES: Injured Eagles goaltender Marek Benda will be assessed today to see if he can suit up for Friday’s contest.