Moose Score Exciting Victory in Moncton for First Win
Published on September 30, 2023 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Halifax Mooseheads News Release
Moncton, NB - Your Halifax Mooseheads came out aggressive and hungry in Moncton on Saturday night and kept up the relentless attack for the entire 60 minutes while riding a 26-save performance from Mathis Rousseau to a 3-1 victory over the Wildcats.
Rousseau, the second star of the game, made his season debut along with Mathieu Cataford, Jake Furlong and Dylan MacKinnon as the four Mooseheads veterans returned from NHL training camps to give a major boost to the Halifax lineup. Rookie Lou Levesque scored his first career goal during the first period while Reece Peitzsche notched the eventual game-winner on a third period power play and Cataford buried a shot into an empty net to seal the win in the final minute as Halifax won for the first time in three games this season.
Head Coach Jim Midgley had his team looking in fine form in front of more than 5,700 fans at the Avenir Centre to spoil the Wildcats' home opener while simultaneously handing Moncton their first loss of the year after the Cats had started the season 3-and-0.
Levesque was a factor all game and used his speed to draw a pair of penalties, including a slashing call on Olivier Boutin early in the second period resulting in a penalty shot. The Moose rookie tried to slip one in on the backhand but first star Jacob Steinman made the save. The Wildcats goalie was locked in a duel with Rousseau and finished the night with 32 saves.
It was a welcome sight to have Cataford back in the lineup after the Vegas Golden Knights prospect had been sidelined with an upper body injury since getting hurt in preseason action on September 9th against Charlottetown. The 18-year-old forward scored once and added an assist and was named the third star. Defenceman Brady Schultz chipped in with a pair of assists while Captain Jake Furlong and forward Logan Crosby added single helpers.
First overall draft pick Caleb Desnoyers had the lone goal for Moncton with his second of the season.
The New Brunswick road trip continues Sunday afternoon at 3pm for the Mooseheads when they face-off with Acadie-Bathurst at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre. Halifax will also visit Cape Breton on Wednesday night before returning to Scotiabank Centre for a pair of games Friday, October 6th versus Victoriaville and Saturday, October 7th against Blainville-Boisbriand. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.ca.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2023
- Mooseheads Hold Off Wildcats In Home Opener - Moncton Wildcats
- Moose Score Exciting Victory in Moncton for First Win - Halifax Mooseheads
- Squires Plays Overtime Hero as the Eagles Top Sea Dogs - Cape Breton Eagles
- Isles Drop Back-To-Back Games at Home - Charlottetown Islanders
- Eagles Looking for Weekend Sweep in Saint John - Cape Breton Eagles
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