2018-09-21

One win down and 14 more games to go on the road before the Mooseheads get to play on home ice.

Patty Kyte played the hero on opening night by banking a shot off the back of Sea Dogs goalie Alex D’Orio 1:55 into overtime to help Halifax get off to a 1-0 start to the season. The game kicked off a lengthy road trip to begin the year with ongoing renovations taking place at Scotiabank Centre. The Mooseheads flooded onto the ice in celebration in a game that featured a comeback by the young Sea Dogs and a wild third period between the division rivals.

Halifax jumped out to an early lead on Friday night when Arnaud Durandeau skated untouched down the left side from the blue line and sent a wrist shot by Saint John goalie Alex D’Orio 3:15 into the contest. Durandeau tallied twice on the night and was named the third star. The fourth-year forward wasn’t playing on much rest after arriving back from New York Islanders training camp around 1am Friday morning.

The Mooseheads built the lead to 2-0 before the end of the opening period when a trio of call-ups connected for a goal. Gavin Hart jammed in a rebound with assists going to Nathan MacMillan and Curtis Heffernan. Halifax controlled much of the period and led 12-6 in shots.

BOX SCORE

The home team bounced back with a much different approach in the second period and got a goal from Robbie Burt to cut the Moose lead in half 2-1. The Dogs kept goalie Alex Gravel much busier by firing 11 shots in his direction to set up a wild final stanza. The teams combined for five goals in the third period including three in the final 2:55 of regulation. Rookie Brady Burns tied the score 2-2 with his first career goal before Durandeau’s second of the game put the Mooseheads back in front 3-2 near the midway mark of the period. The Sea Dogs tied it again at 17:05 as Josh Lawrence lifted in his own rebound for his first career tally. The back-and-forth continued moments later with Justin Barron giving Halifax a 4-3 lead with 1:25 left on the clock, seemingly putting the game out of reach. The Dogs still had some bite left in them however and with the net empty at the other end of the ice, William Poirier notched the tying goal with just 25 seconds to go.

The Poirer goal had the crowd of 4,002 buzzing but it wasn’t long before Kyte silenced the fans with his OT winner. Kyte also had an assist in the win while Raphael Lavoie, Joel Bishop, and Marcel Barinka were the other players to be credited with helpers. Final shots were 38-36 Saint John as Gravel earned the victory with 34 saves. Neither team could convert on the power play as the Mooseheads went 0-3 and the Sea Dogs were 0-2. Samuel Asselin made his Halifax debut after being acquired earlier in the day from Acadie-Bathurst. He was a +1 and went 13 of 28 in the face-off circle while playing on a line with Durandeau and Lavoie.

Halifax will try for a second straight win to begin the season when they visit Charlottetown Saturday night at 7pm. The Mooseheads home opener is set for Saturday, October 27th at 7pm against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Individual tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, October 3rd at 11am at the Ticket Atlantic Box Office, select Superstore Outlets, TicketAtlantic.com, the Official Mooseheads Shop in Scotia Square Mall or by calling 902-451-1221.

Mooseheads 2018-19 Season Ticket Memberships and 15-Game Packs are on sale now at TicketAtlantic.com, the Official Mooseheads Shop in Scotia Square or by calling 451-1221.