CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Zachary Beauregard was all smiles after his first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game.
The Charlottetown Islanders rookie scored the team’s first goal of the regular season in a 4-2 win over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in front of 3,010 fans at the Eastlink Centre.
“That was a great feeling,” he said.
“I saw a loose puck and just jumped on it,” he added explaining his goal with 2:03 remaining in the first period. “I didn't see where the goal was. I just shot and got hit after that. When I saw the guys coming (towards) me I just knew I scored.”
He noted his mother left their home in Repentigny, Que., Thursday to be in the stands Friday night.
“It was good to score in front of her,” he said smiling.
Beauregard was expected to be a fourth-line centre who killed penalties, is a good forechecker and brings energy to the squad.
“A dream start to the career for him,” head coach and general manager Jim Hulton said. “I thought it really fuelled his game. He played with energy and excitement the rest of the way.”
Beauregard said it was nice to get the first goal in the first game of the season, particularly when it came in a victory.
“We worked hard, and we just won this game together.”
