Moncton forces overtime to win in extra minutes
Moncton, NB — The Islanders didn’t have much time to rest after Friday’s win on home ice as they headed right to Moncton less than 24 hours later. Moncton had yet to play on home soil, playing their last three on the road with a perfect record.
The late Robert Irving got a tribute prior to puck drop with this being the first game in the Avenir Centre since his passing on May 19, 2026.
The Islanders are coming off of a two game win streak against the Cape Breton Eagles and had some pep in their step early. Will Shields made sure his presence was known in front of Moncton’s Home Opening crowd, scoring less than two minutes into the opening frame. The Islanders kept Moncton on their heels for the majority of the first period with a fast slap shot goal from KJ Eccleston securing himself his second goal of the season. No penalties were recorded in the first, which was a big change for the Islanders after recording 12 in the second period of Friday nights game alone. The Isles outshot Moncton 17-11 in the first; making for another positive change getting good scoring opportunities early.
The second 20 minutes started off with back and forth hockey, neither team being particularly dominant. By far, one of the Islanders more tame games as they continue to label themselves a bigger, more aggressive team. Moncton got their first penalties of the game within the first five minutes of the second frame, leading to Nolan Duskocy’s second goal of the season and giving the Islanders a three goal lead. Charlottetown’s opening goal scorer, Shields, found himself in the sin bin, giving the Wildcats their first tick on the board. The period almost came to an end when the Islanders Assistant Captain, Anthony Flanagan, got a checking from behind penalty after sending a Wildcat into the boards. He got a five minute major and a game misconduct. Flanagan’s hit started what would then become the brawl of the game sending Aleksandrs Leonards Grundmanis to the penalty box along with Moncton’s Charlie Benigno and Jake Boguniecki.
Moncton started the final frame with a powerplay and capitalizing on the extra man advantage closing the gap to 1. Rian Chudzinski put it away into the back of the net as he got his wide open opportunity in the back door slot. Moncton got some wind under their wings in the third compared to the first period, giving the Islanders an even matchup. With 2:08 left in the game the Wildcats rallied to make it a tie game, utilizing their strongest asset of the night, Chudzinski, who put his second in the back of the net. The 3-3 tie meant overtime for the Islanders.
Overtime only lasted a minute fifty. Myles Brosnan played hero for the Moncton team that came back to steal a win in their Home Opening game.
The Islanders get a day off Sunday before prepping for a long Quebec trip with a first stop in Victoriaville on Wednesday. Charlottetown doesn’t play at home again until October 9th.
Season Tickets and 15-Game Packs are still available for the 2026-27 season. Fans can secure their seats for an exciting new era of Islanders hockey by purchasing online or visiting the Eastlink Centre Box Office.
