Article contentThe Eagles’ best season since joining the league in 2018 came during the 2022-23 campaign when the club finished second in the division with a 21-8-0-1 record.Article content“I came into the season expecting it to be good, but it’s been a lot better than what I was expecting and probably what anybody was expecting,” said Buckley. “We started really hot, we slowed down a little bit, but we’re getting our rhythm back and it’s really been a blast.”Article contentEskasoni, under the guidance of head coach Ian Harries and general manager Ethan Stanwick, started the season on a six-game winning before losing their first game of the campaign on Oct. 5, 9-0, to the Capstone Colts of Shearwater.Article contentThe Eagles are 4-6 in their last 10 games and recently acquired defenceman Tyson Lefrense from Membertou via trade and signed forward Mitchell Gould, who recently departed the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush program.Article contentArticle contentBuckley believes the key to success has been how quick the team has gelled early on.Article content“Everybody on the team knows each other and has played together or against each other, but I feel like there’s been so many connections made so quick this year. It’s definitely been a big contributor to our success,” said Buckley. “We have a really good group of guys and I’m looking forward to see what we can do the rest of the year.”Article contentHOME-AND-HOME SERIESArticle contentEskasoni will close out the first half of the season this weekend with a home-and-home series with Cape Breton rival, the Membertou Jr. Miners, who sit last in the Sid Rowe Division with a 4-14-0-0 record.Article contentThe Eagles and Jr. Miners have played twice in the regular season with Eskasoni winning both games. The last meeting between the two clubs came on Oct. 4 with the Eagles beating the Jr. Miners 8-3 at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre.Article contentArticle contentBuckley recognized the importance of the weekend series.Article content“The expectation is to get two big wins here this weekend and hopefully elevate us to that first-place sport back in the division,” said Buckley. “You always get fired up for your games, but when you have that hometown rivalry, like we do with Membertou, there’s nothing like it.”Article contentIf playing back-to-back games wasn’t enough already, the weekend will be even harder for the Jr. Miners. Membertou is scheduled to play the Windsor Oxen in Windsor on Friday night before taking on the Eagles.Article contentMembertou and Windsor were originally scheduled to play last Friday night in Windsor, but the game was postponed due to weather conditions.Article contentThe Eagles and Jr. Miners will hit the ice on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre before playing on Sunday at 7:30 p.m., at the Dan K. Stevens Memorial Arena in Eskasoni.
Eskasoni Eagles Owen Buckley makes seamless transition from high school ranks to junior B hockey
