The Isles Bounce Back With A Wild 6-5 Win Over The Saint John Sea Dogs
October 27, 2023 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release
The Isles come out with a win in a high-scoring affair over the Saint John Sea Dogs 6-5 in a shootout.
Aksels Ozols tended the goal for the Islanders tonight, stopping 33 of 38 shots in the win and first-star Michael Horth had two goals and two assists for four points on the night.
It was quick to the power play for the Isles as Jacob Beaulieu took an interference call just over three minutes into the game, though Sea Dogs goaltender Justin Robinson kept the door shut early.
Not long after, the captain once again broke through as Horth scored his thirteenth goal of the season on a breakaway to extend his league lead.
Less than three minutes later though, Saint John responded. Vince Élie scored his fifth of the season, beating Ozols over his glove, tying the game up at one goal apiece.
The Sea Dogs retained pressure from there. Despite multiple attempts, they couldn't beat Ozols a second time and they would go into the intermission tied 1-1.
The shots were also tied at the end of the frame at 12 apiece.
It didn't take long for Lucas Romeo to redirect his fifth goal of the season past Robinson to restore the Isles lead. Horth and Marcus Kearsey added assists on the marker.
Saint John forward Beaulieu was awarded a penalty shot shortly after, but Ozols made a glove save keeping the Isles ahead.
Just under a minute later, they doubled up as Ross Campbell buried his third of the season after he was fed a pass from the corner by Matthew Butler. Owen Conrad had a helper on the goal as well.
The action packed second period continued as Pavel Simek brought the Sea Dogs back within one goal just three minutes later.
Both Ozols and Robinson kept the door shut for the rest of the frame. Ozols stopped 10 of 11 in the period but Robinson turned aside 15 of 17.
Total shots going into the second intermission were 29-23 in favour of the Isles.
The Sea Dogs were awarded a power play early in the third and Joseph Ianniello buried a one-timer to tie the game.
Saint John would take the lead not long after as their captain, Peter Reynolds blasted one past Ozols making it 4-3 for the Sea Dogs.
The momentum went back the other way, but despite chances, Eriks Mateiko took it back to the Isles end and beat Ozols, extending their lead to two goals.
The Isles didn't give up though and we're awarded a power play. While a man up, Horth scored his second of the game, and fourteenth of the season off of a tip from Kearsey's shot, bringing them back within one. Cole Huckins added his fourth assist of the year on the play.
Not even a minute later, the game was even again. Giovanni Morneau buried his second of the season off of a rebound. Isaac Vos and Horth had assists.
Morneau's goal sent this game to overtime.
It was back and forth throughout the extra frame. Notably, Huckins and Campbell had high-level chances. The Isles sustained pressure for most of the last half of overtime, but Robinson stayed strong, forcing a shootout.
Kearsey opened the shootout with a bang, showing off some smooth hands to beat Robinson five-hole.
The Sea Dogs second shooter, Simek, scored the lone Saint John goal as Ozols was able to shut the door for the other three rounds.
It was Island native, Ross Campbell who sealed the deal, beating Robinson cleanly, giving the Isles a 6-5 win, improving to 7-6 on the season.
"I'm not much of a shootout guy," Campbell said. "Every time I shoot, I go low glove. He was covering it but I still did it but luckily it squeaked through."
Final shots in the back and forth game were 52-38 in favour of the Islanders. Both squads went 1/2 on the man-advantage and Charlottetown outhit the Sea Dogs 30-25.
Head Coach Jim Hulton is satisfied with the win tonight.
"We stuck with it to say the least," he said. "This team scraps and battles and as a coach, that's all you can ask for as a coach."
He is proud of the team's effort on the power play.
"Our guys stuck with it, we worked hard to get that power play. Our power play is one of the best in the league for a reason. It's a weapon." he said.
Hulton talks about coming right back tomorrow night against a tough Halifax team.
"We have to be ready for their start," he said. "We gotta build on our positives. Continue our forecheck and our aggressive play but we gotta tighten things up defensively."
The Isles are back in action tomorrow night as they take on the Halifax Mooseheads. Fans can tune into the game at MAX 93.1FM.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2023
- Phoenix Blank Eagles in Friday Night Nailbiter - Cape Breton Eagles
- Top Line Produces in Charlottetown - Halifax Mooseheads
- The Isles Bounce Back With A Wild 6-5 Win Over The Saint John Sea Dogs - Charlottetown Islanders
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