QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Desruisseaux Scores Twice, Isles Offense Comes up Big in Victory over Sea Dogs

Published on January 3, 2020 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


Cedric Desruisseaux woke up in Saint John.

The 19-year-old forward was the difference in the third period, scoring twice including the game winner, as the Charlottetown Islanders defeated the Saint John Sea Dogs 4-1 in the first of back-to-back games.

Brett Budgell got the Islanders on the board early with a powerplay goal. Off a deflected shot, the puck caromed on to Budgell's stick and he'd tap it in to an open net as Zachary Bouthillier slid the opposite direction. The goal would be Budgell's 14th of the season and give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.

Things would get tense on the ice not long after thanks to Ethan Crossman. The veteran would catch Josh Lawrence with his head down over centre ice and flatten him, drawing the ire of Matthew Gould. The two would drop the mitts and engage in a spirited tilt. Crossman would exit the game with a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct.

With Max-Antoine Melançon already missing the game, Keiran Gallant injured, and Gaetan Jobin and Nikita Alexandrov at the World Juniors, the Isles were tasked with finishing the game with just 10 forwards.

Momentum almost swung in Saint John's favour in the third period, but it was actually the Islanders who would extend their lead. Desruisseaux appeared to score at one end of the ice, but the puck bounced immediately out and play continued on. The play continued for a few minutes until a puck crossed the line in favour of Saint John. After a quick review, the call was reversed as Desruisseaux was awarded his fifth of the season.

The Islanders would extend their lead thanks to Desruisseaux again. Thomas Casey would fire a shot on net in the midst of a mad scramble. Desruisseaux would find a loose puck under a flailing Bouthillier and poke it in for his sixth of the season.

Charles Savoie would add a goal for the Sea Dogs but it wasn't enough. Liam Peyton would score in to the empty net and give the Isles the victory.

Matthew Welsh made 27 saves for the victory. Casey would finish with two assists while Liam Peyton would also have a goal and an assist, establishing a career-high in points. Noah Laaouan, Ethan Crossman, and Lukas Cormier all added single assists.

The two teams will do it all over again tomorrow night as they're set to face off once again at TD Station in Saint John! You can catch all the action with Cory Arsenault and George Matthews on Ocean 100's Saturday Night Hockey starting at 6:45, with puck drop getting underway at 7:00pm!

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2020


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