Daryl MacCallum’s 29 saves is what the Charlottetown Islanders needed for a 3-2 shootout victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs Friday night at Eastlink Centre.
The Islanders begin the 2014-15 season on a winning note with a 1-0-0-0 record. The Sea Dogs start the season with a 0-0-0-1 record.
In 65 minutes of play, the Islanders only registered 16 shots on goal after only have seven after the first two periods.
MacCallum, who was named the game’s first star, said it was a huge win and credits the fans for getting him motivated.
“As soon as the shootout started I was kinda nervous because it was my first QMJHL shootout but I just treated it like anyone else (would).”
Islanders forward Kameron Kielly, who scored Charlottetown’s first goal, said the Islanders dug their heels deep to comeback after Saint John controlled most of the play.
“It feels real good to get that win early,” said the Charlottetown native. “It tells a lot about our group.”
Kielly added a goal in the shootout as Czech rookie Filip Chlapik scored the shootout winner before Saint John’s Spencer Smallman was stopped. Nathan Noel had the lone shootout goal for the Sea Dogs.
MacCallum said there were a lot of nerves before Saint John’s final shooter came down the ice in the shootout.
“I just treated it like a practice. We practice shootouts all the time so challenge, play big, and that’s what I did.”
The Islanders didn’t get the start they had hoped for as Saint John wasted no time getting on the board with Adam Bateman scoring just 34 seconds into the contest. The goal was just MacCallum’s second shot of the game.
“That was tough,” said the 18-year-old goaltender. “I should have had that one but I just put it behind me because there was nothing else I can do about it. Just move on and battle.”
Kielly responded for the Islanders scoring his first goal of the season at 13:50. Spenser Cobbold and Guillaume Rioux-Legault drew assists.
Scoring the first goal of the season for the club felt real good, said Kielly.
“I was lucky enough to have that slide home. It was a great pass by Cobbold.”
Islanders were outshot 11-4.
In the second period, the Islanders were outshot 15-3 but it wasn’t until the 19:41 mark when Julien Tessier gave the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead.
The Islanders tied the game at 4:18 of the third period with Daniel Sprong scoring his first of the season. Chlapik and Samuel Guilbault drew assists. Islanders held a 7-2 shot advantage in third period before adding two more in the scoreless overtime.
MacCallum picked up the win for the Islanders, and is now a career 2-0 in Islanders home openers.
Sebastien Auger took the loss for Saint John making 14 saves on 16 shots.
The Islanders host the Halifax Mooseheads tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
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