Preview: Stratford’s own Simon Hughes Plays in 200th CHL Game Against Saguenéens
Friday, October 25, 5 p.m. at Centre-Georges Vézina
The Charlottetown Islanders hit the ice this evening in Chicoutimi, facing the Saguenéens in the second matchup between these teams this season. This is the Isles’ final game of their 3-game road trip in Quebec.
Tonight marks a special milestone for Charlottetown’s own #55 Simon Hughes, as the Stratford native gears up for his 200th CHL appearance. Now in his third season with the Islanders, Hughes has become an integral part of Charlottetown’s roster bringing leadership and a steady presence on the ice as Assistant Captain.
Before joining the Isles, Hughes spent two seasons with the Drummondville Voltigeurs after initially being drafted by the Saint John Sea Dogs. His journey has come full circle as he represents his home province night after night, and his commitment to the team is on display as he reaches this impressive career milestone tonight. Stay tuned to our YouTube page for a sit-down interview with Simon this week!
Their last encounter, a thrilling battle at the Eastlink Centre, ended with a narrow overtime loss for the Isles. In that matchup, Charlottetown got on the board with goals from Will Shields, Matt Butler, and Alexis Michaud, keeping pace with the Sags until the final moments.
The Isles face a Chicoutimi lineup stacked with firepower, featuring top prospect Alex Huang and prolific scorer Emmanuel Vermette, both of whom bring speed and skill that will challenge Charlottetown’s defense. The Islanders, meanwhile, are pushing for a strong finish to their Quebec road trip, having come off an emotional loss last night to Baie-Comeau.
Last night, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens continued their impressive form with a 3-1 victory on home ice, besting the Quebec Remparts in a tightly contested matchup. Chicoutimi showcased its offensive prowess early, with high-scoring forward Emmanuel Vermette and top prospect Alex Huang leading the charge.
Backed by a stellar goaltending performance, Chicoutimi locked down the win, giving them a boost in confidence as they head into this evening’s showdown with the Islanders.
The Islanders, meanwhile, are pushing for a strong finish to their Quebec road trip, having come off an emotional loss last night to Baie-Comeau.
In a tough blow to the lineup, F Will Shields, who’s been a scoring leader for Charlottetown, was evaluated at a local hospital after yesterday’s game. Although he was released without major injury, Shields will sit out this evening’s game, leaving a gap the team will need to work hard to fill.
On the defensive side, newcomer Thomas Sirman, playing his second game for the Isles, will look to build on the strong impression he made last night.
Facing Chicoutimi on short rest is a challenging assignment, but the Isles are ready to bring everything they’ve got. With an emotional game yesterday and strong team spirit, Charlottetown hopes to bounce back and cap off this road stretch with a win before heading back to home ice.
