Late heroics lead to OT win in Moncton
2024-01-14
The Halifax Mooseheads picked up a massive bounce back victory on Sunday afternoon in a key Maritimes Division matchup in Moncton. Markus Vidicek sent the game to overtime with the tying goal in the waning moments of regulation and set up Mathieu Cataford for the game-winner in a 4-3 victory over the Wildcats.
The win gives Halifax (26-11-5-1) a two-point cushion over the hard charging Cats (25-8-3-3) atop the division. Moncton is unbeaten in regulation in their last six games and have four games in hand over the Moose.
Goals from a pair of deadline additions had the Herd in front 2-1 going into the final 20 minutes of regulation as Jan Sprynar buried his second goal in 24 hours and Peter Reynolds scored for the first time in a Mooseheads uniform which led to a furious finish. Moncton pulled even on a Preston Lounsbury goal just a few minutes into the third period. The home team then took their first lead of the game at 3-2 as Olivier Boutin tallied with 1:45 to go before the horn, much to the delight of 6,035 fans inside the Avenir Centre. Just when it looked like the Mooseheads would run out of time, Vidicek showed why he’s one of the top snipers in the QMJHL with a perfect shot only 27 seconds after the Boutin goal to pull the Herd even 3-3 and force overtime.
This one tied it late.
🚨 Vidicek (31) 18:42 3rd period
🍎 Cataford, MacKinnon | #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/T1CdQJyUCQ— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) January 14, 2024
Vidicek was in the thick of it in the extra session as well. First, he drew a penalty while bearing down on goalie Jacob Steinman on a breakway to earn a penalty shot. The 19-year-old centreman couldn’t end the game with his attempt however as he beat Steinman but clanked his shot off the iron. Halifax continued to push and Cataford droppd the puck off in the left circle for Vidicek who took it behind the net and out the other side before spotting the Vegas prospect in the slot with a pass. Cataford made no mistake for his 26th goal and third game-winner of the season.
And this one won the game in OT!
🚨 Cataford (26) 3:55 Overtime
🍎 Vidicek, Furlong | #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/I62iO1hX24— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) January 14, 2024
Mathis Rousseau made 27 saves for his 17th victory and the Mooseheads rebounded from a Saturday night overtime loss at home against Quebec. Vidicek, Cataford and Reynolds each finished the game with a goal and an assist while other players to earn assists included Jake Furlong, Dylan MacKinnon and Lou-Felix Denis. Denis also had a game-high five hits while Furlong led both squads with a rating of +4.
Halifax returns to Scotiabank Centre ice this week for Student Night on Thursday at 7pm against Acadie-Bathurst and Saturday night at 7pm against Chicoutimi for DND Appreciation Night. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.ca.
