The Halifax Mooseheads faced off against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in a heated match that showcased a flurry of scoring from both teams. The game started off in favor of the Mooseheads, as Oleg Kulebiakin scored at 6:27 in the first period, marking his 17th goal of the season with a precise sharp-angled shot that found the back of the net past Chicoutimi goaltender Raphaël Précourt.
However, the momentum shifted significantly as the Saguenéens took control of the game throughout the remainder of the first period. Jacob Gomez and Émile Guité struck back, both beating Mooseheads' goalie Owen Bresson to gain a lead for Chicoutimi. The situation worsened for Halifax when Daniel Walters received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct at 16:52 for making a kicking motion towards an opposing player. This led to a power-play opportunity for the Saguenéens, which Peteris Bulans capitalized on, extending their lead before heading into the second period.
The second period witnessed a series of events that would change the dynamics of the game once again. Starting off with a devastating moment for the Mooseheads, Mathieu Taillefer exited the match due to a knee-on-knee collision with a Chicoutimi player during the initial frame—raising concerns about the injury's impact on the team. Despite this setback, Halifax managed to create some offensive momentum early in the second period. Amelio Santini tied the game by sneaking a shot past Précourt while the Mooseheads were short-handed, showcasing their resilience. Liam Kilfoil followed suit by tipping in a shot from Shawn Carrier during a power play, bringing the game to an even score.
As the game progressed, however, the Saguenéens once again pulled ahead, re-establishing their two-goal lead heading into the final period. Maxim Massé and Emmanuel Vermette each found the back of the net for Chicoutimi, giving them a 5-3 advantage. With both teams eager for victory, the third period saw Chicoutimi continuing to dominate both offensively and defensively. Goals from Christophe Berthelot, Alexandre Desmarais, Emil Ricard, and Vermette capped off a commanding performance, ultimately leading to an overwhelming final score.
As the game concluded, the Halifax Mooseheads were left to grapple with a defeat, bringing their season record to 13-7-1-1. The Saguenéens swept the game's three stars, with Maxim Massé taking the first star after contributing a goal and an assist. Emmanuel Vermette earned the second star with an impressive two goals and two assists, while Jacob Gomez rounded out the honors as the third star with a goal of his own.
Looking ahead, the Mooseheads gear up to continue their road trip on Friday, November 28, with an upcoming match against the Newfoundland Regiment. Fans can catch all the action live on 95.7 NewsRadio starting at 6:30 p.m., with Garreth MacDonald at the helm.
