The Halifax Mooseheads faced a challenging match against the league-leading Chicoutimi Saguenéens on Thursday night, ultimately falling short in a closely contested game that ended 5-4 in overtime at the Scotiabank Centre. This loss impacted Halifax's overall record, bringing it to 19 wins, 16 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 2 shootout losses (19-16-2-2) for the season.

Halifax started strong, leading after the first period for the third consecutive game. Shawn Carrier opened the scoring at 10:04, receiving a pass from a falling Quinn Kennedy and skillfully beating Chicoutimi goaltender Raphaël Précourt with a well-placed shot past his glove. The Mooseheads held onto the lead until late in the period when Chicoutimi tied the game with a goal from Liam Lefebvre, who capitalized on a rebound against Mooseheads goaltender Owen Bresson.

The Mooseheads regained their lead at 18:03 of the first period, with Oleg Kulebiakin firing a snap shot from the right-wing faceoff circle, giving Halifax a 2-1 advantage heading into the second period. However, the Saguenéens responded quickly, with Alexis Toussaint scoring his third goal of the season, leveling the score at 2-2 in the second period. The back-and-forth dynamic of the match kept both sets of fans on the edge of their seats.

As the third period began, Chicoutimi gained momentum and took control of the game. Jordan Tourigny scored, followed by Christophe Berthelot, which gave the Saguenéens a commanding two-goal lead. Despite this setback, Halifax showed resilience and fought back. Samuel Rousseau emerged as a key player for the Mooseheads, scoring two goals that forced the game into overtime. Rousseau's first goal reduced the deficit, and his second goal, which occurred late in the third period, marked his first goal as a member of the Mooseheads, showcasing his impact on the team.

In the overtime period, the stakes were high, and tensions ran high as the players battled for victory. Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxim Massé secured the win for Chicoutimi, scoring his 32nd goal of the season, thereby clinching the game at 5-4. The dramatic finish left the Mooseheads and their supporters feeling a mix of disappointment and hope for future matches.

Despite the loss, Samuel Rousseau's impressive performance earned him the title of the game’s first star after scoring two crucial goals. Jordan Tourigny, who contributed with a goal and an assist, was recognized as the second star of the game, while Owen Bresson was awarded third star honors after making 38 saves in net for Halifax, demonstrating his skills and determination throughout the match.

Looking ahead, the Halifax Mooseheads will aim to bounce back as they prepare to host the Charlottetown Islanders on Saturday, January 17. This exciting matchup is set to take place at the Scotiabank Centre, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. Live coverage of the game will be available on 95.7 NewsRadio, and fans can tune in early as Garreth MacDonald hosts the pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The Mooseheads hope to translate their efforts into a victory as they continue their season.