Islanders outlast Voltigeurs at home
The Charlottetown Islanders just keep on winning.
The Isles have now won 17 of their last 21 games, defeating the Drummondville Voltigeurs for the second time this season.
The Islanders continued to get the most out of Matt Welsh on his most recent hot-streak, as he started in net again on Thursday. In goal for Drummondville was 17-year-old Daniel Moody.
The Voltigeurs came into the game on Thursday night leading the league in goal scoring with 118 and their top ranked offence opened the scoring in this one.
After a scoreless first period that saw Drummondville outshoot the Isles 16-10, the team’s entered the second period with an increased intensity.
Just over five minutes into the period Drummondville’s Morgan Adams-Moissan fired a shot past Welsh to open the scoring.
The Islanders responded minutes later with a goal of their own.
After a Brendon Clavicle shot from the point bounced around in the crease, Charlottetown native Thomas Casey got his stick on the rebound, beating Moody to tie the game.
After 40 minutes of action the score was once again tied, as the team’s entered the second intermission deadlocked at 1-1.
As the third period rolled around, the offence for both teams came to life.
Less than four minutes into the third period Isles forward Pascal Aquin fired a shot past Moody to give the Isles the lead.
Just under 10 minutes later, Voltigeurs captain Nicolas Guay got a piece of a bouncing puck, deflecting it past Welsh to the game.
It wouldn’t take long for the Islanders to respond though, as just 33 seconds later it was Matthew Grouchy who burst up the left-wing before letting go a prefect wrist-shot, beating Moody over the shoulder from a near impossible angle.
With the Isles now back in control, they were able to add to their lead on a Keith Getson power play goal.
As the final minutes ticked off the clock, Drummondville managed to get one of the goals back, but it wasn’t enough.
As the final buzzer sounded the Islanders exited the ice with the victory, a feeling the team has grown accustom to as of late.
Head Coach Jim Hulton has received scoring from all over his lineup this season and it has been a key to the team’s success this season.
“Night after night there is contributions throughout the lineup. We’re a four line, six defence team on most nights and it’s fun to be a part of a true team concept.
The Isles have another game at home on Saturday and Hulton’s Hustlers will be ready.
“We have a tough Gatineau team coming in on Saturday, so we’ll enjoy this one tonight and set our sights on Gatineau tomorrow.”
Up next for the Islanders is a Saturday night battle with the Gatineau Olympiques. The Olympiques currently sit in 10th in the QMJHL and come into town just in time for a 7pm matchup with your Charlottetown Islanders.