Simplifying the game
Islanders looking to showcase strong forecheck in weekend games with Cape Breton
The Charlottetown Islanders are looking to infuse some of the principles that make them a strong team into their play this weekend.
They include skating hard and employing a tenacious forecheck. They don't consist of trying to be too cute or fancy.
The Islanders (9-2-0-0) will need it as they host a Cape Breton Eagles (6-6-0-0) team that swept the second-place Acadie-Bathurst Titan last weekend while the Islanders split with Halifax and Moncton.
“I think the biggest thing for us is getting back to our game. I think last week we strayed away from that,” defenceman Noah Laaouan said.
“If we can get back to our game and play the game the Islanders are known to play, I think we can have a lot of success against them.”
The Isles and Eagles play tonight and Saturday with both games beginning at 7 p.m. at the Eastlink Centre.
A week ago, the Islanders intensity wavered a bit, but the intensity in practice was better as the lessons were learned.
“The skating and intensity are big part elements (or) components of that forecheck, so we want to make sure we get that back,” head coach Jim Hulton said.
Lukas Cormier will be playing his final two games with the Isles before departing for Red Deer, Alta., to take part in Team Canada’s world junior camp.
He is hoping to leave the squad after a pair of strong performances against Cape Breton.
“We can’t take them lightly,” the 18-year-old blueliner said. “They’re a good team, so I think we just have to play our game.”
Cape Breton has some top-end players, too, including Shawn Element, Nathan Larose, Ryan Francis, Jarrett Baker and Felix Lafrance.
“We’re going to have to be aware of them at all times on the ice and attempt to shut them down and try to attack their depth,” Hulton said.
“Where they really go to work is on the power play, so you have to make sure your discipline is strong.”
Cape Breton has the division’s top power play (31.6 per cent) and penalty kill (88.1 per cent) while Charlottetown is second at 30.4 per cent efficiency with the man advantage and 84.8 per cent when shorthanded.
The Eagles have a trio of Prince Edward Island natives on their roster, including defencemen Logan Kelly-Murphy (China Point) and Jacob Squires (Charlottetown), plus forward Jack Campbell (Souris).
Colten Ellis will start at least one of the games with the Eagles.