SYDNEY, N.S. —
Lucas Canning couldn’t discover the phrases to elucidate the sensation of being again on the ice and getting ready for video games.
The 16-year-old rookie and his Cape Breton Eagles teammates haven’t performed a Quebec Main Junior Hockey League recreation in 71 days — greater than two months — because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With approval from the provincial authorities, Canning and the Eagles will return to recreation motion Friday after they host the Maritime Division-leading Charlottetown Islanders at 7 p.m. at Centre 200 in Sydney.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” mentioned Canning of the league’s restart. “We’re getting again to enjoying the sport we love and it feels nice.”
The Eagles final performed a regular-season recreation on Nov. 18 after they defeated the Saint John Sea Canines 8-6 at Centre 200.
It was 24 hours after the sport when the league introduced a workers member from the Sea Canines examined constructive for COVID-19. That particular person had not travelled to Cape Breton and no different members of the Sea Canines examined constructive.
The QMJHL later introduced a pause in play and prolonged the league’s Christmas break till early January. Nevertheless, as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the league pushed its restart to the tip of this month.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
CAPE BRETON EAGLES
• File: 7-8-0-0 – 14 Factors
• Standings: thirteenth total within the QMJHL, fourth total within the Maritime Division (As of Jan. 28)
• Energy Play Share: 34.0 (2nd within the QMJHL)
• Penalty Kill Share: 84.9 (4th within the QMJHL)
• Final 10: 5-5-0-0
• High Scorers: Jarrett Baker (4 objectives, 16 assists, 20 factors), Nathan Larose (10 objectives, 7 assists, 17 factors) and Liam Kidney (6 objectives, 5 assists, 11 factors)
• NHL Property: None
CHARLOTTETOWN ISLANDERS
• File: 12-2-0-0 – 24 Factors
• Standings: Second total within the QMJHL, first total within the Maritime Division (As of Jan. 28)
• Energy Play Share: 34.5 (1st within the QMJHL)
• Penalty Kill Share: 83.6 (seventh within the QMJHL)
• Final 10: 9-1-0-0
• High Scorers: Cédric Desruisseaux (19 objectives, 8 assists, 27 factors), Thomas Casey (12 objectives, 11 assists, 23 factors), and Lukas Cormier (7 objectives, 14 assists, 21 factors)
• NHL Property: Lukas Cormier (Vegas) and Colten Ellis (St. Louis)
Regardless of not enjoying video games, the Eagles have been on the ice since early January.
“The final two months felt like one other offseason,” mentioned Canning, a Stellarton native. “After we bought the discover that we couldn’t play we went proper into offseason mode.
“Simply preparing and getting ready for one fast discover that we had been allowed to play — which got here final week — we needed to relax into recreation mode and get some practices in and put together once more.”
Through the pause, Canning remained in Cape Breton, working with former Eagles gamers Egor Sokolov and Mitchell Balmas in addition to assistant coach Chris Culligan.
Canning, the Eagles second-round decide final June, mentioned all three guys gave him recommendation on how one can enhance his recreation.
“They informed me to not cease working,” mentioned Canning. “I feel they’ve helped put me in a means higher spot then the place I used to be within the first half of the season.”
In 13 video games this season, the left-winger recorded one aim and a minus-13 score with 17 photographs on aim. Canning believes he’s adjusting effectively to the league.
“The extra video games I had below my belt I began feeling higher,” mentioned Canning. “I began to slot in much more, so total I felt like the primary half of the season was a studying expertise for me.”
Through the winter commerce interval, the Eagles traded veterans Shawn Component, Ryan Francis and Félix Lafrance, whereas buying younger gamers and prospects to start a rebuilding cycle.
Canning will probably be one of many gamers common supervisor Jacques Carrière builds round, which is one thing he’s embracing.
“It’s giving me a lot of confidence heading into the second half of the season,” mentioned Canning. “The strikes the workforce made will give me extra alternative and to see an article come out that they’re going to construct round us younger guys provides to the boldness stage.”
Cape Breton enters Friday’s recreation with a 7-8-0-0 file and at the moment sits fourth within the Maritime Division with 14 factors. Charlottetown is 12-2-0-0 and thought of contender for this yr’s President Cup.
Following Friday’s recreation, the Eagles will host the Halifax Mooseheads on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Centre 200.
On account of COVID-19 restrictions, no followers or media will probably be permitted to attend this weekend’s video games.
Jeremy Fraser is the sports activities reporter for the Cape Breton Publish. He is been with the publication for 4 years. Observe Jeremy on Twitter @CBPost_Jeremy.
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