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.”


Filip Rydstrom said it was a big win.

“We have a chance to clinch the second spot in our division tomorrow. It feels really good.”

Rydstrom has three goals in two games since his return to the Islanders lineup last Saturday.

“I’ve just been excited to get back,” said Rydstrom. “All the hard work is paying off.”

Rydstrom opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the season at 8:28 with an unassisted tally.

Saint John tied the game at 19:30 with a power play marker from Jakub Zboril for his 13th of the campaign. Spencer Smallman drew the lone assist.

In the second period, Filip Chlapik regained the lead for the Islanders with his 32nd goal of the season at 1:33. Goulet and Sprong drew assists.

The Sea Dogs were quick to respond as Thomas Chabot fired home his 12th of the season to tie the game at 3:39. Mark Tremaine and Julien Tessier drew assists.

Charlottetown regained the lead at 14:26 with Rydstrom’s second of the game and eighth of the season with a backhander that beat Sebastien Auger. Ryan MacKinnon and Johnston drew assists.

Once again, the Sea Dogs evened it up with Justin Dundas scoring his 22nd of the season at 18:20. Chabot and Bokondji Imama drew assists.

Chlapik made it 4-3 Islanders at the 1:49 mark of the third period with his 33rd of the season. Sprong and David Henley drew assists.

Imama responded for the Sea Dogs at 4:30 scoring his 13th of the season to even the game at four. Chabot and Juraj Siska drew assists.

Saint John took its first lead of the game at 11:37 with Mathieu Joseph scoring an unassisted tally for his 21st of the season.

Johnston evened the game with his 16th of the season at 19:08 on the power play and with the extra attacker. Sprong and MacKinnon drew assists.

The team was told before the period began, that if they get behind to not hang their heads, said MacCallum.

“When they scored that (goal), the boys didn’t take it hard and came back and scored a big one.”

Kameron Kielly and Dexter Weber drew assists on Goulet’s game-winning overtime goal.

Auger made 45 saves in the loss for Saint John.

The Islanders wrap up its 2014-15 regular season Saturday afternoon in Moncton for a 4 p.m. tilt against the Wildcats.

The key to success is to play their game, said Rydstrom.

“Play hard, get the puck deep and work hard and we’ll get the win.”

Cool game note:
-Charlottetown Islanders won its first game during a five-minute overtime on home ice.