Islanders make it five in a row with win over Cataractes to kickoff road trip
The Charlottetown Islanders began a three-game road trip through Quebec on Wednesday in Shawinigan.
They went into the game on a four-game win streak and sat one point behind the Cataractes in the standings, who were on a four-game losing streak (including one against the Islanders).
Jake Coughler (19th) scored at the 12:59 mark of the third period and Matthew Welsh shut the door the rest of the way as the Islanders beat the Cataractes 3-2
This win extends their streak to 5 games and completes the Islanders season sweep over the Cataractes after being eliminated from the second round of the playoffs by them last season.
Matthew Grouchy (5th) and Keith Getson (7th) scored in the second period for the Islanders in between William Gignac goals for the Cataractes.
The first period was scoreless.
Coughler’s was the lone goal of the third period and was assisted by Filip Chlapik and Cody Donaghey.
Chlapik finished the night with 2 assists, was +2 and was 7-for-10 in the face-off circle.
The final shots were an even 27-27.
The Islanders now travel to Rouyn-Noranda where they will take on the defending QMJHL champs again on Friday Night. Puck drop is 8:30pm AST.
These two teams met last Friday at the Eastlink Centre where the Islanders won in a shootout.
On Saturday, the Islanders take on the Val-d’Or Foreurs at 8:30pm AST.
The Islanders will now be without Guillaume Brisebois, who heads to Team Canada’s World Junior selection camp (along with Athletic Trainer Kevin Elliott) in Blainville.
Peter Ruttgaizer is with the team all weekend. Join him and Darcy Cudmore on islesradio.com for the action starting 10 minutes before puck drop.
Isles Notebook:
-With the win over Shawinigan, the Islanders jump over the Cataractes in the standings and now sit in 5th place through 29 games.
-After Wednesday’s game and his two assists, Filip Chlapik now has 44 points this season in 26 games. That’s just 10 less points than he had in last season’s entirety, in exactly half the games.
-With his win on Wednesday, Matthew Welsh is just one win shy of hit total from last season (in 26 games player). This season, he has 11 wins in 18 games.
Written by Darcy Cudmore
