Rocket blast-off; burn Eagles with 7-4 win
By Nolan Reid
Matej Beran’s second period powerplay goal stood as the winner for the P.E.I. Rocket in a 7-4 thumping over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Saturday night at the Charlottetown Civic Centre.
The Rocket pick up their first win of the season and improve to a 1-0-0-1 record. Cape Breton dropped to 1-1 on the year. Rocket head coach Gordie Dwyer picked up his first win behind the bench.
Beran and Ben Duffy led the way for the Rocket with two goals and an assist each. William Carrier was the best Eagle with two goals and an assist.
Former Eagle, Pier-Antoine Dion said it was a good team win for the Rocket.
“The guys all worked hard. It was a better game. Strong defense.”
P.E.I. opened the scoring in the first period with Duffy’s second goal of year at 5:13. Cape Breton cashed in with a goal of their own from Denis Kindl at 12:02. Tomas Pavelka regained the Rocket lead with a powerplay goal at 16:33. Alex Noel put the Rocket up 3-1 at 19:10 before William Cochrane of Cape Breton made it 3-2 just 28 seconds later.
Beran scored two goals in the second period with the Rocket on a two-man-advantage at 14:24 and 15:30.
In the third period, Duffy added his second of the game to make it a 6-2 Rocket game at 9:06. Beran drew the lone assist. Cape Breton got back on the board with Carrier’s first of the game at 10:03. Dion responded back with a powerplay goal at 13:36 to put the Rocket up 7-3. Carrier added his second goal 17 seconds later to make it a three-goal margin.
The Rocket were terrific on the powerplay, going 4-for-6 on the night. The Rocket have scored seven goals on the man advantage in the last two games.
Dion said the powerplay secret has just been shooting pucks.
“I think the Duff (Ben Duffy) line did a pretty good job.”
Antoine Bibeau was rewarded the win for the Rocket in goal, turning aside 25 of 29 shots. Eagles goaltender, Alexandre Veronneau took the loss, stopping 16 of 23.
The Rocket are back in action Sept. 15 when they visit the Moncton Wildcats at the Moncton Coliseum. Gametime 7 p.m. Next home game is Thursday Sept. 22 against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
