McDonald to see doctors on Wednesday; possibly sidelined for remainder of series

Mason McDonald. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Mason McDonald will see doctors Wednesday morning after an injury sustained in Monday night’s Game 3 against the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

In a team statement, Islanders General Manager Grant Sonier said McDonald suffered a knee injury and will see doctors and user proper diagnosis. The team will then notify fans with an updated report.

“Until we get that diagnosis, we are not going to speculate. We understand that in the social media world word travels fast, but we want the official word to from the Charlottetown Islanders concerning Mason’s health,” said Sonier.

McDonald left Monday’s under five minutes into the first period and did not return.

Daryl MacCallum took over in goal making 30 saves to help the Islanders pick up a big 5-2 win to take a 2-1 series lead. He is expected to start in goal on Wednesday.

According to The Guardian, Sonier has made phone calls to goaltending prospects Luke House and Nicholas Dawe. Grant Grady is also a third option to back-up MacCallum, but is currently playing the Island Junior Hockey League (Jr. B) finals with the Kensington Vipers.

Game 4 goes Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Eastlink Centre.

New York Islanders sign Johnston to entry-level contract

Ross Johnston. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

The New York Islanders have signed Charlottetown Islanders forward Ross Johnston to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

Johnston, 21, scored a career-high 18 goals and 32 points in 44 games this season with the Charlottetown Islanders while maintaining a plus-eight rating with 124 penalty minutes.

The native of Charlottetown, P.E.I., spent four seasons in the QMJHL since 2011-12 after being drafted in the sixth round by the Moncton Wildcats in 2011. In 195 career regular season games, the six-foot-five, 225-pound winger scored 42 goals and 91 points with Moncton, Victoriaville and Charlottetown.

Johnston also participated in New York Islanders rookie camp in the summer of 2014.

MacCallum plays hero in Islanders 5-2 win

Daryl MacCallum stood up to occasion making 30 saves to backstop the Charlottetown Islanders to a 5-2 win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix in Game 3 Monday night at Eastlink Centre.

Islanders starter Mason McDonald suffered what appeared to be a leg injury and left the game 4:57 into the contest and did not return. The Islanders had a 2-0 lead at that point.

MacCallum said he was pretty nervous because it was his first playoff game in the QMJHL.

“Once I made the first couple of saves I felt pretty comfortable in net and the team did a great job in front of me.”

MacCallum calls the game the most special he has ever played.

“Playing my first playoff game meant a lot to me.”

The fans were behind him all game, said MacCallum.

“The fans were special. They kept chanting me on and giving me confidence.”

Islanders forward Daniel Sprong said MacCallum came up big.

“He hasn’t played a lot this season but when he plays he has stepped up for us. You never want to see Mase go down like that. He came in great and made great saves. We rallied around him and used it as momentum and we took the game.”

The Islanders now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 with the next two games in Charlottetown.

Game day: Game 3 Phoenix @ Islanders

Date:Monday March 30, 2015

Match: Sherbrooke Phoenix @ Charlottetown Islanders

Where: Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Time: 7 p.m. AST

TV: Webcast

Live Tweets: IslesLive

Home-ice advantage has now shifted to Charlottetown for the next three games against the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

The series is tied 1-1 after Charlottetown took Game 1 by an 8-2 scores and then the Phoenix taking Game 2 by a 7-3 score.

Power plays have been effective for both teams so far in the series. Charlottetown has gone 3-for-5 with the man advantage, while Sherbrooke has been 4-for-17 with the man advantage. Sherbrooke has had five two-man advantage power plays in the two games so far.

Islanders will need to stay out of the box. They ran into penalty trouble on Saturday in Sherbrooke, giving the Phoenix 10 power plays, three being 5-on-3's. Sherbrooke could only manage three goals on the power play.

Mason McDonald will get the start for Charlottetown. Evan Fitzpatrick will be the expected starter for the Phoenix.

Darcy leads Phoenix to 7-3 win to tie up series

SHERBROOKE, QUE. - Cameron Darcy scored five points, including three goals, to lead the Sherbrooke Phoenix to a 7-3 win over the Charlottetown Islanders in Game 2 Saturday evening at Palais des Sports Leopold-Drolet.

The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 as the scene shifts to Charlottetown for Games 3, 4, and 5.

Daniel Audette enjoyed an offensive night scoring two goals and an assist.

Charlottetown ran into penalty trouble, some calls questionable, as the Phoenix capitalized three times on 10 power play opportunities.

Darcy opened the scoring for Sherbrooke at 5:46 with his first of playoffs. Julien Bahl and Evan Fitzpatrick drew assists.

The Phoenix took a 2-0 lead with Audette’s first of the playoffs at 13:08 with Darcy drawing the lone assist.

In the second period, Daniel Sprong got the Islanders on the board with a power play goal at 6:23 with his third goal of the playoffs. Bradley Kennedy and Ryan MacKinnon drew assists.

Sherbrooke re-gained the two-goal lead with Darcy scoring his second of the game at 14:21 with a power play marker. Jeremy Roy and Tim Wieser drew assists.

On another power play, Audette scored his second of the game at 18:15 for a 4-1 Phoenix lead. Carl Neill drew the lone assist.

Game day: Game 2 Islanders @ Phoenix

Date: Saturday March 28, 2015

Match: Charlottetown Islanders @ Sherbrooke Phoenix

Where: Palais des Sport Leopold-Drolet, Sherbrooke, Que.

Time: 6 p.m. AST

TV: Webcast

Live Tweets: IslesLive

Charlottetown is coming off an 8-2 win last night in Game 1 to give them a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven first round series. Don't expect tonight to be the same.

The Phoenix will be hungrier than ever and will look to even the series in their own barn. The Islanders aren't going to expect eight goals again, but you know they will be looking to take a 2-0 lead back home to the Eastlink Centre.

Filip Rydstrom (1-2), Oliver Cooper (1-2) and Ross Johnston (0-3) lead the Islanders in points so far through one game. Daniel Sprong and Spenser Cobbled lead the team in goals with two each.

Carl Neill and Tim Wieser have a goal and an assist each for Sherbrooke.

Islanders will go with McDonald between the pipes again today, who stopped 30-of-32 last night. Sherbrooke is expected to start 16-year-old Evan Fitzpatrick who made nine saves in relief of Alex Bureau.

The keys to success for the Islanders will be their special teams. They were an excellent 5-for-6 on the penalty kill, while going 1-for-3 on the power play.

During the regular season, Charlottetown had the No. 1 power play on the road scoring 42 goals on 141 opportunities at 29.8 per cent. Islanders also had the second best penalty kill on the road coming in at 81.5 per cent.

Big second period leads Islanders to 8-2 win over Phoenix

SHERBROOKE, QUE., - The Charlottetown Islanders scored eight goals in the second period to tie a QMJHL playoff record for most goals in one period in an 8-2 win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix Friday night in Game 1 at the Palais des Sports Leopold-Drolet.

Charlottetown leads the best-of-seven series 1-0.

Both teams combined for nine goals in the second period after a scoreless first period.

Spenser Cobbold and Daniel Sprong scored pairs of goals for the Islanders as Oliver Cooper (1-2), Filip Rydstrom (1-2) and Ross Johnston (0-3) picked up three points in the win.

Carl Neill (1-1) and Tim Wieser (1-1) tallied goals for the Phoenix.

Sherbrooke was unable to capitalize on a 5-on-3 man advantage in the opening five minutes of the game.

Cobbold started the scoring fest in the second period at the 5:08 mark with his first career QMJHL goal. Quinn O’Brien and Filip Rydstrom drew assists.

Cobbold struck again at the 7:36 mark to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead. Bradley Kennedy and Kameron Kielly drew assists.

Charlottetown made it 3-0 with a power play marker from Sprong at 10:02. Kennedy drew the lone assist.

Game day: Game 1 Islanders @ Phoenix

Date: Friday March 27, 2015

Match: Charlottetown Islanders @ Sherbrooke Phoenix

Where: Palais des Sport Leopold-Drolet, Sherbrooke, Que.

Time: 8 p.m. AST

TV: Webcast

Live Tweets: IslesLive

The Charlottetown Islanders will begin its 13th franchise playoff appearance tonight in Game 1 on the road in Sherbrooke.

For Sherbrooke, it is their second playoff appearance in just their third season.

As mentioned earlier on this site, both teams split the season series with each team winning a game in each other's barn.

Daniel Sprong led the way offensively for the Islanders during the regular season with 39 goals and 88 points in 68 games. Filip Chlapik (33-42-75), Alexandre Goulet (35-26-61) and Ryan MacKinnon (10-40-50) were also found on the scoresheet on a regular basis.

Goalie Mason McDonald appeared in 56 games posting a 28-26 won-lost record with a 3.06 goals against average and a 0.906 save percentage. McDonald is expected to get the start.

Islanders Country playoff predictions

Islanders Country gives its predictions for the 2015 QMJHL Playoffs.

(1) Rimouksi Oceanic vs. (16) Victoriaville Tigres
Nolan: Oceanic in 5.
Nathan: Oceanic in 4.

(2) Moncton Wildcats vs. (15) Chicoutimi Sagueneens
Nolan: Wildcats in 4.
Nathan: Wildcats in 5.

(3) Blainville-Boisbriand Armada vs. (14) Gatineau Olympiques
Nolan: Armada in 6.
Nathan: Armada in 6.

(4) Quebec Remparts vs. (13) Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Nolan: Remparts in 6.
Nathan: Remparts in 6.

(5) Shawinigan Cataractes vs. (12) Halifax Mooseheads
Nolan: Mooseheads in 6.
Nathan: Mooseheads in 6.

(6) Val-d'Or Foreurs vs. (11) Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Nolan: Foreurs in 7.
Nathan: Foreurs in 6.

(7) Baie-Comeau Drakkar vs. (10) Saint John Sea Dogs
Nolan: Drakkar in 7.
Nathan: Sea Dogs in 7.

(8) Sherbrooke Phoenix vs. (9) Charlottetown Islanders
Nolan: Islanders in 7
Nathan: Islanders in 7

Chlapik, MacKinnon, McDonald among big winners at Islanders Fan Choice Awards

Filip Chlapik, Ryan MacKinnon and Mason McDonald won a couple of awards last night at the second annual Charlottetown Islanders Fan Choice Awards Monday night.

Chlapik took home Rookie of the Year and then Moose Light Three Stars Selection awards.

MacKinnon took home the Class Act/Gentlemen's Award and Defensive Player of the Year.

McDonald was the winner of the Player's Player Award and Most Valueable Player.

Daniel Sprong took home the Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after scoring 39 goals and 88 points.

Other awards:
U.P.E.I Scholastic Player of the Year: Dexter Weber

Most Dedicated Player: Ross Johnston

Volunteer of the Year: Wesley Hood

Fan Favourite Award: Kameron Kielly

Play of the Year: "Tic-Tac-Toe"

Bring on Sherbrooke: Playoff preview

After a wild 7-6 win over the Moncton Wildcats on Saturday, the Charlottetown secured the ninth overall spot in the QMJHL standings and will face-off against the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the opening round of the 2015 Playoffs.

Sherbrooke lost 7-3 Saturday night to Rouyn-Noranda, dropping Sherbrooke to the eighth overall spot.

Charlottetown and Sherbrooke met twice during the season, which each team taking a win in the opponent's barn.

The first meeting was Nov. 28, 2014 when the Phoenix erased a 2-0 deficit to score in the final minute to take a 3-2 decision. The next meeting came Jan. 16 in Sherbrooke when Mason McDonald made 31 saves to record his first shutout as an Islander in a 2-0 win.

Charlottetown finished the season with three 30-plus goal scorers for the first time since the 2006-07 season. Sherbrooke only had one 30-plus goal scorer this season.

The series gets underway Friday March 27 in Sherbrooke at 8 p.m. AST.

Johnston named first star of the week

Ross Johnston. Photo by Darrell Theriault

Charlottetown Islanders forward Ross Johnston was named today the QMJHL's first star of the week for March 16-22, 2015.

The 21-year-old, Charlottetown native scored three goals and six points in two games while maintaining a plus-three rating.

Johnston started the week with a goal and an assist on Friday March 20 against the Saint John Sea Dogs in a 6-5 overtime win. The next night in Moncton, the former Wildcat scored a pair of goals and assists in a wild 7-6 win over the Wildcats.

Johnston finished the season with a career-high 18 goals and 32 points in 44 games.

Samuel Morin of the Rimouski Oceanic was the week's second star and Drummondville Voltigeurs forward Alexandre Barret-Boulet was the week's third star.

First Round schedule released

The Charlottetown Islanders have released its schedule for their first round matchup against the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

The series will be 2-3-2 format, meaning the Islanders will be on the road in Sherbrooke for games one and two, and will come home for game three and four, and if necessary, game five. The series will resume in Sherbrooke, if necessary, for games six and seven.

Here is the schedule:
Game 1: Friday March 27, 8 p.m. AST, @ Sherbrooke Phoenix
Game 2: Saturday March 28, 5 p.m. AST, @ Sherbrooke Phoenix
Game 3: Monday March 30, 7 p.m. AST, vs. Sherbrooke Phoenix
Game 4: Wednesday April 1, 7 p.m. AST, vs. Sherbrooke Phoenix
Game 5: Friday April 3, 7 p.m. AST, vs. Sherbrooke Phoenix*
Game 6: Monday April 6, TBA, @ Sherbrooke Phoenix*
Game 7: Tuesday April 7, TBA, @ Sherbrooke Phoenix*
*if necessary

Islanders win wild one in Moncton

Ross Johnston scored a pair of goals and assists in a wild 7-6 win over the Moncton Wildcats Saturday afternoon at Moncton Coliseum.

The overage forward skated in his last regular season QMJHL game along with Ryan MacKinnon and Spenser Cobbold.

It was a great way to finish, said Johnston who began his junior career with the Wildcats.

"This is where it all started. There was a little extra motivation when (Conor) Garland and (Ivan) Barbashev we're spinning their sticks in the last game. It was great for this team."

The Islanders end the season with a 35-28-1-4 record with 75 points which will clinch second place in Maritimes Division and ninth overall. The Islanders will play the 8th placed Sherbrooke Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs.

The Wildcats fall to 46-18-0-3 with one game left on their schedule.

Johnston said the win is huge for the team's confidence.

"Anytime you end the season with two big wins like that it goes a long way. Hopefully it rides into playoffs."

The team battled through a lot of adversity in the last two games, said Johnston.

"We bent a little but we didn't break once again...it's great for this team, character wise."

Islanders forward Daniel Sprong scored two goals and one assist in the win. He said it was high scoring but the team will take the two points.

"We wrecked their chance at winning the league and that was our goal coming in. We knew this was a tough crowd to play in.

"We have a couple of things to work on. We gave up six but also scored seven so that means we played good offensively and need to work on our D zone before playoffs."

Goulet scores OT winner as Islanders edge Sea Dogs

Alexandre Goulet was the overtime hero for the Charlottetown Islanders in a 6-5 win over the Saint John Sea Dogs Friday night at Eastlink Centre.

It was one of the biggest goals of the year for himself, said Goulet.

“It’s a big two points in the standings. That felt great.”

Goulet buried his 34th goal of the season at the 4:23 mark of the extra frame to secure the extra point over the Sea Dogs. Charlottetown now has a one-point lead over the Sea Dogs with 73 points and a 34-28-1-4 record. Saint John falls to 31-26-4-6.

The European Filip duo of Chlapik and Rydstrom had two goals each while Ross Johnston (1-1) tallied the other Islanders goal. Daniel Sprong finished with three assists.

Daryl MacCallum, filing in for Mason McDonald who is out of action this week, made 26 saves in the win. He said there was no added pressure stepping into McDonald’s shoes for a big game.

“I was a lot more excited than nervous for this game. It was a big two points and I did what it took to get the two points. The boys really came together. They did a great job.”

Islanders call up goaltender Grady

The Charlottetown Islanders have called up goaltender Grant Grady from the Kensington Vipers of the Island Junior Hockey League.

The Vipers tweeted the news yesterday.

After going 4-0 w 2 shutouts and posting a 1.46 GAA and a .957 save % in playoffs @GrantGrader35 has been called up to the @IslandersHKY
— Kensington Vipers (@IJHL_Vipers) March 20, 2015

Grady, 19, posted a 17-6 record with a 3.08 goals against average and a 0.910 save percentage with the Jr. B Vipers. He also went 4-0 with a 1.46 goals against average and a 0.957 save percentage in the playoffs.

The Kensington, P.E.I., native spent a brief time with the Moncton Wildcats during the 2012-13 season appearing in 5:35 of action.

Starting goaltender Mason McDonald will be out of action this weekend with a lower body injury and the Islanders will turn to backup Daryl MacCallum.

MacCallum should be expected to start tonight against the Saint John Sea Dogs and on Saturday in Moncton.

MacCallum has appeared in 21 games this season posting a 5-7 record with a 4.54 goals against average and 0.861 save percentage.

Game day: Sea Dogs @ Islanders, last home game of the season

Date: Friday March 20, 2015

Match: Saint John Sea Dogs @ Charlottetown Islanders

Where: Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Time: 7 p.m. AST

TV: Webcast

Live Tweets: IslesLive

Pre-game stats:

Last meeting this season:	Feb. 27, CHA 3 @ SNB 7
Next game between two teams:	No more meetings
Head-to-head record this season:	Charlottetown 5-2-0-1, Saint John 3-3-1-1
Head-to-head record for 2013-14:	Charlottetown 5-3-0-1, Saint John 4-4-0-1
Last 5 years between teams:	Saint John 22-15-1-3, Charlottetown 19-18-1-3
Last 5 years at Charlottetown:	Charlottetown 12-8-0-0, Saint John 8-11-0-1

Rough Stretch: February Islanders Analytics: Part 2

Shot Differential
Numbers in charts are the average and are rounded.

Wins: 42.12 per cent
Losses: 48 per cent
January: 54 per cent

The Islanders did not come out of the gate as strong as they did in January and this usually leads to playing catch up the rest of the game. In total, the Islanders were out shot 109-91, or an average of 12-10 during the first period for the entire month.

Wins: 47.52 per cent
Losses: 44.14 per cent
January 52 per cent

The second period was more or less the same on average as far as differential goes. However, shot totals were up. Charlottetown was out shot 129-100 which averages out to 14-11 each game in the second period.

Rydstrom nets winner in return to Islanders lineup

Welcome back Filip.

Filip Rydstrom scored the game winning goal with 4:26 left in the third period as the Charlottetown Islanders were 3-1 winners over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Saturday night at Eastlink Centre.

Rydstrom caused a turnover in the Eagles' end and took a pass from Bradley Kennedy and then was in one-on-one on Eagles goalie Miguel Sullivan.

"I deked right and left and it was an open net and I put it in," said Rydstrom on the goal.

Rydstrom described it as 'unreal' to return to the lineup and score the game's winning goal.

"I've been working hard just to come back and finally here. To score the game winning goal is a big bonus."

Islanders forward Kameron Kielly said Rydstrom’s return was story ending.

“He played great. He’s a big addition to our lineup and we gelled off it tonight.”

The Islanders move into the 9th overall spot in the standings with a 33-28-1-4 record. Cape Breton falls to 30-30-3-3 on the season.

Islanders clipped 5-3 by Screaming Eagles

Two early second period goals set the tone for the visiting Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in a 5-3 win over the Charlottetown Islanders Friday night at Eastlink Centre.

The Islanders snap a four-game winning streak and remain in the No. 10 overall spot in the standings with a 32-28-1-4 record. The Eagles pick up its third win a row and improve to 30-29-3-3 on the season and are just three points back of the Islanders.

Cape Breton scored two goals in the opening 5:15 of the second period to break a 1-1 tie and then followed it up with the eventual game-winning goal in third period from Phelix Martineau.

Daniel Sprong led the scoring charge for Charlottetown with a goal and an assist. He said the bounces went Cape Breton’s way in the second period.

“We just came back hard in the third. We had chances in the third but unfortunately they couldn’t go in.”

Islanders forward Bradley Kennedy agreed it was lucky bounces for the Screaming Eagles.

“That’s what happens. When they’re up by two goals it’s hard to battle back.”

Game day: Screaming Eagles @ Islanders

Date: Friday March 13, 2015

Match: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles @ Charlottetown Islanders

Where: Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Time: 7 p.m. AST

TV: Webcast

Live Tweets: IslesLive

Pre-game stats:

Last meeting this season:	March 4, CHA 3 @ CAP 2
Next game between two teams:	March 14 in Charlottetown
Head-to-head record this season:	Charlottetown 4-3-0-0, Cape Breton 3-4-0-0
Head-to-head record for 2013-14:	Cape Breton 7-1-0-1, Charlottetown 2-6-1-0
Last 5 years between teams:	Charlottetown 23-14-2-1, Cape Breton 17-21-0-2
Last 5 years at Charlottetown:	Charlottetown 13-4-2-0, Cape Breton 6-11-0-2

Islanders drop Titan 5-2

BATHURST, N.B. - Spenser Cobbold’s early second period goal stood as the winner as the visiting Charlottetown Islanders skated to a 5-2 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan Wednesday night at K.C. Irving Regional Centre.

The Islanders have now won four-straight games and have picked up points in its last five games. Charlottetown improves to 32-27-1-4 on the year as the Titan falls to 15-42-5-2.

Kameron Kielly (1-1), Alexandre Goulet (1-1), Samuel Guilbault (1-1) and Bradley Kennedy (0-2) all enjoyed a multi-point night. Christophe Boivin scored both Titan goals.

The Islanders opened the scoring at the 9:02 mark of the first period with a power play goal from Daniel Sprong for his 36th of the season. Filip Chlapik and Goulet drew assists.

Chlapik sets new franchise record

Charlottetown Islanders forward Filip Chlapik has set a new franchise record for most points in a single season by a rookie with 70.

The 17-year-old, Czech native drew an assist on Daniel Sprong's opening goal against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on March 11, 2015 for his 40th assist of the season. Chlapik has skated in 60 games so far this season with Charlottetown.

Chlapik surpasses previous record holder Chris Montgomery who set the record with 69 points in 59 games during the Montreal Rocket's inaugural season in 1999-00.

The Islanders drafted Chlapik with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 CHL Import Draft.

Game day: Islanders @ Titan, Make up game

Date:Wednesday March 11, 2015

Match: Charlottetown Islanders @ Acadie-Bathurst Titan

Where: K.C. Irving Regional Centre, Bathurst, N.B.

Time: 7:30 p.m. AST

TV: Webcast

Live Tweets: IslesLive

Pre-game stats:

Last meeting this season:	March 8, CHA 4 @ BAT 3 (OT)
Next game between two teams:	No more meetings
Head-to-head record this season:	Charlottetown 6-2-0-0, Acadie-Bathurst 2-5-1-0
Head-to-head record for 2013-14:	Acadie-Bathurst 6-3-0-0, Charlottetown 3-5-0-1
Last 5 years between teams:	Acadie-Bathurst 22-15-4-0, Charlottetown 19-17-1-4
Last 5 years at Acadie-Bathurst:	Acadie-Bathurst 12-5-3-0, Charlottetown 8-8-1-3

Rough Stretch: February Islanders Analytics: Part 1

Mason McDonald. Darrell Therialt photo.

Month By Month Performance

Many different factors can be attributed to the downfall experienced by the Islanders for the month of February. One of which could be the weather. Charlottetown experienced a large amount of snowfall which may have canceled practices as well as two games. Another could be that the team was falling back to earth after going 8-3-0-2 before 1-6-0-0. Whatever the reason, it looks as if the Isles have put it behind them with a strong start to March in the early going.

Shots

Shots against just ballooned in February. Mason McDonald and Daryl MacCallum saw a lot more of the puck then they wanted to and goals against reflected this. The Islanders' only win after Feb. 8 came from a game in which McDonald made 50 saves. Such a strong contrast compared to the team which dictated a lot more of the play a month earlier. However, had January been the actual abnormality, February`s "Estimated Fenwick Close" was actually closer to the team's average.

Saves

Charlottetown also shot the puck the same rate as they did the month before but shots against jumped 8.3 shots per game from January. Islanders remain among the top teams in shots-for-per-game but also among the last for shots against. If Charlottetown can work in limiting chances without sacrificing their offense, then this team has a chance to go another round in the playoffs.

Daniel Sprong named second star of the week

Daniel Sprong. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Charlottetown Islanders forward Daniel Sprong was named the second star of the week by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League today.

The week is for the period of March 2 to 8, 2015.

Sprong, 17, scored six goals for 11 points in four games, but held a minus-two rating. On Monday March 2, Sprong scored a pair of goals and an assist in a 5-4 shootout loss at home to the Moncton Wildcats. Then on Wednesday March 4, Sprong scored a goal and an assist in Cape Breton. Sprong added another goal and an assist on Friday March 6 in Halifax. Sprong wrapped up the week with two goals, including the overtime winner, and two assists in Acadie-Bathurst on Sunday. It was the first-four point game of Sprong's career.

The native of Amsterdam, Netherlands leads the Islanders in scoring with 35 goals and 78 points in 63 games, which sits him 18th overall in league scoring.

Nikolaj Ehlers of the Halifax Mooseheads was named the first star of the week and Chicoutimi Sagueneens' netminder Julio Billia was named the third star of the week.

No posts for a week

Hey everyone,

There will be no content on Islanders Country from March 1-7 as I will be away on vacation. I appreciate all the support and all the views.

The blog will be back up to speed on March 8 when I return. Same follows for IslesVault.

Here is what I will be vacationing on..

Celebrity Silhouette.

-Nolan Reid
Owner, Islanders Country