PREVIEW | Isles host the Sea Dogs in first ever 90s night
By Kyle Cotton
It’s the first ever 90s night at the Eastlink Centre as the Charlottetown Islanders host the Saint John Sea Dogs tonight at 7 p.m.
The Isles are looking to bounce back from a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Cape Breton Eagles a week ago today. The second half of the back-to-back was postponed due to poor weather conditions in Cape Breton.
Charlottetown is also looking for their first win on home ice in 2024. They can get there with the help of Carter Bickle (11-18) as he will start his fourth straight game. He has a 3.70 goals against average and an .880 save percentage through 30 appearances.
Islanders report (19-25-3-2)
Captain Michael Horth is leading the Isles in scoring but his production has slowed down since returning from the Christmas break with just three points since Dec. 28, 2023. Though, Horth has missed some time due to injury in that span. Watch for him to bounce back as he could be due for big game.
James Swan has been solid since being acquired from the Armada before the trade period closed. He has four points in nine games and has been strong in the face-off circle when they need him to be. The fourth year forward is looking to continue to make an impact in for the Isles.
Anton Topilnyckyj is still looking for his first marker of the season to go along with his nine assists and his responsible defensive play. He now has helpers in back-to-back games and it’s only a matter of time before he gets the monkey off of his back.
The final lineup for this game will be a game-time decision.
Leading scorers
| Michael Horth | 24-15-39 |
| Giovanni Morneau | 15-22-37 |
| Marcus Kearsey | 5-32-37 |
Power play – 37/158 (23.42%)
Penalty kill – 37/146 (74.66%)
Goals for – 147
Goals against – 192
Sea Dogs report (16-28-3-3)
Saint John is sliding down the standings as they’ve dropped their last four games, most recently losing 3-2 to the Halifax Mooseheads. In their skid, they’ve been outscored 22-6.
Eriks Mateiko is one of the top prospects for the upcoming NHL draft from the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The Latvian born forward has 19 goals, 19 assists for 38 points in 39 games. In three games against the Isles this season, he has four points.
In 17 games since being traded from the Mooseheads, Brody Fournier has been a dependable top-six forward. He has six goals, seven assists for 13 points in that span though he is a -6. This year, the 20-year-old has four points in six games against Charlottetown, including a two-point performance last time out.
Olivier Groulx was acquired from the Shawinigan Cataractes in exchange for Vince Élie, and in their last game he scored his first goal in the Q. Watch for Groulx to ride the momentum as he’ll be hungry for more at the Eastlink Centre.
Leading scorers
| Brody Fournier | 19-20-39 |
| Eriks Mateiko | 19-19-38 |
| Pavel Simek | 16-15-31 |
Power play – 30/169 (17.75%)
Penalty kill – 47/181 (74.03%)
Goals for – 143
Goals against – 207
Final notes – Charlottetown holds a lead in the season series, winning four of six meetings between these two clubs.
The Isles are hosting their first 90s night tonight! The first 500 fans in attendance will take home a limited edition 90s themed team poster so make sure you get here early. Tickets are on sale at the Eastlink Centre box office. Fans can also purchase tickets online or over the phone at (902) 629-6625.
