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.”
Losing the two points sucks, said Kennedy.
“They’re catching us in the standings and it’s always tough. That was a four-point game really and it sucks to lose it.”
Despite the loss, Sprong said the Islanders played a good game.
“We threw 51 shots on goal. When you throw 51 shots on goal you did something right.”
Cape Breton opened the scoring at the 11:14 mark of the first period with a power play marker from Kyle Farrell for his 40th goal of the season. Marcus Hinds and Clark Bishop drew assists.
The Islanders were quick to respond when Kennedy buried his 13th of the season at 13:04 to tie the game. Kameron Kielly and Guillaume Rioux-Legault drew assists.
Charlottetown failed to convert on four power plays in the period, including a two-man advantage.
“We had a lot of chances, just the puck wouldn’t go in for us,” said Kennedy.
In the second period, Evgeny Svechnikov restored Cape Breton’s lead at 1:30 with his 29th of the season. Maxim Lazarev and Olivier LeBlanc picked up assists.
Lazarev gave the Eagles a two-goal cushion at 5:15 with his 36th of the season. Hinds and Svechnikov drew assists.
In the third period, Martineau’s seventh of the season made it 4-1 Cape Breton at 7:27. Dillon Boucher and Colby Tower drew assists.
David Henley changed the momentum of the game mid-way through the period with an open ice hit on Martineau.
“It’s my style of play,” said Henley who celebrated his 18th birthday tonight. “When I’m on the ice I always look for a big hit. It’s how I play my best games. It’s part of my game and I love it.”
The Islanders made it 4-2 with a six-on-four power play goal from Filip Chlapik for his 31st of the season at 16:03. Sprong and Dexter Weber drew assists.
Just 43 seconds later, Sprong made it 4-3 with his team-leading 37th goal of the season. Luc Deschenes and Ross Johnston drew assists.
Cape Breton put the icing on the cake at 18:10 with an empty-net goal from Farrell for his 41st of the season.
Miguel Sullivan made 48 saves in the win for Cape Breton to take home first star honours. Mason McDonald suffered the loss making 38 saves.
Both teams meet again tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
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