Mooseheads thrill with 5-4 OT win
The Halifax Mooseheads were clearly hungry for a victory on Saturday night on home ice and worked extremely hard from start to finish against Baie Comeau in grabbing an much needed 5-4 overtime victory.
Danny Moynihan’s second goal of the night and 16th of the season came 2:52 into the extra period as Scotiabank Centre erupted into a thunderous roar and the Herd players poured off of the bench in celebration.
The Drakkar came dangerously close to ending it moments earlier when they had a wide open net on a wrap-around play but the long reach of Halifax defenceman Taylor Ford saved the day when he stopped the puck on the goal-line with his stick.
“I think those are the kind of bounces that go on your side if you deserve it and tonight we did deserve it,” said Mooseheads forward Timo Meier who helped set up the game-winner.
The San Jose prospect had a monster night on the stats sheet with one goal, three assists, four hits and was a +4 to earn the first star.
“It was a really tight game and they kept coming back but we kept pushing,” he said.
The Mooseheads and Drakkar combined for three goals in 39 seconds in the first period when Meier and Ford scored before second star Vaclav Karabacek tallied to make it 2-1.
Maxime Fortier had three points to earn the third star. The teams traded two goals apiece in the second period and Baie Comeau had the lone third period goal to force overtime.
Moynihan was thrilled to play the hero in the eighth win of the season for the Herd.
“It was a great win for the boys, you know I thought that was one of our best third period’s even though they tied it up we came back and pushed and we’re really happy with that outcome,” he said.
The Mooseheads fired 40 shots at Oilers prospect Keven Bouchard while Halifax starter Kevin Resop made 25 saves for his second win of the year.
An energized crowd of 6,706 went home happy as the Mooseheads improved 8-12-1-1 on the season and jumped two spots in the overall standings.
Mooseheads rookie Otto Somppi left the game in the second period and did not return after appearing to hurt his shoulder on a hit near the blue line. He is out indefinitely with an upper body injury pending further examination.
The Mooseheads will play road games next Thursday and Friday in Bathurst and Moncton before returning to home ice against Joe Veleno and the Sea Dogs next Saturday night at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Ticket Atlantic Box Office at Scotiabank Centre, select Superstore Outlets, www.TicketAtlantic.com or by phone at 902-451-1221.
Don’t forget to bring the whole family to the Mooseheads Fan Fest tomorrow afternoon from 2-4pm for lots of fun and games. The carnival-like event will feature bouncy castles, interaction with all the Mooseheads players, face painting, games and prizes. Fan Fest will be a hit with the kids and will take place at the World Trade & Convention Centre.
