Isles climb back into the win column beating the Wildcats in OT

A lovely two days off to rest up and regroup before we went over to Moncton for tonight’s match-up against the Wildcats and the Isles were gifted some good news prior to puck drop as well. A man Jim Hulton has missed slotting into his lineup for a while now would lace them up for action this evening. Xavier Simoneau was a game-time decision but he was revved up and primed for action come 7 pm this evening. He wasn’t the only one jumping into the game either, top Isles prospect and a lethal man on the offensive side of the game, Jonah Jelley was brought up for the trip across the bridge. These two could be just what the doctor ordered to get the Islanders back into the win column and electrify the locker room come game-time. When the puck dropped at 7 pm, it was a strategic attack on the Cats’ and some good Isles hockey.

We had more time on attack and more opportunities to score in the first but Jonathan Lemieux blanked us in the opening frame, it seemed the Isles ran into another hot tendy. Our defense was tight in the opening twenty as well only surrendering five shots on net none of which were too dangerous. There was one minor penalty a piece but neither team was able to cash in on their man advantage. For the third straight game, the Isles have gone into the first break in a scoreless tie.

Isles had the advantage in shots at 10-5 through the opening frame.

In the second period, the Isles got caught up in some penalty trouble and a bit of confusion that cost them. Just before we got five minutes into the middle frame, the Wildcats opened the scoring. Brooklyn Kalmikov came in fast through the neutral zone and some confusion between Cormier and Plandowski left the whole left-wing free for him to enter the zone quickly. Kalmikov got to about the hash marks where he sent a quick wrister on net and over the glove of Lappena for his 32nd of the season. Then, at 8:47 into the period, the Wildcats padded their lead. Thomas Darcy was found all alone near the left face-off dot where he ripped a quick pass from Alex Mercier over the blocker of Lappena and into the back of the net on the powerplay. Alex Mercier and Connor Olson were the helpers on this one. The Wildcats kept the Isles off the board for forty minutes as they took the 2-0 lead into the final frame.

Shots were 16-16 after two.

In the third frame, the Isles came storming back. Just a little over six minutes into the period, the Isles were pressing hard, and eventually, it paid off. Biakabutuka set Cormier up nicely at the point and he sent a rocket of a one-timer five-hole on Lemieux for his 25th gino of the season which got us on the board. Jeremie Biakabutuka and Dawson Stairs were the helping hands. Then, at 12:38 into the third, our leading goal scorer got things all tied up. Patrick Guay sniped it home way past Lemieux for his 42nd goal of the season and the Isles 14th shorty of the season, quite the impressive stat. Jakub Brabenec stood as the lone assist on the tally. Things would stay knotted at two-all and we were heading to overtime at the Avenir Centre.

The Islanders were in control for most of the extra frame minus one or two decent chances the Wildcats got while on the break. It was at 3:27 into OT that Patty Guay decided it was about time to send his boys back home with a win. Guay cut in hard and worked his way right in front of the crease uncontested where he beat Lemieux by sliding it past his right pad on the backhand. It was Guay’s second of the game and 43rd on the campaign. The apples on the game-winner were credited to Jeremie Biakabutuka and Zachary Roy.

Final shots were in the Isles favor at 31-23.

Three Stars of the Game:

1. Patrick Guay(CHA)- Two goals and the game-winner.
2. Thomas Darcy(MON)- One goal.
3. Lukas Cormier(CHA)- One goal.

It took longer than expected for the Isles to get on the board in this one but once they started, they didn’t stop. It was a huge two points to pick up and a great confidence booster getting back into the win column before going into the weekend. Overall, despite being down after two periods, this was a solid effort put in by Charlottetown and a good game to build on. Now, we look ahead to this weekend where the Islanders will be hosting the Eagles at the Eastlink Centre for a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday.

GO Isles GO!