CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – It was business as usual at the Charlottetown Islanders practice Thursday at the Eastlink Centre.
About 12 hours after losing 4-2 to the Quebec Remparts, the team was back on home ice knowing the importance of Friday’s Game 4 with the visitors looking to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“It’s a huge game, but we don't want to think about it too much,” defenceman Saku Vesterinen said, noting adding extra pressure on themselves serves no one any good. “We played well (Wednesday), so I think we just have to keep going.”
The mood was up inside the room and the team looked loose and relaxed when it hit the ice for practice.
“We're not going to hang our heads,” said forward Daniel Hardie. “There’s lots of time to get back in the series. We know we have two more games on home ice here to get up in the series. We’re going to keep going and build off last game.”
The Islanders outplayed the Remparts for much of Game 3, but Remparts veteran goalie Antoine Samuel was the best player on the ice, stopping 35 shots.
“We have to get traffic in front of him and get a lot of shots, good shots,” Vesterinen said.
RELATED: Click here for an interview with head coach Jim Hulton.
While the teams only play each other twice during the regular season, three games in five days means both teams know what the other team is trying to do.
“I think we’re going to stick to the game plan and I think the bounces are going to come for us,” Hardie said.
Friday’s game starts at 7 p.m. while Saturday’s Game 5 is slated for a 4 p.m. puck drop.
Games 6 and 7, if necessary, are in Quebec City, Que., on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, at 8 p.m. Atlantic.
Series recap
Game 1
Game 2
Charlottetown 0 at Quebec 3
Game 3
