Islanders down Mooseheads
Sprong scores 17 seconds into game, McDonald stops 19 shots to shut out Mooseheads
The Charlottetown Islanders down the Halifax Mooseheads 6-0 in Q action.
The moose was definitely not on the loose Sunday as the Charlottetown Islanders shut out the Halifax Mooseheads 6-0 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey league action in Charlottetown.
Daniel Sprong scored the eventual game-winning goal 17 seconds into the first period while Mason McDonald stopped 19 shots for his first shutout this year, upping his record to 8-14.
It capped a solid weekend for the Isles, giving the squad points in eight of its last 10 games and bettering its record to 17-21-5-2. Halifax dropped to 15-25-5-1.
The game also helped clear some of the stink from Charlottetown’s overtime losses to Saint John on Friday and Moncton on Saturday, games the Isles led in the third period.
Islander forward Bradley Kennedy said the quick start set the night’s tone and the steady play can continue in the next contest Thursday versus Saint John at home. Game time is 7 p.m. at Eastlink Centre.
“I think that it definitely can. We back-checked really well, played solid behind the net,” said Kennedy, who chipped in two assists in the first period including a nifty effort to Oliver Cooper for the second goal. “We kind of built off Spronger’s goal. That got us going and we worked them down low and put the pucks in the net.”
Kameron Kielly, Samuel Blais, Mitchell Balmas and Jake Coughler had the other Isles goals.
Blais’ marker chased Herd goalie Eric Brassard for backup Kevin Resop with about three minutes left in the first period. Brassard allowed four goals on 13 shots.
It was the third time in three games Charlottetown has forced the opposing starting goaltender out in the first period.
Halifax was coming off its third game in four nights, including a 5-2 loss to Saint John on Saturday, and the slow start didn’t help a lineup minus forwards Danny Moynihan and Timo Meier, and defenceman Cody Donaghey, all gone to other teams in the trade period as the Herd rebuild.
But Mooseheads captain Taylor Ford wasn’t making excuses and he sees practice making perfect.
“That slow start, four goals and 18 shots, we had something like seven, I think that’s what killed us,” said Ford. “We’ll ... work hard in practice, and work on the things we need to work on. It all starts in practice. We have a big road trip to Rouyn and Val-d’Or (later this week). We’ll be ready.”
Kennedy was named the game’s first star. Blais and Sprong each had two assists.
Brassard’s record fell to 12-18.