Shutting the door
Mandolese picks up first career QMJHL shutout in win over Sea Dogs
Kevin Mandolese kicked aside all 17 shots sent his way for his first career Quebec Major Junior Hockey League shutout as the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles blanked the Saint John Sea Dogs 4-0 on Wednesday at Harbour Station.
Mandolese was busiest in the third period, as he made nine saves. He improved his record to 11-9-2-0.
Brooklyn Kalmikov’s 15th goal of the season on the power play in the second period stood up as the winner. Team captain Phélix Martineau chipped in an insurance tally in the middle frame.
In the third, Shaun Miller and Ross MacDougall with the man advantage rounded out the attack. Mathias Laferrière finished with three assists, while Ryan Francis had two helpers.
Alex D’Orio made 32 saves in the Saint John net in the loss. He was particularly busy in the second period, as Cape Breton outshot Saint John, 16-1.
Cape Breton finished 2-for-6 on the power play, while Saint John went scoreless on two attempts.
The win for the Screaming Eagles, their second in a row, improved their record to 24-22-5-1 for 11th overall in the league standings and fourth in the Maritimes Division. The Sea Dogs (1230-7-2) are last in the 18-team league and have lost six straight games.
Cape Breton returns home for a pair of contests this weekend at Centre 200. They’ll challenge the Moncton Wildcats on Saturday at 7 p.m. and play the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Sunday at 4 p.m. The game against the Armada will mark the return of former Eagles star forward Drake Batherson to Centre 200.