CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Charlottetown Islanders forward Keith Getson got clipped with a high stick in overtime seconds before Antoine Morand scored the winner Tuesday as the Acadie-Bathurst Titan skated out of the Eastlink Centre with a 3-2 win.
Getson also took a high stick in the third period. No penalty was called on either play.
“It wouldn't rattle me too much if it was just the one in overtime,” Getson said after the game, wearing the evidence of the stick to the lip from overtime. “I talked to the refs after the one in the third period, so it kind of stings a bit more. I shouldn't have complained and I should have just kept playing, so I’ll take the blame for that one.”
Islanders fans showed their displeasure with the no call by reigning down booooos towards the officials.
Isles head coach Jim Hulton explained the referees felt both occurred on follow-throughs of shots.
“There was not enough time left in the game to realize he was cut on the second one. I think that changes the call,” Hulton said. “Once they don't make the (call initially), the puck is in the net, and the game is over.”
The Isles had their looks in the three-on-three extra period with Hunter Drew stopped on a breakaway and Daniel Hardie was turned back while cutting to the middle by Titan goalie Evan Fitzpatrick. Veteran Pascal Aquin had a chance from the slot and Hardie another coming down the wing earlier in OT.
“I thought we had some quality chances there in overtime,” veteran forward Cam Askew said.
“They’re a good team, obviously, one of the top teams in the league,” he added. “I think we battled hard tonight and I think we kind of proved to ourselves that we can battle with any team.”
Jordan Maher opened the scoring for the visitors 7:33 into the game while Drew tied it on a power play six minutes later. Liam Murphy restored the visitor’s lead 18 seconds into the second period while Getson tied it 13 minutes later. The Titan outshot the Isles 15-9 in the first period and 11-4 in the middle stanza while the teams each were credited with eight in the third. Charlottetown led 4-2 in overtime shots, but was outshot 36-25 for the game.
“Despite getting outshot, I didn’t think we got out-chanced,” Hulton said, noting the team tracks shot attempts and they were close. “We’re getting a little bit too cute and missing the net a lot. It’s something we’ve talked about and something we’ll probably address going forward.”
Matthew Welsh was named the game’s second star after making 33 saves. It was his 112th career game for the Islanders, surpassing his former goalie tandem partner, Mason McDonald, for fourth in games played in the franchise records book. Jonathan Cayer leads with 161 followed by Ryan Mior (157) and Evan Mosher (117).
“He’s been humongous for us all year,” Askew said of Welsh. “He’s our MVP this season, and we know we can rely on him every night.”
The Islanders host the Victoriaville Tigres Friday at 7 p.m.
Highlight reel
A look at Tuesday’s statistics from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game between the host Charlottetown Islanders and the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Outcome
Acadie-Bathurst – 3.
Charlottetown – 2 OT.
Goals
Acadie-Bathurst – Jordan Maher, Liam Murphy and Antoine Morand.
Charlottetown – Hunter Drew and Keith Getson.
Assists
Acadie-Bathurst – Antoine Morand and Ethan Crossman.
Charlottetown – Daniel Hardie 2, Keith Getson and Pascal Aquin.
Goalies
Acadie-Bathurst – Evan Fitzpatrick, 23 saves on 25 shots.
Charlottetown – Matthew Welsh, 33 saves on 36 shots.
Power plays
Acadie-Bathurst – 0-for-2.
Charlottetown – 1-for-2.
Faceoff wins
Acadie-Bathurst – 32.
Charlottetown – 22.
Hits
Acadie-Bathurst – 8.
Charlottetown – 12.
Records
Acadie-Bathurst – 36-15-7-2.
Charlottetown – 33-21-6-0.
Attendance – 2,213.
50/50 – $1,540.
Head coach Jim Hulton: “I thought we battled. It was playoff-style hockey again, not unlike last week when Halifax was in here.”
Remaining games
The Charlottetown Islanders have eight games remaining in the regular season. Here’s a look at the remaining games:
Friday
7 p.m. – Victoriaville at Charlottetown.
Sunday
3 p.m. – Moncton at Charlottetown.
Wednesday, March 7
7 p.m. – Charlottetown at Saint John.
Friday, March 9
7 p.m. – Charlottetown at Cape Breton.
Saturday, March 10
7 p.m. – Charlottetown at Cape Breton.
Wednesday, March 14
7 p.m. – Charlottetown at Acadie-Bathurst.
Friday, March 16
7 p.m. – Acadie-Bathurst at Charlottetown.
Saturday, March 17
3 p.m. – Moncton at Charlottetown
