January 21st, 2008
Eagles nip Foggies again
SYDNEY -- Marek Benda said although practices are nice, games are, simply put, games.
“I started the game and I was nervous because I haven’t played for a long time and Olivier (Roy) played the past five games,” said Benda, who made 29 saves in a 4-3 win over the St. John’s Fog Devils at Centre 200, Saturday.
“The first few minutes I was nervous, but I made some saves and felt better and better. The third period, I felt really good.”
Benda, who improved to 7-9-0 on the season, gave the invited 500-plus Timbits in the crowd a lesson in hard work and patience, virtues that eventually paid off in a victory.
“I have worked hard the past weeks and practiced and was ready for the game,” he said, through a heavy accent. “I had morning practice, afternoon practice, workout with my goalie coach because I needed a good game and needed a win.”
“It’s hard for goalies. Goalies need games, games, games. I didn’t play in a long time, so it was hard. Now I feel good and am ready for next game.”
Dean Ouellet set up shop in his usual location and scored the game winner on the power play at 14:17 of the third period, banking the puck through the pads of Timo Pielmeier on top of the crease. Pielmeier made 21 saves in the loss.
Nick MacNeil, Spencer Corcoran and Pierre Payment also struck for Cape Breton, who held a 3-2 lead heading into the third period. Jean-Simon Allard, Mathieu Labrie and Matt Fillier with the tying goal at 1:50 of the third replied for the Foggies.
The win was the second in as many nights against the Fog Devils and Cape Breton’s fourth-straight victory. The triumph was also head coach and general manager Pascal Vincent’s 300th career win behind the bench.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the team,” said Vincent, downplaying the milestone. “It means I’ve been in the league for a long time, that’s what it means.”
Vincent gave the Fog Devils credit in the loss, praising the visitors for battling back and tying the contest.
“They’re creating a lot, forechecking hard and put a lot of pressure on our ‘D’,” he said. “But it was good to see Benda get the win and the boys were paying the price tonight, taking the hits to make the plays. We have quite a few bruises right now.”
The Screaming Eagles next home game will be Wednesday against the P.E.I. Rocket. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
NOTE: Jeremy Gouchie had to be helped to the dressing room with an injury to his left leg, but Vincent said the injury wasn’t serious and his forward had weight on it after the game. Forward Robert Slaney (knee) is still about a week away from a return.
