CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The surprising Charlottetown Islanders stunned the junior hockey world this season by finishing ninth in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
They did it with a small core of quality players like defenceman Pierre-Olivier (P.O.) Joseph, forwards Pascal Aquin and Keith Getson, a cast of hard-working guys and 10 rookies. Some of the players were deemed excess baggage by their previous squads and shipped to P.E.I. for a bag of russet gems. But, man, oh man, they have sparkled in the Quebec playoffs.
Jim Hulton should have received coach and general manager of the year awards for his work with this collection of no names, who have suddenly become the darlings of P.E.I. sports fans, hockey's version of Rocky Balboa.
We all knew Joseph was a top defenceman, selected by Arizona in the first round of the NHL draft, but his blue-line buddies have been unbelievable. How does a 2016-17 spare part forward like Hunter Drew develop into a minute-munching defender who blocks shots, plays hard every shift, has a surprising touch offensively and wouldn't look out of place on any junior championship team? The same goes for Olivier Desjardins, who has blossomed into a solid, reliable defenceman, who moves the puck well and is playing like an all-star.
Whichever Islander scout found rookie defenceman Brendon Clavelle, who hails from Kapuskasing, Ont., and unheralded Taylor Egan should get a hefty bonus. These guys fit in neatly with right-handed shooting and up-and-coming Finnish youngster Saku Vesterinen and Noah Massie.
In this QMJHL quarter-final, the Islanders are heavy underdogs and for good reason. The Halifax Mooseheads finished second in the Maritimes Division and fourth overall. They have five players on their team who have already been drafted or signed by NHL teams: Arnaud Durandeau (New York Islanders), Maxime Fortier (Columbus), Otto Somppi (Tampa Bay), Jake Ryczek (Chicago) and Jocktan Chainey (New Jersey). Four more players are expected to go in the top two rounds of this year’s draft, including defenceman Jared McIsaac, goaltender Alex Gravel as well as forwards Filip Zadina and Benoit-Olivier Groulx.
The series opened Friday at the Scotiabank Centre and Game 2 goes tonight also in Halifax. The Islanders are back here for games at Eastlink Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday and a full house is possible.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Islanders won the opener in overtime. CLICK HERE FOR THE GAME STORY.
It is highly unlikely the Islanders win this series, but that's what a majority of fans said regarding the Quebec series.
Basketball
The injury-riddled Island Storm, playing without talented guards Andre Stringer and Tyler Scott and with Chris Anderson and Chris Johnson nursing injuries, shocked the first-place Halifax Hurricanes in the opening game of the best-of-five National Basketball League of Canada quarter-final Thursday in Halifax.
The Storm led by 13 heading into the final quarter but when Halifax closed within two points, the Storm played tough defence to hang on for a 108-102 victory. It was a gritty effort by the Storm with the usual suspects in starring roles. It included Franklin Session, Du’Vaughn Maxwell, Kemy Osse, Carl Hall and Johnson, who appeared to suffer a shoulder separation but stayed in the game.
The Hurricanes, who were without key centre C.J. Washington, entertain the Storm in Game 2 Sunday at Scotiabank Centre Sunday afternoon with the series shifting to Charlottetown Thursday and Saturday, if necessary, at Eastlink Centre.
Video
Playoffs, playoffs, playoffs.
Fiddler and The Guardian sports editor Jason Malloy talk QMJHL and NBL playoffs with the Islanders and Storm in the post-season dance in this week's video.
Condolences
Dave Lawlor may not be a name familiar with today’s sports crowd but 50 years or so ago he was a top player with the P.E.I. junior champion Old Spain Penguins.
He was the son of 1930s hockey great Walter Lawlor and at all times a first-class gentleman. When the Island Junior Hockey League was at its apex, Dave was president. Charlie Gillis from Souris, Harry MacKenzie and I worked on his executive for a number of years. He was upfront and a straight shooter and one of the best hockey administrators ever around here.
Regretfully, he passed away earlier this week. My condolences to his wife Barbara, daughter Bobbi, son Mark and all connected to this gentleman.
Harness racing
Live harness racing is just four weeks away and Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park qualifying races are set for Saturday, April 21, and Tuesday, April 24. The start time is 1 p.m. on both dates.
The P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners awards night is set for April 14 at Murphy's Rec Centre on Richmond Street in Charlottetown. Erv Miller and his daughter Hannah will be here talking horses.
On the track, Maritime-bred The Rev goes tonight in the $34,000 Woodbine feature. At Yonkers last Saturday, Western Fame (Mark MacDonald) won his second $50,000 leg of the Levy series, nipping Rockin Ron in 1:52:4.
Sometimesawinner, owned by David MacDonald of Souris and Halifax (RDMD Refrigeration) won the $64,000 Sagamore final Tuesday at Yonkers. He's North American Cup-eligible as is Beachin Lindy, a hot colt in Ontario right now that David also owned but sold last fall. Sometimesawinner is a full brother to Sometimes Said ($570,000) out of the mare Lady Sometimes, who was purchased by Stratford's Ian Smith and in foal to Somebeachsomewhere.
Also at Yonkers this past week, P.E.I.-bred Proven Desire (by Proven Lover) posted an impressive 1:54:4 win versus $15,000 conditioned pacers.
At Western Fair this past week, Howmacfiesty was second beaten by a head in 1:57:4 in the $10,500 preferred and in the same race Drivingthedragon was sixth. P.E.I.-bred trotter Pappy Go Go has been off for a couple weeks, but re-surfaced and qualified at Pocono in 2:00:2 in Thursday on a sloppy track for driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Andrew Harris.
Fred MacDonald's column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at [email protected].
