Islanders advance to QMJHL semifinals

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.