Mooseheads return to winning ways after shootout victory

Halifax returned home to host league points leader Antonin Verreault and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Friday at the Scotiabank Centre after their first Quebec road trip of the season. The Herd entered the night looking to start November off with a win after going 3-5-2 during the month of October, capped off by a 3-game losing streak going into Friday’s game. 

The 1st period ended scoreless with Mathis Rousseau playing his best hockey of the season so far, facing 19 shots with multiple scoring chances, including an extended 5-3 penalty kill, exciting the home crowd. The Herd ended the period with only one shot against Rouyn-Noranda goalie Samuel Meloche.  Shawn Carrier collided awkwardly with the end boards and appeared to be in distress, holding his left shoulder as he made his way to the Moosehead bench in the first five minutes of the 2nd period. He later returned in the 3rd period. 

The Mooseheads opened the scoring with rookie Daniel Walters burying his first at the Scotiabank Centre assisted by fellow rookie Amelio Santini and Cade Moser. Santini carried the puck down the left wing before finding Walters in front of the Huskies net for the one-timer past Meloche.

Bill Zonnon tied the game for the Huskies, tipping Lars Steiner’s shot past Rousseau for his 7th goal of the year 6:38 into the 3rd period.

Overtime was inevitable after several close chances near the Moosehead net. Mathis Rousseau ended regulation with 47 saves, and Huskie’s goaltender Meloche ended regulation with 14 saves. The Herd controlled most of the overtime with serious chances for Brady Schultz and Logan Crosby, the ladder attempting a between-the-leg shot. The game would require a shootout.

Jan Sprynar opened the shootout for the Herd, sending one over the Huskie net. Bill Zonnon attempted to beat Rousseau on the right but was turned aside. Owen Philips got the opportunity to give the Mooseheads the lead but was denied by Meloche. Antonin Verreault was next for Rouyn-Noranda but lost control of the puck. Liam Kilfoil ended the shootout, taking it down the right side and beating Meloche on the glove side to give the Herd the win in the shootout.

Halifax snapped its three-game losing streak at home in front of an electric Scotiabank Centre, improving to 8-6-2 on the season, while the Huskies fell to 8-3-5.

The Herd claimed all 3 stars of the evening, with Mathis Rousseau earning first-star honours with an outstanding 48-save effort. Amelio Santini claimed 2nd star with his assist on Walters opening goal, and Liam Kilfoil with 3rd star with a great all-round performance.

Halifax will be back in action on Sunday, Nov. 3, as they welcome Markus Vidicek and the Moncton Wildcats at 3 p.m. at the Scotiabank Centre. You can hear all the action on 95.7 NewsRadio with Garreth MacDonald.