SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Maxime Fortier scored twice and Alexis Gravel stopped 31 shots as the Halifax Mooseheads opened the 2017-18 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season with a 4-1 win over the Saint John Sea Dogs on Thursday.

Xavier Parent chipped in the game-winning goal for the Mooseheads (1-0-0) at 12:16 of the second period. Filip Zadina also scored for Halifax.

The Mooseheads led 4-0 early in the third period before Daniel Hardie scored for Saint John (0-1-0), which had 5,349 in attendance for its home opener.

Alex D’Orio made 24 saves for the defending President Cup champion Sea Dogs.

Halifax was three for three on the power play while Saint John went 1 for 7.