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QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Welsh Stands Tall as Isles Defeat Sea Dogs

January 24, 2020 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


Matthew Welsh is back.

After two rough starts last weekend against Cape Breton, the 20-year-old veteran bounced back in a big way, stopping 40 shots as the Charlottetown Islanders got back in the win column with a 2-1 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs.

"We were fortunate to win tonight," said Isles head coach Jim Hulton on the victory. "It was an important outcome to restore some of our group confidence and belief after a difficult few games last weekend."

Giving up 10 goals last weekend was uncharacteristic for Welsh, making tonight's turnaround all the more important. Welsh was sharp from the outset, stopping shot after shot in an early onslaught from the Sea Dogs as the Isles worked to take over the game.

It took a Sea Dogs penalty to turn the tides in the first period and the captain took advantage. Brendon Clavelle would take the pass from Nikita Alexandrov on the powerplay and fire a wrister past Zachary Bouthillier for his first goal on the season.

Cole Edwards would extend the lead shortly thereafter for Charlottetown. A bouncing puck on a broken play in the offensive zone eventually landed on the 19-year-old's stick and he'd turn and fire one top shelf on Bouthillier. After a short review due to the net coming off it's moorings at the same time, Edwards was rewarded with his ninth goal of the season.

From there, Welsh would lock it down between the pipes. The Sea Dogs offense would crash the net throughout the game, peppering Welsh with shot after shot. On a number of occasions a bouncing puck would bobble all around the crease but Welsh would show poise and composure in goal, locating the puck and slowing down play.

Anderson MacDonald would get the Dogs on the board before the end of the game but it wasn't enough. The Islanders would hold the fort and help steer Welsh to his 117th career victory.

Hulton added that while the Isles were much better than last weekend, there's still work to do.

"We were fully committed away from the puck but we still have plenty of work ahead of us to improve our defensive game." said Hulton. "We will look to build on this victory heading in to tomorrow's game."

There's no rest for the Isles as they're right back in action tomorrow in a huge day at the Eastlink Centre. We team up with Red Rock Wrestling for Island Invasion! The stars of RRW take over the Trade Centre at 4:00pm with a Heavyweight Championship match between Kowboy Mike Hughes and Chris Cooke! Then at 7:00pm your Islanders take on the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada! Tickets are just $20 for both events; pick them up at the Eastlink Centre box office, by phone at 902-629-6625, or online.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2020


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