UPDATED: Business as usual for Islanders
The Charlottetown Islanders now know who they may play within the second spherical of the Quebec Main Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) playoffs.
The Islanders, coming off a three-game sweep of the Moncton Wildcats, will host the primary two video games towards the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the best-of-five collection at Eastlink Centre on Could 15 at 3 p.m., and Could 16 at 7 p.m. (Max 93.1 FM and Eastlink Tv).
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The Titan edged the RisePEI Mooseheads 2-1 within the fifth and deciding sport of an opening-round collection on Could 13.
“The opposite aspect of the coin is whoever you might be enjoying, they’re in the identical boat (not realizing who they’re going to play),” Islanders basic supervisor and head coach Jim Hulton advised the SaltWire Community on Could 12. “All season lengthy, we’ve actually tried to focus simply on our workforce and our course of. That half is simple.
“This time of the yr, it’s all about enjoying to your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses. For us, we attempt to emphasize that in our practices and preparation.”
“This time of the yr, it’s all about enjoying to your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses. For us, we attempt to emphasize that in our practices and preparation.” – Jim Hulton
The Islanders are the No. 2 seed within the Jap Convention playoffs whereas the Titan are No. 4. RisePEI entered the playoffs because the fifth seed.
The sixth-seeded Rimouski Oceanic upset the No. 3-seeded and Memorial Cup hosts Saint John Sea Canines 4-3 in additional time in Recreation 5 on Could 12.
Rimouski now takes on the top-seeded Quebec Remparts.
No strangers
Hulton stated the Islanders, Mooseheads and Titan are all acquainted with one another. The Maritimes Division groups performed one another eight occasions within the common season.
After clinching the collection towards Moncton on Could 9, the Islanders had Could 10 off earlier than returning to apply on Could 11.
“We tried to concentrate on our play away from the puck, our defence, angling, a whole lot of various things like that which can be going to be essential regardless of who (our opponent) is,” stated Hulton. “The specificity is extra the particular groups. We are able to begin to crack some video as soon as we do know (an opponent).”
Hulton stated the Islanders wish to construct off a dominating Recreation 3 efficiency towards the Wildcats. The top coach referred to as it the workforce’s finest sport of the collection – a 5-0 highway win whereas outshooting Moncton 42-13.
Fatigue might be an element with the Titan coming off a five-game collection, that included three additional time intervals on Could 11. Recreation 5 was initially scheduled for Could 12, however the QMJHL pushed it again a day following the marathon contest and the groups having to journey from RisePEI to Bathurst.
“We actually wish to pounce, and we wish to attempt to use these 5 days (between collection) of relaxation in a correct vogue so we will hit them with a whole lot of power proper out of the gate,” stated Hulton.
Balanced assault
The Islanders obtained contributions from all through the lineup within the collection towards Moncton, which additionally included 7-2 and 4-2 victories. For instance, 11 gamers had factors in Recreation 3, 9 gamers earned not less than some extent within the opener and eight gamers chipped in with both targets or assists in Recreation 2.
Hulton stated he was pleased with Charlottetown’s offence. He added that depth makes it more difficult for the opponents to concentrate on one line.
“We’ve got the posh of getting (Xavier) Simoneau and (Brett) Budgell on one line, and (Jakub) Brabenec and (Patrick) Guay on one other,” stated Hulton. “It forces groups to type of separate their checking. Some groups have a checking unit.
“In the event you solely have one offensive line, it’s a little bit bit simpler to close down. Now, rapidly, we’re getting contributions from (Michael) Horth, (Keiran) Gallant, (Drew) Elliott, guys on the third and fourth strains.
“All alongside, we thought depth could be certainly one of our strengths, and definitely it shone by means of within the first spherical.”
Praises defenceman
Requested if anybody, specifically, could have flown underneath the radar with their play towards Moncton, Hulton answered defenceman William Trudeau. The Montreal Canadiens’ draft choose scored two targets and added an help within the first two video games earlier than sitting out Recreation 3 with a one-game suspension.
“You search for guys who elevate from the common season, and that’s saying so much as a result of William had an excellent common season,” stated Hulton. “I assumed he was dominant the primary two video games, scored a few large targets for us early, seemed fast and assured.
“While you see your key guys stepping up, even from a very good common season efficiency, that’s what that you must push far.”
Trudeau, who had eight targets and 44 factors in 68 regular-season video games, is relishing the chance to compete in a traditional post-season. The 2020 gamers have been cancelled due to COVID-19, and final yr’s post-season occurred in a bubble in Quebec.
“We’ve got been ready for this second,” stated Trudeau, 19. “Final yr, it wasn’t the kind of playoffs we have been anticipating, however we have been fortunate to have playoffs.
“It’s the primary yr we will have common playoffs, even when it’s a best-of-five. We’re completely happy, actually excited and we wish to convey power.”
Boyd shut
Hulton anticipates six-foot-three and 204-pound left-winger Ben Boyd will likely be prepared for Recreation 1. Hulton stated Boyd, who has not performed since taking place with an damage March 13, has made large progress within the final week, has been practising as a daily and has been dealing with contact effectively.
Hulton stated the Islanders wished to place the Columbus Blue Jackets draft choose by means of yet one more check on Could 13 earlier than clearing him to play.
“You consider playoff hockey, you consider large our bodies, you assume north-south gamers and that’s what Ben does in addition to anyone within the league,” stated Hulton. “It forces the opposite workforce to change its method when you’ve the massive man coming down the wing on you.”
Jason Simmonds is a sports activities editor with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. @JpsportsJason
