The Halifax Mooseheads faced a tough test on Saturday night as they hosted the Baie-Comeau Drakkar at Scotiabank Centre.
The game, which was the third contest of their four-game homestand, turned out to be a hard-fought battle that saw the Mooseheads ultimately fall short, losing 2-1 despite a standout performance from goaltender Mathis Rousseau. While the loss was disappointing, Halifax coach Andrew Lord was quick to heap praise on Rousseau, who was named the game’s first star for his remarkable 28-save effort. Despite the loss, the goalie’s performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging game for the Mooseheads, and Lord emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective as the team prepares for the final game of their homestand.
The Drakkar came into the game riding high with a six-game winning streak, and they wasted little time making their mark on the score sheet. Baie-Comeau opened the scoring in the first period, with Jérémy Leroux getting a stick on a puck in front of Rousseau to tip it past the Mooseheads’ goaltender, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. The goal came just over halfway through the opening period, and it was a sign of things to come as the Drakkar continued to apply pressure in the offensive zone.
Despite the early deficit, Halifax showed resilience, battling back throughout the game. The Mooseheads were able to tie things up in the third period when Daniel Walters pounced on a loose puck, finding the back of the net past Baie-Comeau goaltender Mathys Routhier. The goal, which came at the 3:42 mark of the third period, was a well-earned reward for Halifax’s continued offensive push. Walters’ goal was the culmination of strong puck movement, and it breathed new life into the team as they looked to secure a lead for the first time in the game.
However, the momentum was short-lived for the Mooseheads. Less than two minutes after Walters’ equalizer, the Drakkar responded with a powerplay goal from Raoul Boilard. Boilard’s goal, which came at the 5:17 mark, was a well-placed shot that eluded Rousseau’s glove. The tally put the Drakkar back in front 2-1, and that score would hold for the remainder of the game.
With time winding down in the final minutes, coach Andrew Lord made the decision to pull Rousseau for an extra attacker in hopes of creating a late-game surge. But despite the additional pressure, the Mooseheads were unable to convert, and the game ended with the Drakkar holding on for the victory.
For the Mooseheads, the loss dropped their record to 8-8-2 on the season, leaving them with a tough 1-2 record on their homestand. The Drakkar, on the other hand, extended their winning streak to seven games, improving their record to 13-5-1 on the year. The Mooseheads have shown flashes of brilliance this season, but consistency has been a challenge, and the team will need to focus on building momentum as they approach the second half of the season.
Even in the face of a tough loss, there were significant positive takeaways for Halifax, especially in the performance of Mathis Rousseau. The 20-year-old netminder was a standout for the Mooseheads, stopping 28 of the 30 shots he faced and keeping his team in the game despite the Drakkar’s sustained offensive pressure. His composure, especially in the face of difficult situations, was a testament to his growth and his ability to handle high-pressure moments.
Rousseau’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. The young goaltender was awarded the first star of the game for his efforts, and Halifax’s head coach Andrew Lord took the opportunity to praise his netminder’s outstanding play. In his post-game remarks, Lord spoke highly of Rousseau’s resilience and how his performance kept the Mooseheads in a game where they faced a potent offensive attack from Baie-Comeau. Lord also acknowledged that, although the team didn’t secure the win, Rousseau’s performance was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise difficult evening.
“Mathis was outstanding tonight,” Lord said in the post-game interview. “He gave us a chance to win and was our best player on the ice. He was poised, calm, and made some big saves at key moments. In a game like this, we needed him to be great, and he was.”
Lord went on to explain that although the team didn’t come away with the result they wanted, they would look to build on the positive aspects of the game, particularly Rousseau’s play. The coach emphasized that the team needed to stay focused and learn from their mistakes, pointing out that the margin between winning and losing in this league is often razor-thin.
“We have to regroup, but we can’t let this one define us,” Lord continued. “There were areas of our game that we need to improve on, but I’m proud of the way we competed. We’ve got to keep battling, and games like this are what make us stronger in the long run.”
While Rousseau’s performance was certainly a key storyline, the Mooseheads’ inability to capitalize on their opportunities was also a major factor in the loss. The team’s powerplay struggled throughout the night, going 0-for-3 with the man advantage. Halifax had chances to generate offense, but they couldn’t break through against Baie-Comeau’s defense, which was well-structured and hard to penetrate.
The team’s struggles on the powerplay have been an ongoing issue, and Lord addressed it in his post-game comments. “Our powerplay has to be better,” he said. “We’re getting opportunities, but we’re not converting. It’s something we’ll continue to work on and focus on in practice. Special teams are critical, and we’ve got to be more effective.”
One of the other positive developments for the Mooseheads came from Daniel Walters, who scored the team’s lone goal of the night. Walters, who has shown flashes of potential throughout the season, has continued to develop as a key contributor for Halifax. His goal in the third period was a well-executed play that saw him find space in the slot and capitalize on a rebound. For Walters, the goal was an important moment in what has been a somewhat inconsistent season for the young forward.
“We know we’ve got to be better as a team,” Walters said after the game. “But we’ll take the positives and keep working. We’ve got a good group here, and we’ll get better. We’ve got a lot of games left to play.”
Looking ahead, the Mooseheads will need to regroup quickly, as they prepare for a tough matchup against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Sunday, Nov. 10. The Titan have been dominant in recent meetings with Halifax, winning nine straight games dating back to last season. The game presents another opportunity for the Mooseheads to build on their strengths and address the areas where they have room for improvement.
For the Drakkar, the win was another strong showing as they continue their ascent in the standings. The team’s top goal scorer, Justin Poirier, who was held off the score sheet in this contest, is still one of the most dangerous players in the league, and Baie-Comeau’s defensive unit, led by Mathys Routhier in goal, is proving to be difficult to break down. With their victory, the Drakkar continue to build on their impressive form as one of the league’s top teams.
As for the Mooseheads, the 2-1 loss was a tough pill to swallow, but with the continued growth of young players like Mathis Rousseau and Daniel Walters, as well as the leadership of coach Andrew Lord, Halifax remains a team with plenty of potential. The road to consistency will be challenging, but with the right mindset and continued effort, the Mooseheads have the tools to get back on track and make a push for a playoff spot as the season progresses.
With their next game against Acadie-Bathurst, the Mooseheads will need to focus on execution and taking advantage of every opportunity, especially in special teams, to turn their fortunes around. It’s clear that the foundation is there, and with a little more consistency, Halifax has the potential to be a force in the QMJHL this season.
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