Islanders Edge Eagles With Last Minute Goal
NOTES FROM THE GAME
– A late tying goal from Cape Breton’s Cam Squires wasn’t enough as Cole Huckins scored in the final minute, along with a Michael Horth empty netter, giving Charlottetown a 4-2 victory. Luke Patterson also scored for the Eagles.
– Both goaltenders shone, as Aksels Ozols stopped 30 of 32 shots, while Milota stopped 29 of 32.
– The Eagles posted a record of 1-2 on the three games, in three days road trip- the first road trip this season in which the Eagles did not post a winning record.
Both teams produced plenty of chances in the opening period, with the shots being 13-13,.The Eagles best early chance came on a Cam Squires breakaway which was denied by Ozols.
Charlottetown’s opening goal came from a passing play off a face-off, with Simon Hughes finishing by putting the puck through Milota. The Eagles countered before period’s end, generating traffic in front, and Patterson was able to shovel it in from the crease in front of Ozols to tie the game- it remained that way by the first intermission.
The Eagles outshot Charlottetown in the second period, but Islanders forward Giovanni Morneau was the lone marksman, putting a shot just under the glove of Milota. Charlottetown carried a 2-1 lead into the final stanza.
After having killed off brief five on three early in the second half of the period, the Eagles looked for a tying goal. Milota was still inching his way to the bench when Squires came up the left wing to produce a shot that went up and over Ozols to tie the game.
The response from the Islanders was fast. Huckins, a force all night, ripped a shot through traffic from the right faceoff circle, with under a minute to play and just 42 seconds after the Squires goal. Following Charlottetown’s go ahead goal, the Eagles called a timeout, won the ensuing centre ice faceoff, and Milota went to the bench.
The Eagles were able to gain the Charlottetown zone, but were unable to set up and Michael Horth sped up the wing to earn the puck and put it into the empty net to clinch the win for the home team.
The Eagles now return home to host division rivals, the Moncton Wildcats, this Saturday November 18th. Puck drop is at 7 PM. It’s student Saturday at the Nest, with all tickets priced at $7 for those 18 and under! Tickets can be purchased at https://shorturl.at/gOQR8 They are also available for purchase in person at the Centre 200 box office and by the phone during box office hours at 902-564-2200
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Aksels Ozols (Charlottetown) 30 saves on 32 shots
2. Jakub Milota (Cape Breton) 29 saves on 32 shots
3. Cole Huckins (Charlottetown) 1 goal, 1 assist +3
Scratches For Cape Breton: Jude Campbell (lower body injury), Antoine Roy (upper body injury), Jacob Newcombe (illness)
Scratches For Charlottetown: Lucas Romeo (injury), Ross Campbell (injury), Sam Bowness (injury)
Final Shots On Goal: 33-32 in favour of Charlottetown
Cape Breton Power Play: 0/1
Charlottetown Power Play: 0/4
