HALIFAX, N.S. – The Charlottetown Islanders limped into the Christmas break.
A night after losing 6-4 to the Sea Dogs in Saint John, N.B., the Isles dropped a 6-2 decision to the Memorial Cup-hosting Mooseheads in Halifax.
The Mooseheads led 1-0 after the first period but scored three goals in less than three minutes to take a 4-0 advantage 6:09 into the second period.
Jordan Maher led the way with two goals while Walter Flower, Jake Ryczek, Arnaud Durandeau and Samuel Asselin each had one. Raphael Lavoie had two assists while singles were awarded to Denis Toner, Brock McLeod, Patrick Kyte, Joel Bishop, Xavier Parent and captain Antoine Morand.
Overage forwards Daniel Hardie and Keith Getson with their 22nd and 13th goals of the season, respectively, scored for Charlottetown. Kevin Gursoy and Hunter Drew, the Isles other overage player, had the assists.
Alexis Gravel made 30 stops for the win while Halifax native Matthew Welsh allowed six goals on 39 shots in the loss.
Charlottetown was 1-for-2 on the power play and killed all four of the Herds opportunities with the man advantage.
Halifax improved to 24-7-1-1, good for first place in the Eastern Conference, while Charlottetown (20-10-2-1) is sixth. Seven points currently separate the two teams.
If the playoff began today, the Islanders would play Moncton in the first round as Baie-Comeau would be ranked second as the East Division champs.
The league’s trade period opens Sunday.
