CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Reid Vos had two goals, including the winner, to help beat his former team Saturday night.
The Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild defeated the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Knights 4-1 in New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Major Midget Hockey League action at MacLauchlan Arena. The Wild have won all three meetings this season with their provincial rivals.
“It’s a big game against (our) Island rival and the boys just got up and we had some fun,” said Vos, a 16-year-old forward from Charlottetown.
Donovan Arsenault gave the visitors a 1-0 lead when his backhand shot beat Knights goalie Jack Howatt four minutes into the game. The Wild fed off the goal and eight minutes later Vos fired a shot high glove from the faceoff circle to give Kensington a 2-0 lead they would take into the first intermission.
The Knights generated chances, but each time Wild goalie Jonah Arbing, another of the six former Charlottetown major midgets, rose to the occasion. Head coach Kyle Dunn said the netminder was confident in the crease, played the puck well and did not allow many rebounds while making 35 saves.
“He kind of ate a lot of pucks and kept it clean in front of our net and that’s kind of what we’re expecting from our goaltending,” he said. “He played well.”
Landon Clow made it 3-0 midway through the second and Vos scored his second of the night 12 seconds later.
Knights captain Max Chisholm potted a loose puck in the crease for a power-play goal to get the home side on the board late in the second, but it was all the offence the young team could generate. Marshall Gallant and Colby Huggan had the assists.
Both teams had lost Friday night. The Wild dropped an 8-5 decision in Saint John, N.B., while the Knights fell 4-1 at home to the Fredericton Caps.
“The loss last night was a bad reflection, but to come in here, have a good game and get a W before we’re off to Quebec is huge,” Vos said after Saturday’s game.
The Wild will take part on the CCM Midget AAA Challenge starting Wednesday in Chicoutimi, Que. Kensington took part in the tournament in 2018.
Dunn said he was pleased to see his squad rebound after losing Friday and getting home late.
“It was good to see our fight back,” he said. “Playing your cross-town rivals, it’s good to see the energy . . . There’s nothing the coaches have to do. These guys are already up for this game.”
The game got chippy in the third.
After three minor penalties being called in the first 40 minutes, the teams combined for 14 minors and eight 10-minute misconducts in the third period.
Dunn said it was a lesson learned for his squad as the games get bigger heading down the stretch and into the playoffs.
“You’re going to have to keep your emotions in check,” he said.
Crosby Andrews and Kalib Snow each had two assists for the Wild while Reid Peardon had one.
Jack Howatt made 27 stops in the loss.
Charlottetown was 1-for-4 on the power play and killed all three of Kensington’s chances with the man advantage.
The Wild improved to 11-5-2 and sit second in the six-team circuit while the Knights (5-11-2) have lost six straight and are in the basement.
Knights head coach Luke Beck and assistant coach Jason MacDonald were away this weekend. Assistant coach Ben MacDonald declined comment after the game.
The Knights host the Northern Moose Friday at 7 p.m.
Provincial rivalry
A look at the outcomes and remaining games between the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild and the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Knights
Sept. 20
Kensington 6 Charlottetown 4
Oct. 5
Kensington 5 Charlottetown 1
Dec. 7
Kensington 4 Charlottetown 1
Dec. 26
Charlottetown at Kensington, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 31
Kensington at Charlottetown, noon
Feb. 1
Charlottetown at Kensington, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21
Kensington at Charlottetown, 7 p.m.
* The teams will play in the provincial championship series to determine the Island representative for the Atlantics.
