Islanders Prospect Report: May 14, 2024

GEORGE NOTCHES GAME-WINNING ASSIST IN 2OT

What a way to cap off a comeback. 

Isaiah George recorded the primary assist on the game-winning goal to help the London Knights beat the Oshawa Generals 7-6 in double-OT on Monday night to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the OHL Finals. 

After winning 15 of their first 17 postseason games, George and the Knights are one win away from the OHL title and advancing to the Memorial Cup. 

The Knights earned a pair of dominant wins in the first two games of the championship series – outscoring the Generals 17-2 in Games 1 and 2 combined – but found themselves in a sizable hole in Game 3.  Down 3-0, 4-1 and 6-2, it took a furious four-goal effort in the third period for the Knights to force overtime.  

Tied at six post-regulation, 22 minutes of intense overtime hockey led up to the game-winner for the Knights. George garnered the trust to be on the ice to start the first overtime session and generated quality looks for London in sudden death play. 

Early into the first overtime, the defenseman fired a hard shot from the blueline that narrowly missed the net and slammed into the boards. The Islanders’ 2022 fourth-rounder (98th overall) also finished a well-timed check in front of the net that led to his own scoring chance. 

Two minutes into double-OT, George ripped a shot from the point toward the net that teammate Henry Brzustewicz redirected for the game-winner.

George has been a valuable asset on London’s blueline throughout its deep playoff run – contributing 11 points (4G, 7A) in 17 games – while remaining defensively responsible with a plus-15 rating in the postseason. 

George has assists in back-to-back games and recorded five shots on goal in Game 1, which marks his highest shot total in this postseason. 

The 20-year-old defenseman is thriving in his third season with the Knights, making it to the OHL Finals for the second consecutive year. George and the Knights are vying to take care of unfinished business, as they fell in six games to the Peterborough Petes in the OHL Finals last year. This time around, they have their opponent pinned down 3-0 with an opportunity to sweep the Generals on the road in Wednesday’s Game 4 contest. A win punches their ticket to Saginaw, Michigan, the site of this year’s Memorial Cup, which is the first to be held in the U.S. since 1998.

GILL AND DRAKKAR FACE ELIMINATION IN QMJHL FINALS

Justin Gill and the Baie-Comeau Drakkar are on the brink of elimination after a 6-2 loss to the Drummondville Voltigeurs on Monday night, down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.  

The Drakkar entered the championship series on the heels of winning 12 of their first 13 postseason games, but the offense has slowed in the past three contests in the QMJHL Finals against Drummondville.

Gill was held off the scoresheet for three straight games, as his team was limited to just two goals in the series. They were shut out in both Game 1 and 2, with 5-0 and 1-0 losses respectively. 

Gill, who the Islanders drafted 145th overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, still holds a tie for second in postseason scoring in the league with 24 points. The 21-year-old forward is competing in his fourth career playoff run in the QMJHL, posting career highs in goals (10) and assists (14). 

Gill and the Drakkar will look to keep their season alive on Tuesday night in Game 4 in Drummondville. 

STATS

CHL:

Isaiah George | London (OHL) | 68GP, 6G, 24A, 30P, 54PIM

Isaiah George | London (Playoffs) | 17GP, 4G, 7A, 11P, 2PIM

Justin Gill | Drakkar de Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) | 65GP, 40G, 58A, 98P, 64PIM

Justin Gill | Drakkar de Baie-Comeau (Playoffs) | 16GP, 10G, 14A, 24P, 18PIM