Moncton got the upper hand, however, in a 3-1 win at Eastlink Centre on goals by Summerside’s Jeremy McKenna, Daniil Kuzmin and an empty-netter by Liam Dunda.
Gregor MacLeod netted the Islanders score in a game that started with noticeable nerves as both sides played tentative.
By the second period that changed as the teams relaxed and played hockey in the first game of the season for both squads.
“It’s good (to get that first win). We had a little bit of nerves off the start, but that’s to be expected. We played well the rest of the game,” said MacKenna, who scored his first of the season with 16 seconds left in the first period. “The big thing was that we worked hard. The work ethic was there, all 20 guys were working hard. We had a couple of turnovers along the wall that we have to put out, but we beared down and got the win.”
Moncton’s Nick Welsh, brother of Isles goaltenders Matt Welsh, chipped in two assists including one on McKenna’s goal.
In the second period dominated by the Islanders, MacLeod tied the game 1-1 almost eight minutes in on a nice tic-tac-toe play with Adam Marsh and rookie Nikita Alexandrov.
Things stayed that way until the third when Kuzmin sniped a wrister from the slot on an odd-man rush at 6:24 and provided the winning goal.
With Welsh pulled for the extra attacker 12 minutes later, Dunda potted the insurance goal.
Isles defenceman Taylor Egan was disappointed in the loss, but saw a few bright lights coming out of it.
“We started executing our systems well and all in all it was a good start for us. I think we can improve on that,” said Egan, named the game’s third star. “I think we got off to a little bit of a slow start, but after 10 minutes into the game we started (to play).”
Welsh (0-1) stopped 25 shots in the loss, while former Islander Mark Grametbauer (1-0) saw 25 shots including 17 in the second frame.
Next up the Isles host the Halifax Mooseheads Saturday. Game time is 3 p.m. at the Link.
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Instant Replay
A look at Friday’s QMJHL game at Eastlink Centre:
The Outcome - Moncton 2 Charlottetown 1
The Goalscorers - Moncton: Jeremy McKenna (1), Daniil Kuzmin (1), Liam Dunda (1); Charlottetown: Gregor MacLeod (1).
The Assists - Moncton: Nick Welsh 2 (2), Jonathan Aspirot (1), Jacob Hudson (1); Charlottetown: Nikita Alexandrov (1), Adam Marsh (1).
The Goalies - Moncton: Mark Grametbauer, 24-of-25, win (1-0); Charlottetown: Matthew Welsh, 25-of-27, loss (0-1).
Attendance - 2,658 announced.
Next Up - The Islanders host the Halifax Mooseheads for a Saturday matinee. Game time is 3 p.m. at the Eastlink Centre.
By The Numbers
Shots By Period - Moncton: 6-5-17, 28; Charlottetown: 4-17-4, 25.
Penalty Minutes - Moncton: 10; Charlottetown: 10.
Power Play - Moncton: 0-for-3; Charlottetown: 0-for-3.
Hits - Moncton: 15; Charlottetown: 14.
50-50 - $1,340.