Mooseheads back in action this weekend after week off

This weekend, fans in Halifax may get a sneak preview of the Moosheads' first round playoff series match-up.

The Chicoutimi Saguenéens, led by 2018 first overall pick Hendrix Lapierre and San Jose Sharks prospect Vladislav Kotkov, make their only stop at the Scotiabank Centre on Sunday afternoon. 

With the adoption of a new playoff format during the offseason, the Mooseheads, the second place team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Eastern Conference, could face the seventh-seeded Saguenéens in the opening round of the playoffs at the end of March.

Sunday's matinee match-up is the second and final meeting of the regular season between the two clubs. They last faced off back on Oct. 5 at the Georges Vezina Centre, a thrilling 5-4 victory for the Mooseheads thanks to captain Antoine Morand's game-winning goal 1:17 into overtime.

The Mooseheads have not played since last Saturday night at the Scotiabank Centre when they defeated the Moncton Wildcats 5-1 in front of more than 9,700 fans.

Before the team is back on home ice, Halifax will travel to Moncton on tomorrow evening for a re-match with their Maritimes Division rivals.

The game will also serve as a re-match of sorts for Mooseheads forward Raphael Lavoie and Wildcats sophomore winger Jakob Pelletier who faced off on Thursday night during the Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Red Deer, Alta.

Pelletier and Team Orr defeated Lavoie's Team Cherry 5-4 in overtime.

You can listen to Saturday night's game live at 7 p.m. on NEWS 95.7 from the Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B.

HALIFAX (32-10-2-1) vs MONCTON (26-15-3-3), 7 p.m. on Saturday on NEWS 95.7

The Mooseheads are 4-0-1-0 against the Wildcats this season and undefeated at the brand new Avenir Centre.

Benoit-Olivier “Bo” Groulx potted a pair of goals for Halifax while Arnaud Durandeau, Raphael Lavoie, and Samuel Asselin each chipped in single markers during last Saturday's 5-1 win.

Asselin's goal was his 32nd of the season, good for third overall in Q goal scoring behind only Baie-Comeau's Ivan Chekhovich and Nathan Legare.

Defenceman Jared McIsaac picked up a pair of assists in the victory to continue on his point-per-game pace. He now has nine goals and 21 assists in 30 games this season.

It was a chippy game at times with Patty Kyte dropping the gloves with Dylan Seitz after a big hit on Justin Barron behind the Mooseheads net in the second period followed by a skirmish that led to eight 10-minute misconducts being handed out.

The Mooseheads will be without Kyte tomorrow in Moncton. He was suspended one game for removing Seitz's helmet during their tussle.

HALIFAX (32-10-2-1) vs CHICOUTIMI (23-16-3-4), 3 p.m. on Sunday on NEWS 95.7

On Sunday, fans in Moose Country will get their first look at 2018 first overall pick Hendrix Lapierre. 

The Gatineau native is second on his team in scoring with seven goals and 26 assists in 35 games this season. Only teammate Vladislav Kotkov (21-18-39 in 43 GP) has more points.

The Saguenéens are hot right now, having won four in a row including a 2-1 victory over the Remparts last Saturday in Quebec City.

Montreal Canadiens prospect Samuel Houde scored the game-winning goal in the third while goaltender Alexis Shank (13-8-1-3, .908 SV%, 2.65 GAA) made 29 saves to earn his thirteenth win of the season.

You can listen to the game live from the Scotiabank Centre at 3 p.m. on NEWS 95.7.

Don't forget to join us for the Burrito Jax Pre-Game Show at 2:30 p.m. and stick around after the game for the East Side Mario's Post-Game Show.