ISLANDERS TAKE 2-0 SERIES EDGE INTO GAME 3 TONIGHT

Islanders take 2-0 series edge versus Screaming Eagles into Sydney, N.S.

Jim Hulton has every intention of calling a spade a spade as the Charlottetown Islanders skate into Game 3 against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Tuesday in Sydney, N.S.

“We haven’t accomplished a damn thing,” said Hulton, who draws double duty as Isles head coach and general manager.

And he’s right. The Isles lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series 2-0, a nice advantage after 3-2 double overtime and 6-4 wins over the weekend at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown.

But for Hulton, two wins does not clinch this series. Certainly going up 3-0 pushes Cape Breton closer to being ousted, however, Hulton said improvements must come if the Isles want to win what’s been a close series.

“We have to minimize their Grade A chances. We’ve been giving up too many odd man rushes. And we have to sustain our time in their end, force them

to defend.”

Game time for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League tussle is 7 p.m. at Centre 200.

So far the post-season matchup has followed the regular-season blueprint. It goes like this: Charlottetown won the season series 5-3-0-1, but just one point (87 Isles, 86 Eagles) separated the squads in the standings. The teams split four games in Sydney with a 14-10 Eagles goals for-goals against advantage.

Playoff-wise, Game 1 took Brett Budgell’s goal 5:43 into the second OT for the Isles to get a victory. And in Game 2 the Eagles soared back from a 4-2 deficit to tie the game in the third period, forcing the Isles to find a way to win.

And down 2-0, Hulton also knows the Eagles and The Nest faithful won’t go quietly.

“We addressed it a little bit at a meeting… be prepared for a storm. We’ll have to play strong positionally and weather it,” Hulton said. “We’ve been fortunate to get (the lion’s share) of the bounces, but both sides have shown a ton of resilience. It’s far from over.”

Game 4 is Wednesday at 7 p.m. Game 5, if necessary, tees off Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Charlottetown.

JASON MALLOY/THE GUARDIAN Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Hunter Drew, right, looks to pass the puck forward against Cape Breton Screaming Eagles blue-liners Wilson Forest (12) and Adam McCormick (#7 on helmet) in Game 1 of the best-of-seven first round QMJHL playoff series in Charlottetown on Friday night.