QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Isles Bounce Back Strong against Sea Dogs Behind Brabenec's Multi-Goal Game

Published on December 11, 2021 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


After a disappointing Friday night where the Isles were held off the score sheet for one of the rare times this season, Jim Hulton was looking to shelve that loss against the Titan and have his boys come out strong when the puck dropped at 7 pm in Saint John. So far this season, the 2022 Memorial Cup hosts and the Isles have squared off four times this season, with the Isles capturing the victory in three of those meetings. Going into tonight's bout we knew two things, one, that the Isles would need a strong performance from Oliver Satny to give them time to settle in, and two, that the Isles offense had to find that spark again early and get the momentum on their side. Charlottetown was hungry coming out of the gates to wash the bitter taste of a 5-0 loss out of their mouths and get back into the win column with only four games left until the Christmas break.

The change in energy was evident right from the get-go in this one for the Islanders lineup. To start things off, it was Isles rookie Sam Archibald getting on his horse to intercept a pass from Sea Dogs defender William Villeneuve. Villeneuve forgot one of the most important lessons they teach you in minor hockey, don't pass the puck in front of your own net. Archibald intercepted the pass right in the slot where he ripped home his first career QMJHL goal past the gove-side of Lemieux at 5:22 into the opening frame. Then, at 10:36 into the first period, Jakub Brabenec continued building on his strong rookie year by potting his tenth of the season sending it past Lemieux to put the Isles up 2-0. Assisting on Brabenec's tally was Patrick Guay.

Shots favored the Sea Dogs 13-8 heading into the second frame.

The second frame kicked off with another first career QMJHL goal this time on the Sea Dogs side. Adam Bowness was able to get Saint John on the board at 4:15 into the frame when he was able to beat Satny and bring the Sea Dogs to within one. Assist on the tally went to Carter McCluskey. Then, it was the Isles powerplay responding just under four minutes later when Brett Budgell was able to kick a bouncing puck in front of the net over to Brabenec. Brabenec buried his second of the game into the open net to regain the Isles two-goal lead making it 3-1. Helping hands were Budgell and William Trudeau. At 15:37 into the period, Jeremie Poirier continued his hot streak when he skated in on the left side of the ice where he sniped the puck top corner over Satny's glove. Assisting on Poirier's perfectly placed goal was Ryan Francis.

Shots going into the final frame favored the Sea Dogs 27-19.

It was Charlottetown striking first in the final frame as captain Brett Budgell gave his squad some breathing room early. Budgell sent home his thirteenth of the season at 3:18 into the third period when he beat Lemieux on what the announcer's called a relatively innocent shot. Jakub Brabenec was credited with the assist on the goal that made it 4-2. Just over three minutes later it was Sea Dogs forward Josh Lawrence taking multiple whacks at a loose puck in the crease before ultimately burying it past Satny. Helpers on the score that brought the Dogs to within one were given to Ryan Francis and Jeremie Poirier. To seal things up for the Islanders it was Patrick Guay sending his 23rd of the season into the empty net, the buzzer sounded and the Isles got back into the win column taking down the Sea Dogs 5-3.

Final shots favored the Sea Dogs 37-29.

Three Stars of the Game:

Jakub Brabenec(CHA)- 2 goals and 1 assist.

Brett Budgell(CHA)- 1 goal and 1 assist.

Adam Bowness(SJ)- 1st career QMJHL goal.

Satny was able to do exactly what he was tasked with stopping 34 shots allowing his offense to regroup after last night and come out firing. Brabenec keeps looking better each game as he prepares to try and represent his country at the World Juniors. The Islanders swept last night under the rug quickly as they came out ready to win at TD Station. Charlottetown now remains with three games to play before the Christmas break with the next bout being Wednesday night over in Halifax. Puck drops at 7 pm.

Check out the Charlottetown Islanders Statistics

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2021


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