QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Aksels Ozols Shines In A 4-2 Win Over The Shawinigan Cataractes

Published on December 1, 2023 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


The Islanders' winless streak stops at six games, overcoming the Shawinigan Cataractes 4-2.

Eventual first star, Aksels Ozols was the MVP for the Isles tonight as he earned his seventh win of the season stopping 24 of 26 shots.

Once again, the Islanders were a man down early as Lucas Romeo took a roughing penalty responding to a hit on Marcus Kearsey in the corner, but Charlottetown's penalty kill started strong.

Not long after, it was Charlottetown's turn on the power play. Jordan Forget went to the box for holding.

Unfortunately, it didn't click to start.

Ozols was locked in right from puck drop, making a breakaway save and stopping other high-quality chances from Shawinigan.

Isaac Vos stopped a puck from crossing the goal line, keeping it scoreless.

The offence couldn't get going in the first period as the Isles only recorded three shots on goal in the frame. Shawinigan had 11.

The second period was better for Charlottetown. It was Island power as three P.E.I. natives scored in the frame.

It all started when on the power play. Vos buried a one-time shot from the point for his first goal of the season, opening the scoring. Owen Conrad and Matthew Butler each added assists.

Five minutes later, Simon Hughes kept knocking at a loose puck and eventually squeaked it through Cataractes goaltender, Rémi Delafontaine to double the Isles' lead. Alexis Michaud and Anthony Flanagan assisted.

Then, with just over a minute left in the frame, Brett Arsenault rounded up the P.E.I. hat trick as he was able to get in for a 1-on-1 with Delafontaine. He roofed it to put the Isles up 3-0. Giovanni Morneau had his first of two points in the game with an assist, and Conrad added his second assist.

Lou-Félix Denis came back the other way and shot a loose puck in front of Ozols into the back of the net after a broken play in front of the goal. That brought the Cataractes back within two going into the second intermission.

The Isles put up seven shots in the period, bringing their total to 10 after two. Shawinigan was still outshooting them though as they had a total of 20.

It was quick to the scoreboard for Morneau to open the third period. The puck bounced off of his skate high in the slot and it just slid through the congestion in front of the net, and eventually Delafontaine. Cole Huckins stayed hot with another point, adding an assist while Vos continued his strong play with his second point of the game.

Romeo then took a major penalty for a check to the head. He would be given a game-misconduct for the hit.

While killing the penalty, Kyle Powers got called for tripping, putting Shawinigan on a 5-on-3 power play.

They capitalised quickly. Félix Lacerte scored just 11 seconds after the faceoff to start the two-man advantage to bring the game back within two.

Ozols kept everything else out of the net, and the penalty kill unit continued to clear the puck and no more damage was done.

With momentum on their side, the Cataractes pulled Delafontaine for the extra attacker.

The Islanders did well keeping chances away from Ozols. Powers, Hughes and Michael Horth all had chances on the empty net, but all missed.

No worries though as they closed out the game on top 4-2, despite being outshot 26-14. They were also outhit by Shawinigan 27-26.

Charlottetown wraps up their three-game set tomorrow as they head into Québec City to take on the Remparts.

Puck drop at the Centre Vidétron is at 5 p.m. AST and 4 p.m. EST.

Check out the Charlottetown Islanders Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central