The Charlottetown Islanders marked a decisive victory against the Halifax Mooseheads, winning 6-3 in a QMJHL match held at Scotiabank Centre on Saturday night. This contest showcased a strong performance by the Islanders, particularly in the first two periods, allowing them to establish a significant lead before the Mooseheads staged a late-game effort.
The scoring commenced at 9:38 in the first period when Ivan Ryabkin netted his first-ever goal in the QMJHL, putting the Islanders ahead early in the game. The second period saw Nathan Leek dominate the scoreline with an impressive hat trick, bringing the total to four goals for his team by the end of the period. His third goal marked a significant achievement, as he showcased exceptional skill and precision on the ice.
As the game progressed into the third period, the Halifax Mooseheads showed signs of resilience. Samueal Rousseau ignited the Mooseheads' comeback just 50 seconds into the period, netting his third goal of the season after receiving a crucial pass from teammate Quinn Kennedy. The momentum shifted further when Kennedy scored a controversial goal from a sharp angle, which initially led to confusion among the players and spectators. After a thorough video review, the goal was confirmed, bringing the Mooseheads back within striking distance.
Liam Kilfoil, contributing to the team's efforts, then added his tenth goal of the season, narrowing the gap to just one point. However, the Islanders quickly countered with Leek scoring his fourth goal of the night, which reinstated a degree of comfort for Charlottetown. Closing out the match, Ross Campbell scored an empty-net goal, ultimately sealing a definitive victory for the Islanders.
The defeat resulted in the Halifax Mooseheads dropping their overall record to 19 wins, 17 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 2 shootout losses (19-17-2-2) for the current season. On the other hand, this performance solidified Nathan Leek's position as a standout player, earning him the title of the game's first star with his remarkable four-goal performance. Quinn Kennedy was recognized as the second star due to his contributions, which included a goal and an assist. Ivan Ryabkin's impressive display earned him the third star, finishing the night with a goal and four assists.
Looking ahead, the Halifax Mooseheads are set to return to the ice on Thursday, January 22, against the Cape Breton Eagles at Centre 200. Fans can tune in for live coverage on 95.7 NewsRadio with Garreth MacDonald, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. The Mooseheads will aim to rebound from this setback, learning from their mistakes and building on the positives observed in the third-period rally against the Islanders.
