The Halifax Mooseheads faced off against the Shawinigan Cataractes on Friday night, embarking on a three-game road trip through Quebec. This matchup marked the first meeting of the season between the two teams and was particularly significant for goaltender Owen Bresson, who returned to Shawinigan after spending the previous season with the Cataractes before joining the Mooseheads in the off-season. Additionally, forward Quinn Kennedy made his return to the lineup following a two-game suspension for fighting.
Halifax opened the scoring at 12:42 of the first period. Shawn Carrier, who has been in strong form, scored his 26th goal of the season after receiving a pass from Oleg Kulebiakin. Kennedy assisted on the goal, marking his first point since returning from suspension.
The Cataractes leveled the game in the second period. Cole Chandler took advantage of a loose puck, slipping it past Bresson at 12:54, which ignited the home crowd. The momentum shifted as the two teams exchanged chances, intensifying the competition on the ice.
Shawinigan gained their first lead of the night at 16:32 of the third period when Frédéric Bergeron found the back of the net, beating Bresson with a well-placed shot. In a bid to equalize, the Mooseheads pulled Bresson for an extra attacker at 17:18. However, moments later, Chandler struck again, scoring into the empty net and securing a 3-1 victory for the Cataractes.
With this loss, the Halifax Mooseheads' record fell to 20-19-3-2, creating a challenging scenario as they look to regain their footing in the competition. The defeat also highlighted the need for the team to improve their defensive play and capitalize on scoring opportunities moving forward.
In recognition of their performances, Shawinigan defenceman Julien Lanthier was named the first star of the game with an assist. Carrier's lone goal earned him the second star, while Chandler's two-goal effort secured him the third star of the night.
Halifax is set to continue their road trip on Saturday, January 31, as they face the Victoriaville Tigres at the Colisée Desjardins. Fans can catch all the action live on 95.7 NewsRadio with announcer Garreth MacDonald providing commentary. The puck drop for this upcoming game is scheduled for 7 p.m., promising another exciting night of junior hockey.
