RECAP: Olivier Groulx nets first QMJHL goal in road loss to Mooseheads
HALIFAX, N.S. – The Saint John Sea Dogs faced off against the Halifax Mooseheads at the Scotiabank Centre in their fourth encounter of the season on Thursday night. Despite a great performance by goaltender Patrick Leaver, who made 31 saves, the Sea Dogs lost 3-2.
The first period got off to a slow start for the Sea Dogs. Egan Beveridge served a delay of game penalty at 14:38. The Mooseheads benefited from the man advantage, with Jan Sprynar opening the scoring at 16:01. The first came to an end with the Mooseheads leading 1-0, outshooting the Sea Dogs 13-1.
The second period was filled with offensive opportunities from both sides, yet neither managed to change the scoreboard. Penalties in the middle frame to Darien Reynolds of the Sea Dogs and Mooseheads captain Jake Furlong, for tripping and checking to the head respectively, gave each side a chance on the powerplay. However, neither side was able to convert and the period came to an end with the score at 1-0 for the Mooseheads.
Saint John got another powerplay opportunity early in the third period after a hooking call against the Mooseheads’ Dylan MacKinnon, and this time they converted. Eriks Mateiko had his initial shot blocked, but gathered the rebound and buried his 19th of the season, tying the game at one at 4:43. The Sea Dogs then took the lead at 9:01 with Olivier Groulx sniping the top right corner for his first goal in the QMJHL, assisted by Nicolas Bilodeau and Matteo Mann. However, the Mooseheads rallied back with Peter Reynolds scoring on the powerplay to tie the game at 14:05, and Jake Todd netting the game-winner at 15:44. The final score was 3-2 for the Mooseheads who held the lead in shots 34-27.
Next game for the Sea Dogs is Friday night as they wrap up their eight-game road swing against the Charlottetown Islanders. They’ll finally be back on home ice next week for the One for All Festival presented by TD starting on Thursday, February 15th against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Tickets for the upcoming home games are available at the TD Station box office, by calling (506) 657-1234 or online at tickets.tdstation.com.
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