QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Isles Lose Goaltending Duel 2-1 to the Saint John Sea Dogs

January 5, 2024 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


Goaltenders dueled tonight as the Charlottetown Islanders fall to the Saint John Sea Dogs 2-1.

Carter Bickle stopped 32 of 34 shots and was perfect through two and a half periods as he performed well in the loss.

Scoreless first in back-to-back night

The goaltenders stole the show in the first period once again as both Bickle and Sea Dogs' netminder, Patrick Leaver, were perfect in the opening frame.

It was a chess match throughout most of the period as prime opportunities were limited for both teams.

The Isles were eventually rewarded with the first power play of the game as Saint John forward Danny Akkouche was sent to the box for hooking.

The power play ended early but due to an interference penalty against Ondrej Maruna, prompting a short 4-on-4 stint.

With the Sea Dogs on the power play, it was newly acquired forward Tyler Peddle who had the best chance offensively. Bickle was able to get across his crease and make the save.

At the end of the first period the Isles led in shots 11-9.

Michaud show in the second

Kency Pierre-Noël took a delay of game penalty to send the Isles to their third power play of the night, and second of the period just four and a half minutes in.

Then, Alexis Michaud took off. He found himself on a breakaway. He picked his target and didn't miss, scoring his ninth of the season. The power play marker was assisted by Marcus Kearsey (27) and Bickle (1).

Both Bickle and Leaver played well to close out the frame and the Isles led 1-0 going into the final period. They were also leading in shots 22-21.

Sea Dogs come back in the third

The third and final frame got off to a heated start. Ross Campbell was ejected from the game after being assessed a five-minute major penalty for boarding.

Joseph Ianniello took a cross-checking penalty at the same time resulting in 4-on-4 play for two minutes. It was then followed by a three minute Saint John power play.

The Islanders' penalty kill held their ground against the Sea Dogs' offence, giving them some momentum in the offensive zone.

But then, Vince Elie came over the blue line, crossed to the other side and ripped a shot through traffic to beat Bickle to tie the game at one goal apiece.

Then, after chances at either side of the ice, former Islander Drew Elliott gave the Sea Dogs their first lead of the game. He rushed up the right wing and while protecting the puck, he put it short side past Bickle.

Bickle was pulled for the extra attacker shortly after but the Isles couldn't convert, and lost 2-1 at the horn.

Kearsey was awarded second star with his assist on the Michaud goal.

Head coach Jim Hulton commented on the team's performance.

"We ran out of bodies there with the five-minute major and the flu bug going through us. I thought the guys gave them everything they had.

He's pleased with Bickle's play recently.

"He's been terrific. Since the Christmas break he's given us a chance to win every game. That's what you want out of your goalies and he was really good again tonight,' he said.

The second ranked team in the Q, the Halifax Mooseheads come to town on Sunday and Hulton knows what needs to be done.

"We gotta get a little more energy. We're going to get an important rest day tomorrow with this bug running through our community but we also just need to bring more offence."

Puck drop Sunday afternoon is at 3 p.m. Fans can tune into the game at MAX 93.1FM.

Check out the Charlottetown Islanders Statistics



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2024


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