The Charlottetown Islanders have advanced to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
The Islanders defeated the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 5-2 on Thursday at Centre 200, completing a sweep. The Isles likely would have advanced to the third round last night, but the series was pushed back a day after Game 3 was postponed due to a broken pipe under the Centre 200 ice.
The Islanders/PEI Rocket/Montreal Rocket franchise has been in operation since 1999 and has been underwhelming almost every season, to say the least. Montreal never made it past the first round; PEI made it to the second round once (2003-04); and Charlottetown has made to the quarterfinals three times (2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17).
The franchise had its best ever regular season this year, posting a record of 46-18-4. Only the top-seeded Saint John Sea Dogs had a better record.
The Islanders are the second team to advance to the QMJHL's semifinals, joining Saint John. Both teams are 8-0 this post-season.
There's a very real chance the final four could feature three Maritimes Division teams. In the other series, Bathurst (6th seed) leads Blainville-Boisbriand (5th) 3-1 while the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (2nd) and Chicoutimi Sagueneens (8th) are tied 2-2. Both series will hold Game 5s on Friday night.
The Sea Dogs (1st) will face the lowest seeded team that advances.
I'm assuming you meant three Maritime teams.
ReplyDeleteIn the Q it is actually called Maritimes Division. Spell check cant help you here!
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