CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A quick start sparked the Charlottetown Islanders to victory on Saturday night.
The Islanders jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the opening period and increased that margin to 5-1 following 40 minutes en route to a 5-2 victory over the Halifax Mooseheads.
The win improved the Islanders’ record on opening weekend of the 2019-20 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League regular season to 1-0-1 (won-lost-overtime losses). Moncton defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime Friday night.
Click here for story on Friday's game between the Islanders and Wildcats:
Before 2,392 fans at Eastlink Centre, Cole Edwards found the back of the net twice and added an assist to lead the Islanders against the Mooseheads.
Thomas Casey of Charlottetown continued his hot start to the new campaign. Casey, who scored both Charlottetown goals in Friday’s game, had a goal and an assist. Gaetan Jobin (1-1) and Zachary Beauregard rounded out Charlottetown’s scoring. Drew Johnston, Lukas Cormier, Xavier Fortin and Cedric Desruisseau chipped in with assists.
Jeffrey Burridge (1-1) and Senna Peeters replied for the Mooseheads (0-2-0).
The final shots-on-goal totals were 32-24 in favour of the Islanders. Matthew Welsh picked up the goaltending win. Alexis Gravel started in goal for the Mooseheads and allowed four goals on 13 shots in the 23:18 of action. Cole MacLaren turned aside 18 of 19 shots over the final 36:42.
Halifax was 1-for-7 with the man advantage and the Islanders scored once on five power-play opportunities.
The game’s three stars were:
1. Cole Edwards (Islanders), 2. Gaetan Jobin (Islanders), 3. Thomas Casey (Islanders).
The Islanders make a return visit to Halifax on Friday at 7 p.m.
