QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Isles Lose Hard Fought Battle 4-3 to the Eagles

Published on March 22, 2024 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


Charlottetown, PE - The Charlottetown Islanders couldn't come back from a third period goal from Brayden Schmitt, losing 4-3 in a physical affair with the Cape Breton Eagles.

Aksels Ozols earned the start tonight but was eventually relieved by Carter Bickle in the second period. Ozols stopped 14 of 17 shots while Bickle stopped 21 of 22 shots but was credited with the loss.

Island native Simon Hughes earned second star of the night scoring two goals in the loss. Tonight marks the first time Hughes hit the 20-goal mark in his QMJHL career.

Isles jump to a lead early

It took four minutes for the first whistle to be blown after the opening draw.

After that, the Isles got straight to work. Cole Huckins carried the puck towards the goal where he managed to get it across the crease for Alexis Michaud. Michaud fed it to the slot for Ross Campbell. While Eagles netminder Nicolas Ruccia was down for the count, Campbell buried his 12th goal of the year into the empty net to open the scoring.

Huckins' assist on the goal was the 200th point of his Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League career.

"It feels pretty good. It's a big accomplishment that I'm proud of and I couldn't have done it without this group today," Huckins said. "I think Ross (Campbell) and Mich (Alexis Michaud) made my life pretty easy tonight."

Former Islander Lucas Romeo then had a chance in his first return to the Eastlink Centre, but was denied by Ozols.

Then, after a broken play in front of the net, Hughes continued the trend of P.E.I. natives scoring as he managed to get his 20th of the season to double their lead to 2-0. Carl-Etienne Michel had an assist on the goal in his first game returning to the lineup.

Soon after, the Eagles brought it back to within one. Charles-Antoine Lavallée snuck a shot through Ozols to make it 2-1.

Cape Breton went on the power play with just under two minutes left in the opening frame after a Max Jardine high-sticking penalty.

Olivier Houde found himself with a lot of time and space and he fired a shot far-side on goal, but Ozols said no. He flashed the leather making a spectacular glove save.

Cape Breton led in shots after the first 13-11.

Eagles fly high to start second, but tied at 3 after 2

The Eagles drew a power play to open the second period and they capitalised quickly. Houde buried his 30th of the season to tie the game up at two goals apiece.

It only took 28 more seconds for the Eagles to take the lead. Lavallée managed to get one by Ozols to make it 3-2. Bickle then came in for relief.

The Eagles continued to press. Bickle was put right to work, having to turn aside Luke Pattersson, Tomas Cibulka and Zach Biggar to keep it at just a one goal deficit.

Jacob Newcombe then was sent to the penalty box for interference, sending Charlottetown to the power play.

They took full advantage. Hughes buried his second goal of the night to tie the game at three. Campbell and Huckins each recorded their second points of the night with assists.

The game was all tied at three going into the second intermission. The Eagles led in shots 27-19.

Eagles shut down the Isles in third

Lavallée and Étienne Desjardins both tested Bickle in the first minute of the third period but he stood strong to keep the game tied.

Michaud started playing more physical as he laid an open ice hit as the game started to become more chippy.

The Isles were then given a power play chance. After video review, it was determined that Xavier Daigle shot the puck over the glass without a deflection.

Will Shields and Michael Horth had the best chances of the man advantage but Ruccia kept his composure and kept the game even.

Romeo and Cibulka came back the other way after the penalty expired and tested Bickle once again, but were both denied.

Will Allen then was called for tripping.

While on the power play, Cape Breton scored the eventual game winner. Brayden Schmitt found a rebound and buried it to restore the Eagles' lead.

Charlottetown started to push back. Kyle Powers and Matthew Butler led the way, but they couldn't find a way to beat Ruccia.

Owen Conrad was playing the puck well and found himself in a great spot to shoot the puck, but Ruccia once again stood strong.

With Bickle on the bench, Michaud sent one more chance on goal but the Eagles shut the Islanders down, beating them 4-3.

The Isles were held without a point in the standings at home for the first time in eight games.

Final shots were 39-28 in favour of Cape Breton.

Despite the loss, head coach Jim Hulton was satisfied with how the team battled to the end.

"I loved our game. I thought it was a perfect practice ground for what we're going to see next weekend," he said. "We had a lapse of about seven minutes where we gave up two goals and ultimately it was the difference in the game but I liked how we responded after that and we got into the battle."

These teams will meet again tomorrow at the Eastlink Centre to close out the regular season. Puck drop at the Eastlink Centre is at 4 p.m.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2024


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