Mason McDonald made 33 saves and Daniel Sprong scored the game-winning goal in the second period as the Charlottetown Islanders hung on for a 2-1 win over divisional rival Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Sunday afternoon at Eastlink Centre.
With the win, the Islanders snap a brief two-game losing streak and improve to 7-7-1-1 on the season. The Eagles fall to 7-8-1-1 on the season.
It feels great to snap the skid, said Islanders rookie Keith Getson who was named the game’s first star for his penalty killing efforts in the third period.
“It feels great just to get another win under our belt.”
McDonald said it was a great win and team effort.
“Getson had a hell of a game blocking shots at the end there. The boys got in front of it for me and the adrenaline is pretty high right now. It’s a great win.”
The Islanders were a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill and haven’t allowed a power play goal against in their last two games.
Getson credits blocking shots and getting in front of the pucks for the team’s success on the penalty kill lately.
“We just worked as hard as we can as a team and we’re just working great right now.”
With the Islanders holding a 2-1 lead in the third period, they needed to kill off two straight penalties and Getson was on the ice for both penalty kills.
“I just did everything I could to get in front of a couple shots and do anything I could for the team,” said the 16-year-old, Bridgewater, N.S., forward.
McDonald said it was great to see the players do everything they could to kill the two penalties.
“Those blocked shots, who knows, they could have went in if they weren’t blocked. Tipped, screened, anything could have happened.”
The Islanders didn’t take long to open the scoring as Bradley Kennedy scored a power play goal just 58 seconds into the game for his fourth goal of the season. Filip Chlapik and Sprong drew assists. Shots were 12-11 in favour of Cape Breton.
In the second period, Sprong scored his seventh goal of the season on the power play at 8:01 to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead. Ryan MacKinnon and Chlapik drew assists. Just 1:01 later, the Screaming Eagles replied with a goal of their own, coming off the stick of Kyle Farrell for his 17th of the season. Maxim Lazarev and Colby Tower drew assists. Shots were 10-9 Charlottetown.
There was no scoring in the third period, but the Eagles had a 13-6 shot advantage and two power play opportunities.
Cape Breton goaltender Francois Brassard made 25 saves in the loss.
The Islanders travel to Halifax on Wednesday Oct. 29 to battle the Mooseheads. Game time is 7 p.m.
Islanders Insights
-Islanders were 2-for-3 on the power play.
-Sprong led the Islanders in shots with six.
-David Henley led the Islanders in hits with four.
-Kameron Kielly was 17-for-26 in the face-off dot.
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