The Halifax Mooseheads faced a disappointing defeat against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, losing 4-2 on Saturday night at Scotiabank Centre. This loss marked a challenging night for the Mooseheads as they struggled to gain control throughout the game.
The first period was dominated by the Huskies, who quickly established their offensive presence. William Vézina initiated the scoring at 4:39 with a deft tip-in shot that eluded Mooseheads goalie Owen Bresson. Halifax native Charlie Baningno increased the Huskies' lead to 2-0 at 17:34, successfully knocking the puck into the net for his second goal of the season, further energizing the visiting team.
As the second period began, the Mooseheads managed to find some momentum. Shawn Carrier put Halifax on the scoreboard at 10:25, sparking excitement among the fans as it coincided with the team's annual toque toss celebration. Oleg Kulebyakin was instrumental in the play, retrieving the puck behind the Huskies' net and passing it to Kilfoil. Kilfoil’s swift move allowed him to send the puck to Carrier, who capitalized on the opportunity and finished into an open net.
The third period saw a series of quick exchanges as the Huskies attempted to reestablish their lead. Benjamin Brunelle scored at 7:31, pushing the Huskies back into a comfortable 3-1 lead as he drove towards the Mooseheads' net and deftly chipped the puck past Bresson. However, the Mooseheads were quick to respond; less than 20 seconds later, Patrick McNab scored his second goal of the season, with assists from Paulo Gualberto Jr. and Amelio Santini, bringing the score to 3-2 and renewing hope among Mooseheads supporters.
Despite the Mooseheads’ spirited effort, Lars Steiner struck again for the Huskies, scoring his fifth goal of the season and solidifying Rouyn-Noranda’s advantage at 4-2. This goal effectively put the game out of reach for Halifax, sealing the victory for the Huskies.
The loss dropped the Mooseheads' record to 14 wins, 9 losses, 1 overtime loss, and 1 shootout loss (14-9-1-1) for the season, further challenging their standings in the league. In recognition of his performance, Brunelle was named the first star of the game for the Huskies, contributing a goal and an assist. Mooseheads goalie Bresson, who made an impressive 42 saves despite the loss, received the second star, while Vézina secured the third star with a goal and an assist.
The Mooseheads will continue their season as they prepare to host the Val-d’Or Foreurs on Sunday, December 7. The game is set to commence at 3 p.m. and will be accompanied by live coverage on 95.7 NewsRadio. Fans can tune in to hear Garreth MacDonald host the pre-game show starting at 2:30 p.m., providing insights and updates leading up to the matchup.
