Gignac nets winner in Cataractes comeback win
SHAWINIGAN, Que. – After a history-filled win over Val-d’Or Friday night, the Cataractes were back on the ice hosting the Halifax Mooseheads at Centre Gervais Auto Saturday night.
The game featured familiar faces from both teams after the Cataractes and Mooseheads hooked up for a pair of trades this holiday season. Cataractes 2015 first round selection Jocktan Chainey made his return to Shawinigan after being dealt in the deal that sent Danny Moynihan to the Cataractes. Moynihan, and fellow former Moosehead Cavan Fitzgerald, were facing their former team for the second time since the trades took place.
Halifax opened the scoring in the second period when Ilya Putintsev ripped home a powerplay marker at 15:18 of the middle frame. Connor Moynihan and Joel Bishop got assists.
Mathieu Olivier tied the game a minute past the halfway point of the third period, beating Eric Brassard for his 11th goal of the year. Helpers went to Samuel Asselin and Samuel Girard.
Vincent Watt responded for the visitors three minutes later giving the Mooseheads back the lead, 3-2. His 8th of the campaign was assisted by Morgan Nauss and Max Fortier.
The Cataractes waited until the dying seconds of the game to knot it back up, 3-3. Dennis Yan scored the equalizer with four seconds to play with helpers going to Dmytro Timashov and Cavan Fitzgerald.
Brandon Gignac scored the game-winning goal two minutes into the 3-on-3 extra frame as Timashov and netminder Philippe Cadorette got assists. Cadorette also made 21 saves in the victory.
