On the of brink elimination, Charlottetown Islanders know 'backs against the wall'

After sweeping through the firsttwo rounds of theplayoffs, the Charlottetown Islanders, the QMJHL's second best team during the regular season,now find themselves on the brink of elimination.

TheIslanders return to the Eastlink Centrefor game five Saturday afternoon, trailing theBlainville-BroisbriandArmada 3-1 in their best-of-seven semifinal series.

"It's a little bit of adversity for the first time and it's the old adage adversity reveals character and we really believe in the character in our dressing room," said Islanders head coach Jim Hulton.

"Right now the focus is just win a game.It's not about being down 3-1, it's just win a game, play our best hockey and move on."

'First goal is paramount'

Winning three straight games is a tall order indeed, but not impossible.

Two weeks ago, Blainville-Broisbrianderased a 3-1 Acadie-Bathurstseries leadtheir quarter-final. The Armada reeled offthree consecutive wins to advance tothe semifinals to face the Islanders.

If the Islanders are to win, they'll have to do it without their leading scorer.

DanielSprongwas suspendedfor game fiveafter a hit near the end of game four on Wednesday.

"The start is the key for us," Hultonsaid.

"We're a team that started really on home ice all season. I think we have to do that. We actually had a really good start last game in their building, but we were down 2-0, so I think the first goal is paramount for us. That's not always in your control, but I think shots and traffic in front of their goaltender and that will be at least a start for us."

'Don't want this ride to end'

"The goal right now is to not look too far ahead," he added. "If you look at the mountain sometimes it can be overwhelming. Just win a game, win your first shift, get something positive to happen and carry on from there."

"Hockey is a game of inches," added defencemanCarl Neill. "They've been getting the bounces lately. We've got to work a little harder and hopefully the bounces will go our way. It's a big elimination game, so it's going to be up to us."

Hultonsaid the Islanders havebeen a resilient bunch all year, and he expects they'll be ready to battle in front of their home fans.

'This is the reason you fight for it'

"You battle all season for home ice for exactly these reasons," Hultonsaid.

"A lot of times home ice gets overused and cliche, but this is the reason you fight for it, so when your backs are against the wall, you have the comfort of being at home, you have the support of the hometown crowd, and our building has been electric in the playoffs and we expect a wild atmosphere tomorrow."

"It's a mature group, they know what's at stake and they don't want this ride to end."

The first puck drop is scheduled for Saturday at 4:00 p.m.If the series goes to game six, it wouldbe played Sunday afternoon in Blainville-Broisbriand, Que.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS IP.E.I. kids do their best Bruce and Boomer impressions
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS IGreen Gables opens for season on May 1