QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Isles Refuse to Break, Defeat Titan in Extra Time

Published on February 22, 2020 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


Push back was the name of the game for the Charlottetown Islanders on Saturday night in Bathurst.

Faced with a deficit entering the third period, the Islanders would refuse to break, eventually forcing extra time before Cedric Desruisseaux sent the Isles home with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

"Tonight was a game that required patience and persistence from our group," Islanders head coach Jim Hulton said following the victory. "We stuck with our game plan and caused a lot of traffic in front of their net, which ultimately led to three goals."

Ahead of this weekend's games, the Isles said they worked on storming the crease to pick up loose rebounds. The strategy paid immediate dividends; less than five minutes in to the game, the Isles crash the net on a loose rebound. Ethan Crossman eventually finds the bouncing puck and bangs it in on his former team, giving Crossman his 11th goal of the season.

The Titan would tie it up near the end of the first period at the tail-end of a powerplay. Mark Rumsey would streak in to the zone and get a shot on Welsh. He'd follow up on his own rebound and go high on Welsh for what was also Rumsey's 11th goal of the season.

Mathieu Desgagnes would give the Titan the lead in the 2nd period, but the Islanders remained steadfast in their approach. The team peppered Bathurst starter Tristan Berube with shot after shot, but the veteran netminder stood tall between the pipes for his team.

Eventually, the Islanders' push would yield results. Lukas Cormier would awaken from a goal scoring slumber, unloading a cannon of a slapshot from the high slot that blew past Berube for his 6th goal of the season, tying the game up midway through the third period. Minutes later, Nikita Alexandrov would complete a wraparound play perfectly, tucking a puck past Berube to give the Isles a 3-2 lead with minutes remaining in regulation.

Unfortunately, the Titan would tie it up before the end of regulation. Desgagnes would follow-up on a broken play in front of Welsh, beating the Isles starter short side with a sneaking shot for his second goal of the game.

Despite the late goal, once again the Islanders would not break. The Isles would keep the momentum rolling in the extra frame, with Desruisseaux almost taking the victory earlier in the period. Alexandrov would slide a puck in front that banked in off his linemate, but the goal would be called back as it was determined Desruisseaux directed the puck in with his foot.

Luckily for the Islanders, Desruisseaux remained unflappable. The diminutive forward came out in the next shift and broke hard to the net, beating Berube low for his second game-winning goal in overtime this season.

Berube was outstanding in goal for Bathurst, making 46 saves in defeat. Alexandrov would finish the game with a goal and 2 assists, while Cormier also added a multi-point game with a goal and assist. Thomas Casey also added two assists, while Chris McQuaid and Noah Laaouan added single assists.

"We refused to sag after surrendering the lead late and dominated the overtime," added Hulton. "We're excited to get back on home ice tomorrow."

The Isles and Titan will renew hostilities tomorrow afternoon at the Eastlink Centre on Kids Run the Show day! The next generation takes over tomorrow's in-game presentation - tickets are available at the Eastlink Centre box office, by phone at 902-629-6625, or online at https://boxoffice.eastlinkcentrepei.com!

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2020


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