Islanders best the Wildcats in a shootout
It took extra time, then a little more, but in the end the Islanders walked away with a 3-2 victory over the Moncton Wildcats.
The Islanders came out ready to play, opening the scoring just minutes in.
Rookie forward Nathaniel Doyon received a breakout pass from Islanders captain P.O. Joseph before wiring a wrist-shot past Moncton starter Matthew Waite, for his first career QMJHL goal.
The Islanders were not done there, as less than 3 minutes later the Islanders found themselves in the Wildcats zone when defencemen Hunter Drew boomed a slap shot from the point, beating Waite over the blocker.
The Isles took an early 2-0 lead and that’s where the score would stay after 20 minutes of action.
Coming into the second period down 2 goals, the Wildcats came out with a sense of urgency.
Just past the halfway point of the period Wildcats leading scorer Mika Cyr chipped a backhand shot over a sprawled out Matthew Welsh to cut the Islanders lead in half.
Just over a minutes later, after a questionable hit to defencemen Saku Vesterinen by forward Dylan Seitz, Gregor MacLeod stepped in to defend his teammate, dropping the gloves with Seitz.
MacLeod landed several good shots to open the tilt, eventually taking Seitz to the ice sealing his victory.
With the crowd still excited from the fight, rookie Jakob Pelletier skated down ice and outwaited Welsh before firing a puck into the open net.
After 40 minutes of action the score was tied, 2-2, with Wildcats outshooting the Isles 23-16.
The third period was physical, with both teams refusing to give an edge to their opponents.
The teams exchanged chances in the final 20 minutes of regulation but neither could break the tie, sending the game to overtime.
In the 3-on-3 action of overtime the teams again traded chances but the goaltenders stood tall, making one tremendous save after another.
After an overtime period which saw the Isles outshoot the Wildcats 4-2, the game continued into the shootout.
After the first seven shooters were stopped by Welsh and Waite, Moncton captain, and older brother of Matt, Nicholas Welsh lined up for his shot.
Nicholas worked his way down the ice but couldn’t beat his younger brother, who kicked the shot away with the pads.
Following this huge save, Sam King coasted to centre ice.
With the puck on his stick, King skated down to the right side
of Waite before snapping a shot five-hole to win the game for the Islanders.
The Islanders head back home after this one 2 points higher in the standings, and now must prepare for their Sunday afternoon tilt with the visiting Saint John Sea Dogs.
Puck drop is set for 3pm at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown.