Sam MacKinnon’s goal at 4:54 of the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Riverview Redmen edged the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals 3-2 in Red Cup Showcase action at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre on Thursday.

Trevor Jennings and Chase Sampson also found the back of the net for the Redmen (2-0).

Craig Landry netted both goals for the Antigonish-based Royals (0-1).

Riverview’s Josh Leudy made 24 saves. Matthew MacEachern of the Royals stopped 32 of 35 shots.

In other action, the Northumberland Nighthawks of Alma, N.S., downed the Dalbrae Dragons of Mabou 7-3.

Connor MacLeod, Joseph Manson and Dylan Kontuk each netted a pair of goals for the Nighthawks (1-0). Matt Carson added a single marker.

Jayden Muise, Angus MacDonald and Matthew Ellis replied with goals for the Dragons (0-1).

The Red Cup Showcase will continue on Friday with seven games on the schedule.

Sydney Academy will play Dr. J.H. Gillis at 9 a.m., followed by Glace Bay and Dalbrae at 11 a.m., Riverview and Northumberland at 1 p.m., and Memorial versus Dr. J.H. Gillis at 3 p.m.

Riverview will play Sydney Academy at 5 p.m., while Memorial battles Dalbrae at 7 p.m., and Glace Bay challenges Northumberland at 9 p.m.

All games at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre in Coxheath.

In case of school cancellation on Friday, Cape Breton-Victoria Centre for Education spokesperson Michelle MacLeod said the schedule will be “reconfigured depending of potential school closure and weather conditions.”

For live coverage of the Red Cup Showcase, follow Post sports reporter Jeremy Fraser on Twitter - @CBPost_Jeremy.

sports@cbpost.com
Twitter: @CBPost_Sports