QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Cormier Gets into the Record Books en Route to Isles Win over Voltigeurs

Published on December 8, 2021 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


Entering into this evening's bout with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, the Islanders sat in first place in the Eastern Conference and just one point out of first overall in the league. However, it wasn't all good tidings for the Isles as they were without leading point man Xavier Simoneau and veteran D-man Oscar Plandowski when tonight's action got underway. With the Voltigeurs eager to get back in the win column and hungry for some revenge on a depleted Isles squad, it was going to be no easy task to capture the two points and take the first overall spot. With it being Lukas Cormier's last game before taking off for Team Canada Camp, would he be able to leave the Island with some holiday cheers behind a hot Jacob Goobie, or would the Voltigeurs be stealing Charlottetown's Christmas spirit? When the puck dropped at 7 pm, it was anything but a silent night.

It only took two minutes into the opening frame for the Isles lethal powerplay to go to work. At 2:54 into the game, it was number 22 for number 16. Patrick Guay held onto the puck before absolutely sending a laser over the glove of Riley Mercer to put his squad ahead 1-0 right off the hop. Assisting on the tally were Jakub Brabenec and Lukas Cormier. A sneaky puck was able to make its way through multiple sets of legs before finding the stick of Voltigeurs forward Alexis Morin. Morin was right in the slot and able to send it easily into the open net while Goobie was still looking through the traffic. Helpers on the tying score went to Simon Hughes and Julien Rod. The Isles were able to bight back right before the break though, and I mean right before the break. With 0.2 seconds left on the clock, Jakub Brabenec sent a one-timer rocket way past Mercer for his 9th of the year and to take a 2-1 lead into the intermission. It was Isles captain Brett Budgell setting it up as well as Patrick Guay.

Shots favored the Isles 18-8 after one.

The Isles were able to strike fast out of the gate once again in the second frame. Ben Boyd managed to keep his stick just below the cross-bar to redirect a Noah Laaouan shot past Mercer for his third of the season. Helping hands went to Laaouan and Lukas Cormier. Next, it was Lukas Cormier tying the franchise record for most goals by a defense(career) with his 13th of the season and 50th career QMJHL goal. Cormier wasn't even phased by the Voltigeurs defender wrapped around him as he sniped one right over the glove of Mercer going bar-down for the score. William Trudeau and Jakub Brabenec were credited with the assists. At 16:59, Drummondville forward Luke Woodworth tipped one past Goobie on the powerplay to get them to within two scores before the break.

"It feels good. I've had a good time here on the Island for the past four years and it's good to reach a mark like that, I didn't even know until you brought it up." Lukas Cormier on how it feels to tie the franchise record for most goals by a defenseman.

Shots still favored the Isles 28-14 as they took the 4-2 lead into the final frame.

The third period was filled with more coaches yelling than goals scored. The offensive spark had seemingly been all used up in the first two periods as it was just hits and scrums that killed the clock in the third. Brett Budgell was able to get on a breakaway late in the game however and pot his 12th of the season on the empty net. Assisting on the final goal of the game were Lukas Cormier and Patrick Guay.

Final shots on goal favored the Isles 37-22 as they got back into the win column defeating the Voltigeurs 5-2.

"I think it's just an opportunity for some other people and I think that was evident tonight, some guys picked up. Brabenec has been good all year but I thought he went to another level with the absence of Simoneau and I thought our depth kids had a really good game. That's what it's all about, sometimes when you have misfortune it's an opportunity for someone else and that's what we're looking for here." Head Coach Jim Hulton on how his team plans to respond after being hit with the injury bug and losing some important guys to the World Junior Selection Camps.

Three Stars of the Game:

Lukas Cormier(CHA)- 1 goal and 3 assists.

Jakub Brabenec(CHA)- 1 goal and 2 assists.

Keiran Gallant(CHA)- Strong play on the penalty kill.

With tonight's win, the Islanders are officially the sole occupant of first place in the QMJHL leading the Sherbrooke PhÅ"nix by a point now. Lukas Cormier did deliver in his final game before he heads off to Team Canada Camp tomorrow as he tied the franchise record with Marc-André Gragnani for "Most Goals By A Defenseman" with 50 career goals. Jacob Goobie also continued his strong play standing tall and making some spectacular stops to keep the Voltigeurs to just two goals. Congratulations Lukas and good luck at Team Canada's World Junior Selection Camp!

Cormier had this to say on getting invited to Team Canada's World Junior Selection Camp. "It's a huge honor every time you get to represent your country and I'm going to give it the best I can to be on that team."

The Isles are next in action Friday night when the Acadie-Bathurst Titan come to Charlottetown. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm, Tickets are available at the Eastlink Centre Box Office in person (Monday to Friday 11 am to 5 pm) as well as before game time, online, or by phone at 902.629.6625. Make sure to get your tickets early and come on out to help your boys in black and purple protect the bridge.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2021


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