The Cape Breton Eagles kicked off the 2025 season on Friday night, defeating the Acadie-Bathurst Titan with a solid performance, highlighted by goalkeeper Alexis Cournoyer's impressive shutout. The final score was 3-0 at Centre 200, where the Eagles welcomed the Titan for their last regular season matchup before relocating to St. John’s, Newfoundland, for the upcoming season.
Brayden Schmitt's goal early in the first period proved to be the game-winner. It was a closely contested match, with Cournoyer stopping all 28 shots from Bathurst, allowing Cape Breton to secure the victory. Joshua Flemming, the Titan's overager, faced 42 shots and managed to save 39 but could not fend off the Eagles' offense.
Offensively, Cape Breton was bolstered by power-play goals from Lewis Gendron and Jacob Newcombe, both of whom found the net after strong setups from teammates. The Eagles took advantage of early power plays, demonstrating their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The game started with high energy and scoring chances, but the lone goal of the first period came from Schmitt, whose point shot made its way through traffic to beat Flemming. Bathurst struggled to establish their game plan, and even with two power plays later, they could not find the back of the net against Cape Breton’s fortified defense.
This match also held broader significance as it marked the Titan's final series at Centre 200, symbolizing the end of an era. The Titan, who sit fourth in the Eastern Conference standing and are expecting to advance to the playoffs, have built strong connections with the fans of Bathurst.
New additions like Gendron and Cournoyer have made noticeable impacts on the Eagles, positioning them favorably as they look to close the gap on the Titan as they contest for playoff positioning. Just six points behind Bathurst, the Eagles had every incentive to capitalize on the two points available and aimed to continue their winning streak, which included three wins to close out the previous year.
The excitement didn’t end with just this match. The same two teams were set to face off again Saturday evening, making it the final chance for Cape Breton fans to see the Titan play as rivals. Puck drop for the rematch was scheduled for 7 PM AST, with fans encouraged to take part in the farewell festivities.
"We knew this weekend could carry weight for our playoff chances, and our guys executed well," said Eagles Coach after the game, emphasizing the importance of picking up points against strong opponents like Bathurst.
Ticket sales for the games have been strong, reflecting the community's support for both teams during this transitional time. Tickets for the game continue to be available at the Centre 200 box office and online. Fans can also engage with the game through various media outlets covering the matchup, including live stats and radio broadcasts.
This matchup not only highlights the competitive spirit within the league but also the friendships and rivalries formed over the years, making the final games for the Titan especially poignant. The Eagles are poised to leverage this sentiment as they aim for success and fan engagement.
Three stars of the game included Cournoyer, who was recognized for his flawless performance between the pipes, alongside Gendron for his goal and the team’s dynamic player Cam Squires, who contributed with two assists.
The Eagles' next challenge will solidify their standing as they push forward, but for now, the emphasis remains on celebrating the presence of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and the moments they shared on the ice at Centre 200.