Ross Campbell Scores Overtime Winner for Islanders in Thrilling Match

Ross Campbell delivered a decisive overtime goal for the Charlottetown Islanders, clinching a crucial 2-1 victory against the Cape Breton Eagles on March 13, 2025. With the game on his stick, Campbell scored just 2:06 into the overtime period, marking his 28th goal of the season in the QMJHL. This win propelled the Islanders to maintain their position in the playoff race, as they have won nine of their last ten games.

The Islanders improved their record to 32 wins, 21 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 6 shootout losses, solidifying their fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They sit two points ahead of the Quebec Remparts, who also played on the same day and secured a 3-1 victory over the Gatineau Olympiques. The Islanders are now just three points behind the Newfoundland Regiment, who currently hold third place, and are set to face the Moncton Wildcats in back-to-back games starting March 14.

Thrilling Atmosphere at Eastlink Centre

The match at Eastlink Centre drew an impressive crowd of 3,244 fans, marking the seventh time in eight games that the Islanders have attracted over 3,000 attendees. This season has seen a franchise record for attendance, highlighting the growing support for the team. Fans witnessed a tightly contested game characterized by playoff-style intensity and remarkable goaltending.

Islanders’ goaltender Donald Hickey was particularly outstanding, stopping 39 of 40 shots, including a flurry of 15 saves in the first period alone. Meanwhile, Connor Towle, the Eagles’ netminder, faced 29 shots, saving 27 attempts. The Eagles initially took the lead in the first period with a short-handed goal from Reece Peitzsce, who scored unassisted at 12:49.

The Islanders equalized in the second period, with Nathan Leek netting his 47th goal of the season at 12:05. The stage was set for Campbell’s overtime heroics, with the winning goal being assisted by Ivan Ryabkin, a recent acquisition from the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Ryabkin has been a standout player since joining the Islanders, contributing significantly with 39 points in just 18 games.

Looking Ahead

In their upcoming matches, the Islanders will host the Saint John Sea Dogs on March 15 at 14:00 local time. Following this, they will conclude the regular season with a critical home-and-home series against the Moncton Wildcats. The first game will take place in Charlottetown on March 20 at 19:00, followed by the second match in Moncton on March 21 at 16:00.

Neither team was able to capitalize on their power play opportunities; the Islanders went 0-for-3 while the Eagles were 0-for-5. The game’s three stars were awarded to Donald Hickey (1), Connor Towle (2), and Ross Campbell (3), reflecting the standout performances on both sides.

As the Islanders continue their playoff push, the contributions of players like Campbell and Ryabkin will become increasingly vital. With the momentum on their side, the team looks poised to make a strong run in the final stretch of the season.