QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Bickle Blanks Sea Dogs: Isles Win 2-0

February 9, 2024 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


The Charlottetown Islanders blank the Saint John Sea Dogs 2-0 in the first ever 90s night at the Eastlink Centre Friday night.

Carter Bickle earned first-star honours for his first shutout in the Canadian Hockey League, stopping all 23 shots faced.

Matthew Butler earned second star with a goal and an assist as he stays hot.

Clean but scoreless first

The Isles were quick to hold possession to open 90s night as Butler and Kyle Powers each recorded shots in the first two minutes of the game.

It set the tone for the rest of the opening frame.

The Sea Dogs did however test Bickle, but he turned chances from Eriks Mateiko and Olivier Groulx aside.

Will Shields ripped a shot off the crossbar but the puck just stayed out.

Then, Will Allen had a great chance of his own going coast-to-coast but Sea Dogs netminder Justin Robinson shut the door.

The Isles led in shots 13-7 going into the intermission

Isles double-dip, lead 2-0 after second

It was a similar start to the first period with two quick shots from Owen Conrad. Robinson kept the door shut though.

Eventually, Charlottetown was awarded the first man advantage of the game.

Alexis Michaud (14) capitalized on the power play. He pounced on a rebound and pocketed the game opening goal. Shields (10) and Butler (27) assisted.

The Sea Dogs started to push back but Bickle continued to play hard, turning away everything that came his way.

Then, Butler (7) buried a huge insurance goal beating Robinson five-hole to double the Isles' lead to two goals. Shields (11) added his second helper of the game.

"I think my whole line played really well, Hughes, Shields and I were clicking all night and we were able to find some open space and create some chances and we were able to put some into the net," Butler said.

Matteo Mann then sent the Isles to another power play after an interference call.

Michael Horth, Cole Huckins and Conrad all had chances turned aside by Robinson and Saint John killed off the penalty.

The Isles would take their 2-0 lead into the second intermission and dominated the shot count 29-13.

Bickle locks it down, Isles come out on top in third

Early in the final frame, the Isles took a bench minor for too many men on the ice, and Allen served the two minutes.

The Sea Dogs had some chances but Bickle shut them down. The Islanders killed off the penalty.

Anthony Flanagan had a chance off the rush but Robinson kept his solid night up with a pad save.

Robinson was called to the bench for the extra attacker for Saint John but the Isles managed the puck well, keeping the puck away from Bickle.

Charlottetown closed it out with a 2-0 win. They outshot Saint John 44-23, but were outhit 25-18.

Bickle felt great about his first career shutout.

"It was long-waited for sure but I'm just happy we could do it on our 90s night as well as our first home win in 2024."

Tomorrow night, the Isles travel to Halifax to take on the division leading Mooseheads. Head coach Jim Hulton knows what has to be done.

"I think it's going to be the same thing tomorrow, It's a game of patience," he said. "It will require that same commitment from tonight, five guys on the puck... Hopefully we can carry the confidence into tomorrow's game."

Puck drop at the Scotiabank Centre is at 7 p.m.

Check out the Charlottetown Islanders Statistics



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2024


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