2018-11-03

The Mooseheads got back on the winning page on Saturday night in front of 8,256 boisterous fans with a 6-2 victory over the Val d’Or Foreurs. Halifax dominated the 3rd period with four unanswered goals to cruise to the win while improving their overall record to 13-4-0-0. The power play proved to be a huge factor for the Mooseheads who went 3-for-4 on the man advantage.

Box Score

No player had a bigger night than defenceman Walter Flower who’s two goals sparked the home team and came at key times. Benoit-Olivier Groulx also contributed two goals, both coming on the power play just 1:07 apart late in regulation to put the game out of reach. Samuel Asselin’s goal on the man advantage 4:59 into the 3rd period stood as the game winner while Jordan Maher also lit the lamp in the victory.

Val d’Or was the first team to strike when Julien Tessier scored for the 4th time in 2 games by picking the top corner on a power play with 1:48 to play in the opening period. The Mooseheads continued to move the puck around well on offense and finally broke through with Flower’s first of the game on a gorgeous pass from Arnaud Durandeau early in the 2nd period to tie the game 1-1. Jordan Maher came down the right side and fired a shot by goalie Mathieu Marquis exactly one minute later to give Halifax its first lead of the game.

The Foreurs were able to tie it 2-2 on a controversial play near the end of the period as Flower took a high stick to the face near the net but play was allowed to continue and Ivan Kozlov scored much to the chagrin of Flower who was standing on the goal line with blood streaming down his face.

Head Coach Eric Veilleux had his team in high spirits as the 3rd period began and the Moose put on an excellent performance to bury the Foreurs who were finishing their third game on a Maritime road trip. Samuel Asselin, who was a force throughout the game, finished off a play set up by Ostap Safin on the power play to put the Moose in front 3-2 and the great crowd at Scotiabank Centre let out a booming roar almost at the same time Asselin gave an emphatic fist pump. That goal opened the flood gates as Flower scored his 2nd of the night about 2 minutes later when he was given plenty of time in the slot and then Groulx finished it in style with his 2 power play tallies.

Alex Gravel had a sound effort in the win with 21 saves on 23 shots for his league-leading 10th victory. Marquis faced 41 shots and stopped 35.

3 Stars: Walter Flower earned the 1st star for his 2-goal outburst. Samuel Asselin’s overall dominance and game-winning goal helped him take the 2nd star and Ostap Safin was terrific in his 1st game since September 28th with a pair of assists. Safin had been out with a lower body injury and appeared in just his 3rd game as a member of the Mooseheads.

Scratches: Jocktan Chainey was held out of the lineup with a minor injury suffered in practice earlier in the week. Kyle Petten and Samuel Dube remained out with long-term injuries while Brock McLeod was a healthy scratch.

Next Game: The Mooseheads have a quick turnaround and will entertain the Moncton Wildcats Sunday afternoon at 2pm at Scotiabank Centre. Tickets are on sale now at the Ticket Atlantic Box Office, select Superstore Outlets, www.ticketatlantic.com or charge by phone 451-1221.