QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Isles Get a Point But Lose to the Mooseheads 3-2 in Overtime

Published on January 7, 2024 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


There were shades of playoff hockey in front of 2,744 faithful fans as the Charlottetown Islanders fell to the Halifax Mooseheads 3-2 in overtime.

Carter Bickle started his eighth game in a row and looked strong in the loss, earning third star of the game. Since the beginning of 2024, Bickle has posted a .929 save percentage..

Scoreless, disciplined first period

Halifax held all the pressure for a lot of the first half of the opening frame, leading in shots 6-0 seven minutes into the game.

Owen Conrad used his size to his advantage and recorded some blocked shots early as well, helping out Bickle.

Simon Hughes eventually got a chance to go one-on-one with the goaltender, but flipped the shot wide.

The penalty boxes stayed empty throughout the first period as both teams played a clean game.

The Mooseheads led in shots going into the intermission 11-6.

Action picks up in the middle frame

It took a little over seven minutes into the second period for the game's first goal to be scored.

Halifax' Markus Vidicek was the one to do it. A rebound popped out to him and he put it in the back of the net for his team-leading 30th goal of the season.

Not long after, the Isles were awarded the first power play of the game as Mooseheads newcomer Lou-Félix Denis took an interference penalty.

Despite some chances, the Mooseheads' penalty kill unit did their job well, but the defence wasn't so strong at even strength.

It was Giovanni Morneau (13) who broke through Mooseheads goaltender Jack Milner. He ripped a shot over the far side to tie the game at one goal apiece.

That's how the score would stay going into the third period. Halifax still led in shots 24-15.

Back and forth final stanza not enough

This time it didn't take long to get the offence going. Ross Campbell (8) took a feed from Isaac Vos (11) and capitalised on an open net to give the Isles their first lead of the game. Simon Duguay (3) also assisted on the goal.

"Me and Vos, we just had that chemistry from our Knights days," Campbell said. "He gave me a freebie there when I had an open net."

Halifax pushed back. Their offence picked up the pace and eventually got through Bickle again.

This time it was Mathieu Cataford. The puck popped out to him after a scrum in front of the goal and he took advantage and tied the game.

In the dying moments of regulation, the Isles held pressure to try to take the lead. Chances from Marcus Kearsey, set up by Will Allen, were turned aside by Milner and this game needed overtime.

Penalty late in extra time sealed the deal

It was an even start to overtime but as the game inched closer to another shootout, a high-sticking penalty was called against Cole Huckins.

Halifax' power play unit went to work and in his first game with the club, Denis was able to put away the winner for the Mooseheads.

Final shots in the game were 35-23 in favour of the Mooseheads.

Head coach Jim Hulton commented on the game afterwards.

"I thought it was a tight checking, low-scoring game. It was a playoff style game," he said.

He was pleased with what the two new faces brought to the ice with Allen and Max Jardine.

"Will (Allen) has had some experience in our league, he brings some speed and pushback that we need to have more of in the lineup. We're excited to see where he fits," he said. "First impressions were great, I think Max (Jardine) is a solid, steady, dependable defender. He's a strong kid and makes simple plays. It's exactly what we're looking for and we're excited to see what he brings to the lineup."

Allen seemed confident after the game playing on the first line for the first time in his career.

"I really worked for it and I think over the last couple games played I've earned my spot," he said. "I think I need to be able to move pucks quicker and finish my checks more and I think I'll be good."

The Islanders hit the ice next Thursday, Jan. 11 as they host the Victoriaville Tigres. Puck drop at the Eastlink Centre is at 7 p.m.

Check out the Charlottetown Islanders Statistics



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2024


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