Vidicek's 4-Point Night Powers Moose Over Phoenix
February 22, 2024 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Halifax Mooseheads News Release
The old rink in Sherbrooke - Palais des Sports Leopold-Drolet - holds some great recent memories for the Mooseheads and their fans after a thrilling semi-final series victory over the Phoenix last May, and the Herd felt right at home again on Thursday as the road trip continued through the picturesque Quebec town. Markus Vidicek led the charge with two goals and two assists while Mathis Rousseau continued his dominance of the Phoenix with 29 saves and the Mooseheads skated to a 5-2 victory.
Vidicek was one-of-five Mooseheads players to secure multiple points in the win as Halifax improved to 35-14-7-1 on the season. Brady Schultz kept his hot streak going with a goal and an assist to give him six points in his last two outings. Lou-Felix Denis also scored a goal and an assist as did Peter Reynolds, while Owen Phillips chipped in with a pair of assists.
Rousseau earned the first star of the game in his first time back on Sherbrooke ice since leading the Moose to a series-clinching 1-0 shutout win in Game 6 in last year's playoffs. The 19-year-old goaltender was beaten twice on Thursday and both goals came with an extra attacker on the ice for the Phoenix. Charles-Antoine Beauregard struck on a second period power play and Hugo Primeau tipped in a shot late in regulation with Sherbrooke goalie Jacob Brochu on the bench.
In and out so quick, it even fooled Lou.
Halifax started the scoring at the 7:59 mark of the first period when Vidicek, the game's second star, buried a blast from the circle on a one-timer. Jan Sprynar set up the goal and was filling in on the right wing on the top line with star Mathieu Cataford serving a one-game suspension following a checking to the head penalty in Monday's victory over Moncton.
The Mooseheads increased the lead to 2-0 in the second period when Peter Reynolds slid in a backhand shot through the five-hole of Brochu at 12:42. Sherbrooke broke through a few minutes later on the man advantage to break Rousseau's shutout bid on their 23rd shot of the game but Brady Schultz struck for a power play tally of his own just 1:42 later to restore the two-goal lead and it was 3-1 Halifax after two periods of play. With 111 career points, Schultz is now one point back of Justin Barron for a tie for ninth in franchise history in career points by a defenceman.
Schultzy is on a roll. Five points in two games.
The power play continued to be a blessing for the Moose in the third period when Lou-Felix Denis set up in the slot and hammered home the pass by Reynolds to put the visitors ahead by a 4-1 score with 5:41 remaining in regulation. Phoenix bench boss Gilles Bouchard did his best Patrick Roy impression by pulling his goaltender with 5:02 to go and the tactic initially paid off as Primeau lit the lamp to cut the Mooseheads lead to 4-2. Halifax was able to buckle down defensively as Sherbrooke kept six attackers on the ice and Vidicek eventually sealed the win by scoring into the empty net with just 29 seconds to go in the game.
Braeden MacPhee returned to the lineup for the first time in six games following an upper body injury. Logan Crosby picked up an assist on the Mooseheads second goal of the night by springing Reynolds with a nice feed. Rookie forward Antoine Fontaine was given the start in front of family and friends who made the 60 minute trek from his hometown of Granby, QC for the game. Luke McPhee and Dominic MacKenzie were healthy scratches for Halifax. Jordan Dumais remained out of the lineup but is inching closer towards a return. He is currently in Columbus where he has been skating this week as part of the rehab process from his lower abdominal surgery.
The road trip will continue on Friday night when the Mooseheads visit the Slush Puppy Centre in Gatineau to take on the Olympiques at 8pm AST. The final Quebec swing of the season will finish on Sunday afternoon at 4pm AST against the Quebec Remparts.
The next home game for the Mooseheads is scheduled for Wednesday, February 28th against the Cape Breton Eagles. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.ca.
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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2024
- Vidicek's 4-Point Night Powers Moose Over Phoenix - Halifax Mooseheads
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- Black History Month: Frantz Jean and Racism - Moncton Wildcats
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- Isles Hit the Road to Take on the Eagles - Charlottetown Islanders
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