Islanders Hockey Club Extend New England Division Lead With Sweep 

The Islanders entered December’s games just two points up from their closest competition, the South Shore Kings. Since then, the Islanders have been able to pull away a bit to five points up in the New England Division, going 7-1-1-0 vs. the Kings’ 6-3-0-0. Both teams are still doing well to maintain some space above possible challengers. However, there’s very little wiggle room in either of their quests for the No. 1 seed in that division. 

The Islanders currently have a four-game winning streak going, second best in the league. Their two most recent wins came against the Northern Cyclones, their closest rival residing just about 10 miles away from the IHC’s home Skate 3 Arena. They won 3-2 and 5-0. 

• When the Islanders won that 5-0 game, they also improved their record in five-goal decisions to 5-0. 
• The Islanders also lead in one-goal wins, with a record of 10-0-4-1 with that differential. An OT game, it was their league-leading eighth such contest, and part of their league-leading 10 games beyond regulation. Their extra point from the victory (giving them a 4-4 OT record) also gave them the most points earned after regulation with 15. 
• The Islanders remain a staunch defensive team, one that’s hard to get goals out of and also even a tough team to get a shot on net against. They are second in team GAA with a 2.10 mark and second in fewest shots against at 31.83. 
• Frank Murphy’s fourth shutout (17 saves) tied him for the league lead with Connecticut’s Primo Baldassarre, and helped give the Islanders the most shutouts as a team with six this season. He is third in goals against average at 2.02, and third in save percentage (.937) and wins (15). 
• Braxton Powers’ 15th of the season was the OT game-winner in the 3-2 win, putting him into a tie for the league lead for overall GWG’s (six) and OT goals (two). He joined teammate Max Lundgren, also with six GWG’s, on the list. 
• Samuel Larsson’s power play assist on Powers’ first goal of that game added to his 13 power play assists and 15 power play points, both second in the league among defensemen. With 23 points in 30 games, he is sixth overall in NCDC defenseman scoring.