Islanders/Rocket Finally Moving On

For the first time since 2004, the Charlottetown Islanders/PEI Rocket have advanced to the second round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs.

The Islanders booked their ticket to the league’s quarterfinals with a 4-3 overtime victory in Sherbrooke last night. Spenser Cobbold scored at 13:34 of OT to give the Isles a 4-2 series win over the Phoenix.

Making the series win even more impressive was that fact that goaltender Mason McDonald, a Calgary Flames prospect, hasn’t played since game three due to an injury. Backup Daryl MacCallum has been superb in relief.

Daryl MacCallum stopped 138/145 since coming in relief of Mason McDonald. Story of the playoffs, as far as I'm concerned. #QMJHL
— Jonathan Dunphy (@Jonathan_Dunphy) April 7, 2015

Charlottetown was the lower seed entering the series but finished only three points back of Sherbrooke.

The series win has been a long, long time coming for the Islanders and their fans. The fact that the Sea Dogs didn’t even exist the last time Charlottetown/PEI won a playoff series is a good indication of that.

The Islanders feature former Sea Dogs Oliver Cooper and Will Thompson.

The only second round matchup that has been confirmed so far is Gatineau-Rimouski. The Olympiques, who were the league’s hottest team entering the playoffs, upset the No. 3 seeded Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in six games.

Moncton, Baie-Comeau, Val-d’Or and Charlottetown have all advanced but are waiting to see who their opponents will be. The first round ends tonight with two game sevens: Halifax is in Shawinigan and Cape Breton is in Quebec City.

The Screaming Eagles forced a game seven with a 4-3 overtime win last night.

The Remparts, this year’s Memorial Cup host, won’t play again until May 21 if they are eliminated tonight.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation