Oleg Kulebiakin's remarkable performance, highlighted by his first QMJHL hat trick, led the Halifax Mooseheads to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar on Friday night. The game was characterized by intense back-and-forth action, showcasing the talents of both teams.
The Drakkar opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period. Jacopo De Luca capitalized on a screen in front of Halifax netminder Nick Cirka, firing a precise shot into the Mooseheads’ goal at 5:36 during a power play opportunity. This early lead set the tone for the Drakkar, who were eager to maintain control of the game.
In the second period, the momentum initially shifted in favor of Baie-Comeau as Miller Kay extended the lead at 8:42. He deftly tipped in a shot from De Luca, pushing the score to 2-0. However, Kulebiakin was determined to change the course of the game. He responded decisively, scoring two goals to level the score before the second intermission. Kulebiakin netted his first at 12:19, cleverly burying the rebound from Liam Kilfoil's shot past Lucas Beckman, the Drakkar’s goaltender. His second goal came at 15:31, as he received a pass from Mensonen and skillfully directed the puck into the net, sending the teams into the locker room tied at two.
The third period saw more offensive fireworks, beginning with Mathieu Taillefer scoring his first QMJHL goal for Halifax. He slid a shot through the traffic in front, beating Beckman to give the Mooseheads their first lead of the night. However, Baie-Comeau quickly countered as De Luca found the back of the net again, tying the game at three. De Luca was on fire, completing his own hat trick and restoring the Drakkar’s lead at 11:49, demonstrating his prowess and scoring ability.
But the Mooseheads were not done yet. Kilfoil played a crucial role in the subsequent equalizer, redirecting a shot from Carlos Händel on the power play to bring the teams back to a stalemate. Just 17 seconds later, Kulebiakin struck again, scoring the game-winning goal after receiving a crucial pass from Kilfoil and finding the back of the Drakkar net. This decisive play not only secured the win for Halifax but also reaffirmed Kulebiakin's standout performance on the night.
Following this exhilarating victory, the Halifax Mooseheads improved their season record to 13-6-1-1. The game itself was notable for the standout performances, particularly from De Luca, who earned the first star for Baie-Comeau with three goals and an assist. Kulebiakin, with his impressive hat trick and an assist, received the second-star honors, demonstrating his significant contribution to the game. Miller Kay was recognized with the third star for his solid performance, which included a goal and two assists.
Looking ahead, the Halifax Mooseheads are set to continue their road trip on Saturday, November 22, as they face the league-leading Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Fans can catch all the action live on 95.7 NewsRadio at 5 p.m., with commentary provided by Garreth MacDonald.
