Islanders start 2026 preseason with a win against Moncton
The Charlottetown Islanders opened their 2026 Training Camp, presented by ADL, with a 5-1 preseason victory over the Moncton Wildcats at Simmons Sports Centre.
2026 fourth-round pick Colby O’Shaughnessy got the start in goal for the Islanders, while Will Cole was between the pipes for Moncton.
The Islanders wasted little time getting on the board, as Oshawa, Ontario native Hudson Armstrong opened the scoring just 42 seconds into the game. Benjamin Antonio Masi and Nathan Frost picked up the assists on the early goal.
The Wildcats responded later in the period, with Noah Survilas converting on a rebound to tie the game after a successful Moncton power play.
The Islanders regained the lead at 6:42 when Mason Wholders found KJ Eccellson, who broke through two Wildcats defenders before scoring on a partial break.
Justin Hanscombe and Nathan Frost would add goals later in the opening frame, giving Charlottetown a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes.
The Islanders dominated the opening period offensively, outshooting the Wildcats 18-3 heading into the first intermission.
The Islanders continued to control the play in the second period, beginning the frame with a power play after Moncton’s Evan Foiles was assessed a minor penalty for kneeing.
Hudson Armstrong capitalized on the man advantage at the 3:42 mark, scoring his second goal of the afternoon. Armstrong finished off a fantastic passing play from Aslan Tremblay and Benedetto-Antonio Masi to extend the Islanders’ lead.
At the midway point of the period, the Islanders made a change in goal, with Caleb Pelletier entering the game in relief of Colby O’Shaughnessy, who stopped four of the five shots he faced.
The Islanders continued to dominate territorially through 40 minutes, holding a commanding 33-6 advantage in shots heading into the second intermission.
Benedetto-Antonio Masi continued his strong showing in the third period, extending the Islanders’ lead with an early goal.
The Wildcats responded at the 8:20 mark when Evan Foiles beat Caleb Pelletier over the shoulder to make it a 6-2 game.
The Islanders added two more late in the third, with Justyce Johnson and Alex Duguay-Caron finding the back of the net to secure an 8-2 victory.
Pelletier turned aside five of the six shots he faced in relief.
The Islanders continue their preseason schedule on Sunday, August 23, when they take on the Newfoundland Regiment at Simmons Sports Centre. Puck drop is set for 2:00 p.m.
