Mooseheads take 1st game of weekend series in Newfoundland

Shawn Carrier’s first QMJHL hat trick propelled the Halifax Mooseheads to an 8-5 victory over the Newfoundland Regiment in the first of a two-game weekend series.

The Mooseheads opened the scoring at 6:17 of the first period as Carrier fired a shot from the point through traffic and beat Antoine Proulx. Louis-François Bélanger responded for the Regiment, beating Owen Bresson up close. Eddy Doyle retook the lead for Halifax with his first of the season from the right-wing faceoff circle, but Max Dineen tied the contest, knocking the puck into the Mooseheads’ net. Then goals from Quinn Kennedy and Connor MacPherson gave Halifax a two-goal lead.

In the second, QMJHL points leader Justin Larose scored his 14th of the season to halve the Mooseheads’ lead. Jasu Mensonen then scored to restore the Mooseheads’ advantage, taking a drop pass from Oleg Kulebiakin and firing from the goal line to beat Proulx at the 4:33 mark. Noah Laberge added a marker with six minutes remaining to give Newfoundland a one-goal deficit heading into the third period.

Carrier added his second of the game early in the third, taking a behind-the-net pass and beating Proulx in the crease. Justin Larose took a pass off the boards and powered to the net to score his second of the game, but goals from Kennedy and Carrier secured the win for the Mooseheads.

With the win, Halifax improves to 14-7-1-1 on the season.

Carrier earned first star for the Mooseheads with three goals and an assist. Kennedy received second star with a pair of goals and an assist, while third star went to Larose.

Halifax will continue its road trip Saturday, Nov. 29, as they wrap up their weekend series against the Newfoundland Regiment.

Catch all the action live on 95.7 NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. with Garreth MacDonald.