Stepping up
Teammates come to Joseph’s defence after Islanders captain hit from behind in dying seconds of win
Pierre-Olivier (P.O.) Joseph was in the middle of everything in Sunday’s Charlottetown Islanders victory.
The captain had a goal and two assists on his team’s first three goals, blocked a shot in the third period and was at the centre of a dustup with two seconds remaining as the Isles defeated the Moncton Wildcats 4-2.
Joseph and Summerside native Jeremy McKenna were battling behind the net when a Moncton player hit Joseph from behind. A pileup ensued and when the dust settled four unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were issued.
“It’s alright. It’s just emotions. It’s part of the game,” Joseph said. “We understood both teams got what they deserved.”
After Joseph was hit his teammates came to his defence.
“It’s incredible. I love all of them from the (bottom) of my heart,” he said. “I know if something happens to them, I’m going to be there as well.”
Hunter Drew was one of the Isles on the ice at the time.
“P.O. is a big part of our team and he had a really big night, (including) a block shot at the end, so (we’re) definitely not going to let anything happen to him,” he said.
Matthew Welsh got his first leaving his goal crease penalty on the altercation.
“Scrums happen like that, it’s all in the heat of the moment,” he said.
With the Wildcats having an empty goal, Welsh said he wasn’t going to have his teammates outnumbered. His older brother, Nicholas, was on the ice at the time, but they didn’t get mixed up.
A hush came over the Eastlink Centre crowd when Joseph blocked a shot in the third period. Athletic therapist Kevin Elliott attended to him and helped him off the ice.
Joseph went into the hallway by the Islanders bench, but returned to the ice a short time later.
“It’s going to be better. It’s part of the game, blocking shot,” he said with his customary smile.
“I take it for the team.”
Charlottetown held period leads of 2-1 and 3-1 and beat its former netminder, Mark Grametbauer, with the win.
“It’s really special,” Matthew Welsh said. “I’m just really happy for our team tonight. We’ve been really putting out good efforts lately.”
Charlottetown (24-12-2-0) is tied with Acadie-Bathurst (2112-6-2) for second place in the Maritimes Division and seven points back of Halifax for top spot. Charlottetown has three games in hand on the Mooseheads and the Titan.
Joseph said Sunday’s points are important with the division being so tight.
“We want to take all the games like their four-point games.”
With the trade period over, the Islanders know who they will be going to battle with during the next few months. The players said they were sad to see teammates go, but pleased with the guys that have come in.
“Now we know who is going to be here for the rest of the year. We’re coming together and getting a win like that helps,” Drew said.
“We’ve been the underdogs since the first game and we’re still going to be at the 68th,” Joseph said. “There’s great people (on our team) and we all want to battle with each other.”