The Cape Breton Eagles closed out their regular season on a high note, defeating the Saint John Sea Dogs 4-1 at TD Station on Saturday, March 22, 2025. This victory not only concluded the Eagles' campaign but also marked a significant ending for the Sea Dogs, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
In a game where the Eagles showcased their talents, Brayden Schmitt scored a crucial short-handed goal, his second point of the night, which became the winning goal. Other contributing goals came from Luke Patterson and Alexis Toussaint, while Cam Squires capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal, marking his 100th goal in his QMJHL career—an impressive milestone for the young player.
Alexis Cournoyer was stellar in net for Cape Breton, stopping 32 of 33 shots to secure the victory. In contrast, Saint John’s Justin Robinson faced a barrage of 41 shots, making 38 saves but ultimately could not keep the Eagles at bay.
The game itself was a tale of control and missed opportunities. The Eagles carried the first period, outshooting Saint John 15-7, but neither team could score until just 15 seconds before the first intermission, when Patterson deftly maneuvered around the Sea Dogs' defense and put one in the back of the net. As Coach Travis Crickard noted, the scoreless opening was followed by unyielding pressure from Cape Breton, which led to Schmitt doubling the lead early in the second period.
Throughout the game, Saint John struggled to create offensive opportunities, reflecting the team's challenges throughout the season. Finally, Matthew Krayer managed to net a goal with just over two minutes remaining to prevent a shutout, giving the Sea Dogs a brief moment of joy amid what has been a tough season.
Meanwhile, the Eagles will carry this momentum into the playoffs, finishing the season with a record of 33-23-4-3, and now look forward to a first-round series against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The rematch is a stark contrast to last year when the Eagles were eliminated by the Drakkar in the league semi-finals.
In addition to Cape Breton's tale, the Charlottetown Islanders also faced a critical game on the same day, wrapping up their regular season against the Halifax Mooseheads at the Scotiabank Centre. Coming off a tough 3-1 loss to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, where they dominated with over 40 shots but still fell short, the Isles had their sights set on building confidence before heading into their playoff matchup against the Rimouski Oceanic.
Despite their prior performances, the Islanders managed to win 4 out of 7 matchups against Halifax this season, a promising stat that could bolster their confidence. However, with a plethora of NHL-drafted talent lining up on the Rimouski side, including Jonathan Fauchon, the league’s leading goal scorer, the Isles will have their hands full in the first round. With star goaltender Nicolas Ruccia performing solidly throughout the season, the Islanders are set to rise to the challenge.
On the day of the game in Halifax, excitement swirled through the stands as the Mooseheads prepared for their final home game, aiming to leave a lasting impression before the playoffs while simultaneously facing off against the Charlottetown Isles. The Mooseheads entered this matchup knowing they needed to secure their playoff positioning against the Gatineau Olympiques after the Titan secured a win the night before, creating a tie in the standings.
As the regular season wrapped up, the Moncton Wildcats continued to demonstrate their dominance in the league with a resounding 7-2 victory over the Mooseheads. This impressive showing extended their winning streak to 14 games, solidifying their position as a powerhouse team as they prepare for the playoffs.
Seven different players registered goals for Moncton, while Halifax’s Shawn Carrier and Quinn Kennedy accounted for their two scores. Despite a called-back goal by Liam Kilfoil, who had a standout birthday, the Wildcats were relentless and capitalized on their goal-scoring opportunities.
The Wildcats honored their graduating players ahead of the game while simultaneously tying the franchise record for wins in a season at 52, putting them in a strong position as they head to the QMJHL Gilles-Courteau Trophy Playoffs next weekend against the Quebec Remparts.
The challenges of playoff hockey await all teams now transitioning from the regular season into the postseason. With every team facing unique hurdles, excitement builds as they prepare for battles on the ice that will determine which teams advance toward championship glory. For fans and players alike, this time of year is a reminder of the beauty and unpredictability that makes hockey a beloved sport.
