Luke MacEachern of the Strait Pirates, left, stays close to Cohen McNeil of the Membertou Jr. Miners during Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League action at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre on Saturday. Strait won the game 5-4. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST Jeremy FraserArticle contentThe Eskasoni Eagles kicked off their 2025-26 Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League season with a pair of victories over the weekend.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOn Sunday, the Eagles downed the Membertou Jr. Miners 5-3 at the Dan K. Stevens Memorial Arena in Eskasoni.Article contentArticle contentAlexander Chenhall scored three times to complete the hat trick while Marcellus Francis found the back of the net twice for the Eagles (2-0-0-0).Article contentArticle contentTyson Lefrense buried a pair of goals while Brady Matheson, who played last season with Lawrence Academy in Massachusetts, added a single marker for the Jr. Miners (0-2-0-0).Article contentEskasoni’s Andrew Burke made 24 saves. Membertou’s Lucas Fraser stopped 42 of 47 shots.Article contentMeanwhile, on Friday night, the Eagles defeated the Strait Pirates 5-2 at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre in Port Hawkesbury.Article contentKeagen Geizer led with two goals, while Matthew Burke, Dylan Arsenault and Jesse Cathcart added single markers for the Eagles.Article contentLandon MacIntosh scored both goals for the Pirates (1-1-0-0).Article contentEskasoni’s Darian MacInnis made 31 saves. Strait’s Neil MacLean stopped 29 of 34 shots.Article contentPIRATES EARN FIRST WINArticle contentStrait earned its first victory of the season on Saturday night.Article contentThe Pirates edged Membertou 5-4 at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre.Article contentMacIntosh, Carlin Samson, Craig Saulnier, Henry Dougan and Cadyn Power scored for the Pirates. For the Miners, Landon Clark led with two goals, while Matheson and Cohen McNeil added single markers.Article contentArticle contentPirates netminder Liam McGilp made 33 saves. Miners’ Lucas Fraser back stopped four of seven shots in the first nine minutes and 53 seconds before being replaced with Baxter Lawrence, who fended off 17 of 19 shots for the remainder of the game.Article contentCOMING UPArticle contentThe NSJHL regular season will continue this weekend.Article contentMembertou will travel to Antigonish to face the Bulldogs on Friday at 7:30 p.m., at the Antigonish Arena before returning home to host the South Shore Lumberjacks on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre.Article contentMeanwhile, on Sunday, the Pirates will host the Lumberjacks at 2 p.m., at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. The Eagles will be home later in the day at 7:30 p.m., against the Pictou County Scotians at the Dan K. Stevens Memorial Arena.Article contentArticle content
JUNIOR HOCKEY: Eskasoni Eagles open 2025 season with two victories, Strait Pirates split opening weekend
