It was a Good Friday for the Charlottetown Islanders.
Daryl MacCallum posted a 43-save shutout to lead the Charlottetown Islanders to a 4-0 win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix in Game 3 at a sold-out Eastlink Centre Friday night.
The Islanders take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
MacCallum said he’s feeling really confident between the pipes.
“Seeing the fans tweet at me, they’re all behind me and it means a lot to me. Not much pressure, I just feel like I’m going to have a good game and have some fun.”
It was a pretty special moment for the 18-year-old Charlottetown, P.E.I. goaltender when 3,718 fans were chanting his name in the final minute.
“It meant a lot to me,” said MacCallum. “Overall I’m pretty happy to get that win. It’s a huge win so go to Sherbrooke and hopefully win there and finish the series off.”
Islanders forward Oliver Cooper, who’s first period goal stood as the winner, described MacCallum’s play as of late ‘unbelievable.’
“He’s risen to the occasion and he keeps getting better every game. It’s great to see. He’s been working hard all year and it’s paying off for him.”
It was a huge home win with it being the last home game of the series, said Cooper.
“It’s definitely a game we wanted to win heading up to Sherbrooke.”
The team is happy with the win but there’s nothing to celebrate just yet, said Cooper.
“There’s still lots of time for the series to be decided and we’re not satisfied.”
Cooper opened the scoring at the 4:16 mark of the first period for his second goal of the playoffs. Mitchell Balmas and Dexter Weber drew assists.
“I was just fortunate to get a good lane going to the net and I just waited long enough for the goalie to go down,” said Cooper on his goal. “I wasn’t honestly trying to pick a corner or go high or anything I was just trying to get it on net and luckily it went in.”
Spenser Cobbold increased the lead to 2-0 at the 14:50 mark with his fifth goal of the playoffs. Bradley Kennedy and Ryan MacKinnon picked up helpers.
Scoring first was in the game plan, said Cooper.
“We wanted to put a stranglehold on them and try to take some of their momentum away from the previous game.”
After a scoreless second period, the Islanders were quick on the scoreboard to start the third period.
Ross Johnston buried his first QMJHL playoff goal at the 1:25 mark for a 3-0 Islanders lead. Filip Rydstrom and Cooper drew assists.
Kennedy made it 4-0 at 3:11 with his second goal of the playoffs. Cobbold and Guillaume Rioux-Legault drew assists.
MacCallum earned first star honours with his performance and has become the second goaltender in franchise history to post a shutout in the playoffs. It is also his first shutout in the QMJHL.
“I haven’t gotten a shutout in a long time,” said MacCallum. “It was good getting one again. It feels great.”
Alex Bureau made 36 saves in the loss for Sherbrooke.
The series will now shift to Sherbrooke for Game 6 and if necessary, Game 7.
Game 6 goes Monday April 6 at 8 p.m. AST.
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