The Halifax Mooseheads faced off against the Victoriaville Tigres on Saturday night at the Scotiabank Centre, ultimately falling short with a 4-3 defeat in overtime. This loss marked the Mooseheads' fifth consecutive defeat, a tough blow for the team as they search for a turnaround in the ongoing season.
The game began with both teams quickly exchanging goals in the first period. Victoriaville was the first to light the lamp, with Enzo Lottin scoring just under three minutes into the matchup, sending a powerful shot past Halifax goaltender Jacob Steinman. However, the Mooseheads quickly responded seven minutes later. Shawn Carrier, fresh out of the penalty box, received a pass from Owen Phillips and unleashed a shot that found its way over the pad of Tigres goalie Gabriel D'Aigle, marking Carrier's 15th goal of the season.
As the second period unfolded, it was once again Victoriaville who struck first. Seven minutes into the frame, Thomas Gagnon capitalized on an opportunity, beating Steinman from close range and giving the Tigres a temporary lead. Nevertheless, the Mooseheads retaliated almost immediately. Quinn Kennedy launched a shot towards the Tigres net, which found its way to Braeden MacPhee. MacPhee cleverly redirected the puck past D'Aigle, leveling the score once more.
The third period followed the same pattern, with Victoriaville starting off by taking the lead again. Maddox Labre managed to sneak a puck past Steinman, placing the Tigres ahead. However, Halifax was not ready to concede the game. Callum Aucoin, in his second game as a Moosehead, made a significant impact by scoring an important goal. He tipped in a pass from Patrick McNab that tied the game and sent it into overtime, showcasing resilience from the Mooseheads in the face of adversity.
Overtime was a tense affair, with both teams jockeying for control. Just three minutes into the extra period, Thomas Paquet managed to get the better of Steinman, scoring the decisive goal for Victoriaville. This sudden victory for the Tigres left the Mooseheads grappling with disappointment as they faced the harsh reality of their recent losing streak.
With this latest defeat, the Halifax Mooseheads' record now stands at 17 wins, 30 losses, and 8 overtime losses. In contrast, the Victoriaville Tigres improved their season record to 15 wins, 35 losses, and 4 overtime losses, celebrating a crucial win as they continue their campaign.
Despite the outcome, Jacob Steinman put forth a commendable performance for Halifax, making 30 saves and earning the first star of the game. On the opposing side, Samuel Vachon captured the second star, while Thomas Paquet, the hero of the night, secured the third star accolade for his overtime winner.
Looking ahead, the Mooseheads are set to return to the ice on Thursday, February 27th, as they travel to TD Station to challenge the Saint John Sea Dogs. Fans can catch all the action starting at 7 p.m. on 95.7 NewsRadio, hoping for a change in fortune for the struggling Mooseheads as they pursue a much-needed victory.
