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Casey and Desruisseaux Explode Offensively as Isles Dominate Mooseheads

February 17, 2021 - Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) - Charlottetown Islanders News Release


The duo of Thomas Casey and Cedric Desruisseaux have been two of the league's top offensive players all season long. That didn't change Wednesday night.

The pair put forth incredible performances alongside their linemate Brett Budgell Wednesday night in Halifax. Casey picked up two goals and three assists, while Desruisseaux nabbed a hat trick and an assist of his own, as they led the Isles to a 7-0 defeat of the Halifax Mooseheads

"During the week we worked well as a line, working on plays through seems and executing on passes," said Casey on his line's offensive outburst. "We're happy that it came to fruition tonight."

Casey and Budgell have had a host of wingers alongside them since the season began, rotating through nearly the entire team before the 2021 holiday trading period united them with Desruisseaux.

"Ceddy is a lot of fun to play with," Casey said on his new linemate. "He really can bury the puck when he gets the chances and Brett and I have been enjoying feeding him. At the start of every year you do a lot of mixing and matching trying to find that chemistry, so it's been a lot of fun that we've found that chemistry."

Oscar Plandowski got the scoring started in the first period before Desruisseaux potted his first of the night, tapping in a puck on a wide open cage after some great passing pulled Mooseheads starter Alexis Gravel around the ice. The trio finished the first period with a combined five points on the two goals.

Their goal-scoring continued in the second as Casey netted the third goal of the game on the powerplay followed by Desruisseaux's second, a one-timer in tight on Gravel that came by way of a beautiful no-look pass from Casey. That goal tied Desruisseaux's career high of 24 goals on the season, originally set during the 2017-2018 season.

Patrick Guay opened the scoring in the third period, building on the momentum he established with his first two goals as an Islander in their last game against Cape Breton. Bailey Peach would find the streaking centre with a breakaway pass from the defensive zone and he'd make no mistake, picking the corner on Gravel for his fifth goal of the season.

Desruisseaux and Casey would complete their career games in the late stages of the final frame, starting with Desruisseaux's hat trick goal midway through the frame before Casey wrapped up the offensive outburst in the final seconds of the game, finishing off a great pass from William Trudeau in tight on Gravel for his 19th goal on the season.

Colten Ellis picked up yet another shutout over the Mooseheads, his fourth this season against Halifax alone. In five starts against the Mooseheads, Ellis has allowed just one goal. His 16th career blank sheet ties him with Alex Dubeau for second on the QMJHL's all-time list in that category.

As has become nearly commonplace under the new schedule, these two teams will do it all over again on Friday night at the Eastlink Centre. The PEI Brewing Company, the Factory Downtown, Outrider's Cookhouse, Boston Pizza, and Dooly's will all be showing the game, while Eastlink will be carrying it live on Friday Night Hockey! Finally, George Matthews and Cory Arsenault will have the call as as always on Fair Isle Ford Isles Radio!

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Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2021


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