Isles Take a Close One in Bathurst
Published on November 23, 2018 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release
Dakota Lund-Cornish doesn't get many opportunities to start in place of Matthew Welsh, but when he does he makes the most of it.
The second-year netminder won his fourth consecutive start for Charlottetown, defeating the Acadie-Bathurst Titan by a score of 2-1 in front of nearly 2000 Titan fans.
The game started with steady back-and-forth pace, as both teams tried to work the puck in to the offensive zone for high quality chances. Charlottetown would break the stalemate midway through the first period, and it would be courtesy of the team's top unit. On a 3-on-2 odd-man rush, Thomas Casey would snap a pass to Brett Budgell down low and he'd tip it past Titan starter Mark Grametbauer to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead. For Budgell, that would be his 11th goal of the season.
The trio wasn't done there. Just a few minutes later on a delayed penalty, Pierre-Olivier Joseph would find Nikita Alexandrov with a beautiful stretch pass in to the offensive zone. Alexandrov would dance around the Titan defender before burying it on Grametbauer for his 13th goal of the season, matching his goal total from all of last season.
The second period yielded little offense for either side, as the two teams wrestled for control of the game. What little offense was generated was quickly thwarted by the men between the pipes. Grametbauer and Lund-Cornish remained steadfast in their approach in goal, stopping what pucks did come their way.
The goaltending duel continued in to the third period, when the Titan began to pour it on a little thicker from the outset. Once again though, Dakota Lund-Cornish stood tall in net for the Isles, turning aside every opportunity that arose.
Bathurst finally broke through the wall midway through the third period. On an Islanders powerplay, Liam Leonard streaked down the right wing and put a puck on net. The puck bounced around in front of Lund-Cornish before Marc-Andre LeCouffe got a stick on it and tucked it in to the net for a shorthanded goal. For LeCouffe, that would be his sixth goal of the season.
The Titan would pull Grametbauer late for the extra attacker, but it wasn't enough to get the game tied up, as the Isles would lock down the defensive end and come away with the victory, remaining undefeated in regulation over the past five games.
Lund-Cornish was excellent in nets for Charlottetown, recording 22 saves in the victory. Grametbauer was equally as impressive, recording 21 saves in the loss.
Despite the victory head coach Jim Hulton saw room for improvement for his team, especially in staying out of the penalty box. The Isles had six penalties in comparison to the Titan's three.
"We were fortunate enough to escape tonight with two points." said Hulton. "Lund-Cornish and the penalty kill unit came up big in the 3rd period after we repeatedly lost momentum through our lack of discipline."
"We expect a much stronger effort tomorrow."
The action doesn't cease for Charlottetown, as they head home to take on the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Saturday night at 7:00pm. Don't forget that this is a Cyber Saturday game; head to https://boxoffice.eastlinkcentrepei.com and use the promo code BOGO50 to receive buy one, get one 50% off tickets! Can't make it to the game? Tune in to George Matthews and Cory Arsenault on Ocean 100 for Saturday Night Hockey!
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from November 23, 2018
- Isles Take a Close One in Bathurst - Charlottetown Islanders
- Islanders Play First of Three Games in a Row Tonight in Bathurst - Charlottetown Islanders
- Mode Mobile x Teixeira Photographie x Olympiques Campaign Launches November 28 - Gatineau Olympiques
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