Sports stats



QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

McDonald's 37 Saves Help Isles Snap Skid

November 26, 2015 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


The Charlottetown Islanders got back in the win column on Thursday night with a 3-2 victory over the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

Rydstrom had the game winner in the third and Mason McDonald made 37 saves in net in the victory.

"I felt great (in net)," McDonald, who was named first star, said after the game. "Getting back to having fun and being myself in the crease, I did that tonight."

The Isles came close to sending the previous night's game against Quebec to overtime, and McDonald said the team carried the momentum over into Thursday's game.

"We had a great third period yesterday. We used that momentum from yesterday to take it to Sherbrooke today."

Rydstrom said it was nice to see the team get rewarded for their effort.

"It feels amazing. We keep it together and act like a family and battle through tough times."

McDonald said the players have been keeping their spirits high despite the recent struggles.

"We're having fun out there, that's the main thing. (We were) all smiles around the room today, lots of positive energy, and it led to the win."

The scoring got underway with a lucky bounce going the Islanders' way in the second period. On the power play, Oliver Cooper fired a shot on net and the puck sat loose on the goal line. Goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick tried to clear the puck out, but instead pushed it over the line to make it 1-0 at 3:51.

The lead didn't last too long, as four minutes later the Phoenix were able to get on the board on their 22nd shot of the game. Julien Pelletier put home a rebound while Jonathan Duchesne was in the box for cross-checking.

The Isles were back on top a couple of minutes later, as Carl Gervais ripped one from the faceoff dot for his second of the season midway through the period.

In the third, the Isles had a bad break as Will Thompson was given a delay of game penalty for accidentally tipping the puck over the glass on a penalty kill. The Islanders killed the first of the two penalties, but as Keith Getson came out of the box while still down a man, a miscommunication led to a man being left open and Pelletier was able to pick up his second of the game at 7:55.

"That's bad luck," said Head Coach Jim Hulton of the Thompson penalty. "He's trying to do the right thing and bat the puck into the corner and it pops off his stick and goes up."

But later in the period, just after a power play expired, Filip Rydstrom's 7th of the season put the Isles back in front with a backhanded wraparound.

"There was about eight minutes left, so it felt really good," he said.

The Phoenix had a late surge, but the Isles were able to hold on for the win.

Hulton said he was pleased with the team's effort to put together a complete game.

"It's nice to see the guys get rewarded. We're a tired club right now - four games in (seven) days. To be able to battle back and not fold when they tied it in the third is a really good sign for our club.

"(There were) a lot of reasons to quit in this game. Chlapik and Goulet, it's the highest compete level I've seen from those guys in back-to-back games all season, so that's a great sign, and I thought Mason was as Mason should be. A lot of positives to move forward going into Sunday."

Check out the Charlottetown Islanders Statistics



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Charlottetown Islanders Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central