Isles Put Damper on Final Night of Eagles' Season with 3-2 Victory
April 16, 2021 - Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) - Charlottetown Islanders News Release
It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but they all count.
The Charlottetown Islanders and Cape Breton Eagles found themselves in plenty of hot water with the referees throughout Friday night. A total of 63 penalty minutes were dished out as the Islanders defeated the Eagles 3-2 in Cape Breton's final regular season game of the season.
Penalties defined the first period as the two teams seemed to play the entire period with a man advantage. In total, 36 minutes were called after just 20 minutes of play, making it near impossible for either team to get momentum. As such, they'd head into the dressing room after the first period tied at 0-0.
The second period brought more penalties, but also an abundance of goals. The Eagles would kick off the scoring early on an Isles penalty kill; Dawson Stairs would throw a quick shot on Colten Ellis that would hit the post. The puck would carom right on to the stick of Émile Hegarty-Aubin. The 20-year-old forward would make no mistake and give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
That lead would evaporate quickly thanks to Ben Boyd. The big forward would corral a Ryan Maynard clearing attempt in the neutral zone and break in on a 2-on-1 with Brett Budgell. The rookie elected to hold and Boyd whipped a hard wrist shot past Grimard to tie the game.
The game would stay tied until the middle of the second when Charlottetown would score two quick tallies. On another 2-on-1 break, Cédric Desruisseaux would find Thomas Casey with a spot-on cross-ice pass and the Charlottetown product would make no mistake on the one-timer, blowing the puck past Grimard to take the lead.
William Trudeau would add a little cushion to the Islanders lead not long after, getting a feed from Patrick Leblanc at the blueline and walking into the slot before burying it on Grimard. That goal would be Trudeau's eighth of the season and the eventual game winner; Cape Breton would add a goal late but it wouldn't be enough to overcome the Islanders in their final game of this pandemic-shortened season.
Colten Ellis made 21 saves for the victory while Patrick Leblanc picked up two assists. Desruisseaux, Budgell, Maynard, and Lukas Cormier each picked up single assists.
The Islanders now head from Sydney to Halifax as they take on the Mooseheads tomorrow night in a rematch of Tuesday's fiery matchup. The three suspended Charlottetown players will return to the lineup in a game you can hear live on Ocean 100's Saturday Night Hockey or watch live on Eastlink Community TV!
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Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2021
- Eagles Edged by Islanders as Eagle Season Ends at C200 - Cape Breton Eagles
- Isles Put Damper on Final Night of Eagles' Season with 3-2 Victory - Charlottetown Islanders
- Titan Edge Sea Dogs with Late Goal - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Val-d'Or Will Not Host the First Round - QMJHL
- NB Playoff Series Announced - Moncton Wildcats
- Schedule Update for the Maritimes Division - Saint John Sea Dogs
- QMJHL Announces Updated New Brunswick Playoff Format - Moncton Wildcats
- Schedule Update for the Maritimes Division - Charlottetown Islanders
- QMJHL Announces Conclusion of Season for Eagles, Mooseheads - Cape Breton Eagles
- Schedule Update for the Maritimes Division - QMJHL
- All Roads Lead to Sydney as Isles and Eagles Meet in Friday Night Matchup - Charlottetown Islanders
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