QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Casey the OT Hero Once Again as Isles Head in to Christmas Break with Big Victory over Eagles

Published on December 14, 2019 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


There was a goaltending showdown in Charlottetown on Saturday night.

Matthew Welsh and Kevin Mandolese stood on their head for their teams, making sure it wasn't going to be an easy goal that got past them and gave their opponent the victory. Unfortunately for the Cape Breton Eagles, it would be a bouncing shot that ended it.

Thomas Casey would score in the extra frame, and the Charlottetown Islanders defeated the Eagles 3-2 in the final game before the Christmas break.

"Welsh was the big difference in the game," said Isles head coach Jim Hulton on his veteran's performance. "I didn't think we played particularly well, but these last games right before Christmas are typically a dog's breakfast; to be able to persevere, stick around, and get the win, it was great."

Xavier Bernard would get the scoring going for the Isles at the tail end of a powerplay. The big New Jersey Devils defenseman would blast a slap shot through traffic and beat Mandolese cleanly. The goal would give Bernard his fourth of the season and the Isles a 1-0 lead.

It would take some time, thanks to Welsh, but the Eagles would respond late in the second period. Ryan Francis would find himself alone in front of Welsh on a broken play in the defensive end. The NHL Draft-eligible forward would find the open twine and bury the puck for his fifteenth of the season to tie the game up.

As has been the the case most of the season for the Isles, penalties made their way in to the game and played a factor. This time, the factor was a late goal; at the start of a powerplay, Mathias Laferriere would get the puck at the top of the circle and fire a wrist shot through traffic. The puck would get through cleanly, giving the St. Louis Blues draft pick his fourth goal of the year.

The Isles didn't want to send the hometown crowd home disappointed in the final game before Christmas, and it showed with their determined play late. As the third period dwindled down, Zac Beauregard would pounce on a rebound to the left of Mandolese after a Brendon Clavelle point shot. The diminutive forward would make no mistake, tying the game up with his fourth of the season and forcing overtime.

As the extra frame died down, penalties played a factor again, but this time it was to the benefit of Charlottetown. After Laferriere took a high-sticking penalty late, the Islanders would pressure Mandolese hard to get the game-winner. After a mad scramble in front, Thomas Casey eventually found the puck and tucked it past Mandolese, stealing the extra point for the Islanders.

Welsh was superb in the game, making 39 saves in the victory. Beauregard finished the game with a goal and an assist, while William Trudeau, Brendon Clavelle, Lukas Cormier, Brett Budgell, and Kevin Gursoy each picked up assists.

The Isles wrap up a challenging first half of the season, one where the team played on three Quebec road trips and will finish with more games played than any other team in the league. Given the toughness of the schedule, Hulton said he's happy with his team's overall play as the Christmas break begins.

"It's been a hell of a first half, with 20 wins," explained Hulton. "This was one of the toughest schedules I've seen in a long time, combined with injuries and all that. We're really proud of how they've battled through all of the different adversities they've had to face and managed to have a successful half."

From the Charlottetown Islanders organization, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We'll see you all back at the Eastlink Centre on Sunday, December 29th as we take on the Acadie-Bathurst Titan!

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 14, 2019


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