CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - The ball is in the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild court now after the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride served its way back into the teams P.E.I. final with 3-2 win on Saturday.
Kensington leads the best-of-seven Island final 2-1. Game 4 in the N.B.-P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League matchup is Wednesday at Bell Aliant Centre, starting at 7 p.m. and Wild head coach Kyle Dunn knows his crew is ready to return serve.
“We have a bunch of guys that were here last year (when we) came back from 3-1,” Dunn said. “Obviously we know we haven’t won anything.”
Game 4 is pivotal. Win and the Pride send things at least to a Game 6; lose and Kensington has its foot to Charlottetown’s throat.
The Wild got out to 2-0 lead in the series thanks to an 8-1 series-opening win and 6-2 win in Charlottetown in Game 2.
But the Pride regrouped in Game 3, scoring twice in the first period and adding a second-period score for 3-0 lead. Then it hung on as the Wild scored twice in the last five minutes of the second to close the gap to 3-2.
And it’s that start Price head coach Luke Beck wants to see again.
“It’s important that you’re focused and ready to go when the puck drops, allow the game to to be played,” said Beck, adding his group shouldn’t be nervous about what Game 4 means. “It’s the same game these guys have been playing all their lives. They aren’t dumb either. This time of year they know it’s important.”
Kensington’s lineup is healthy as it can be for this time of year and Dunn said he “expects all 20 guys in the lineup.” Starting goalie is Caleb Coyle.
Charlottetown skates minus an injured Riley MacDougall and Luke Garnhum who’s serving the last game of a three-game suspension.
Erik MacInnis gets the start in goal.
The Tale Of The Tape
A look at the Charlottetown Pride-Kensington Wild playoff series after three games.
Game 1
Kensington 8 Charlottetown 1
Turning Point - Chandler Wood, Colby MacArthur and Evan Gallant score in the first 10 minutes of the first period.
Game 2
Kensington 6 Charlottetown 2
Turning Point - Evan Gallant scores twice in second period.
Game 3
Charlottetown 3 Kensington 2
Turning Point - Cole Larkin scores early in the second period to give Charlottetown a 3-0 lead.
