How not to get ready for playoffs: Cape Breton top scorer Pierre-Luc Dubois suspended for opener

The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles will have to start their first-round playoff matchup against Chicoutimi without their top scorer.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has suspended Pierre-Luc Dubois two games for his hit on Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman Luke Green.

Dubois was not penalized for the hit, which occurred in Friday’s 6-2 Cape Breton victory over Saint John.

The 17-year-old centre already served the first game of the suspension in Cape Breton’s 4-3 win over Saint John on Saturday.

Green did not play the regular season finale.

Cape Breton opens its first-round series against Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Friday. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound forward will be eligible to return for Game 2 on March 26.

Dubois, ranked seventh amongst North American skaters in January’s NHL Central Scouting rankings, had 42 goals and 99 points in 62 regular season games.

“It’s disappointing, but I think the biggest disappointment is letting my teammates and the fans down in the last game of the season – 100 points would have been fun, but it’s not the main part,” Dubois told the Cape Breton Post.