Islanders look to protect the bridge against Halifax Mooseheads
Their marketing slogan for a number of years has been “You just can’t stop the Moose”. The Charlottetown Islanders will look to do just that as the Halifax Mooseheads make their second visit to the Eastlink Centre this season.
The Mooseheads currently lead the Maritime Division with 10 points (5-2-0-0), good for third in the QMJHL. They’re coming off a road trip that saw them win just once in three games, an overtime victory on October 5th against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. In their most recent game, they were defeated by the league-leading Baie-Comeau Drakkar by a score of 3-2.
Like the Moose, the Islanders themselves are coming off of a 1-2 Quebec road trip. The similarities don’t stop there; their only victory also came against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in extra time. Charlottetown currently sits tied for 11th in the league with 7 points (3-4-1-0), and third in the Maritime Division. A win tonight would bump them in to a tie for ninth in the league.
The Mooseheads boast a high-powered offence that hasn’t clicked quite like many had expected early on. That said, the team has yet to play at full strength; they’ve been dealing with injuries to top defenseman Jared MacIsaac and recently-acquired forward Ostap Safin, along with Kyle Petten, Joel Bishop, and Samuel Dube. Arnaud Durandeau currently leads the Moose with 6 goals and 4 assists through 7 games this season.
For the Islanders, defenseman Hunter Drew makes his return to the lineup following a five-game suspension. Look for him to slide in to his regular position on the point alongside Brendon Clavelle. Long-time Islander Keith Getson pulled ahead of his teammates in the team points race this weekend. He now has 3 goals and 3 assists in 8 games this season.
In goal, Matthew Welsh rebounded nicely from his start in Baie-Comeau to earn the win in Chicoutimi; he’ll start in goal tonight for the Isles. For the Mooseheads, Alexis Gravel will make his seventh appearance of the season. He boasts a 3.01 goals against average and a .913 save percentage in that span.
Don’t forget that tonight’s game is Student Night! All student tickets are just $3, while all 19+ beverages are just $3! Tickets for tonight’s game are available as always at the Eastlink Centre box office, by phone at 902-629-6625, or online at https://boxoffice.eastlinkcentrepei.com. We’ll see you tonight!
