Titan crashes party in Halifax, blanks Mooseheads 4-0

Bathurst, NB, Friday, September 18th, 2015 – A hungry Titan team travelled to the Scotiabank Centre to face-off against the Halifax Mooseheads. And on this night, Mario Pouliot’s men gave little chance to the home team, as the Titan skated away with a 4-0 victory.

Acadie-Bathurst began the game in full force as Nicholas Blanchard, the silent assassin, scored a shorthanded goal in the opening minutes of the first frame. The Titan’s speed and intensity quickly gave the Halifax defense fits, such as when Mark Simpson hit the crossbar with a wrist shot, or when Egor Popov singlehandedly split the defense before taking a quality shot on net.

It was however only in the second period that the Titan were able to separate themselves from the Mooseheads, as the visiting team took advantage of a five on three power play to score two quick goals. First, rookie Antoine Morand pounced on a rebound to find the back of the net, and, moments later, Mark Simpson fed Vladimir Kuznetsov with a cross ice pass, leaving the Russian forward with an empty net that he did not miss. The marker was Kuznetsov’s first career junior hockey goal.

Jordan Maher completed the scoring in the third period, as he took advantage of an identical pass from Simpson once again. And while the goal was officially scored at even strength, it must be noted that Halifax’s Maxime Fortier had left the penalty box only four seconds prior.

Éric Brassard was solid between the hometown pipes, making 25 saves, while the Titan’s masked man, Reilly Pickard, was perfect in picking up a 26 save shutout.

The weapon of mass destruction strikes yet again

Armed with a wrist shot that surely gives opposing goaltenders nightmares, rookie Antoine Morand once more found the back of the net with his terrific wrist shot. He now has three goals in his last two games.

Fire in their eyes

The intensity displayed by the Titan in this game was truly exemplary, with numerous instances displaying just how badly this team wanted to win. Most notable was Jeffrey Viel, whom in the first period, succeeded in making a behind the back pass while simultaneously being tripped by a Halifax defenseman. That “second effort”, to use the hockey term, allowed Viel to land the pass squarely on Mark Simpson’s stick, thus allowing him to take two shots on net right from the slot area.

Later in the game, Samuel L’Italien sacrificed his body to block a shot on a penalty kill, and while the shot obviously left a bruise (or worse), the young forward found the strength to come back and finish the game.

All eyes on the next home game

While the Titan’s next two games will be on the road, all eyes are squarely aimed at the next game to be played inside the K.C. Irving Regional Centre. Indeed, on Sunday, September 27th, the Saint John Sea Dogs will be in town for what will be the first game Joe Veleno plays against the Titan.

Last June, Veleno became the first player in QMJHL history to be granted exceptional player status, thus allowing him to continue his career in junior hockey despite being only 15 years of age.

The Maximus Boulevard opens its doors

The game against the Sea Dogs will also be the first time the Maximus Boulevard opens its doors. This new initiative for the Titan’s youngest fans will allow them to partake in activities before games and during intermissions.

Determined to offer a world class in game experience, the Titan are proud to offer such innovations to their fans. Tickets are available at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre box office, by phone at 549-3200 or 1-877-549-3200 or online at admission.com

Game notes

Acadie-Bathurst Titan line combinations 
Christophe Boivin – Antoine Morand – Egor Popov
Jeffrey Viel – Mark Simpson – Jordan Maher
Nicholas Blanchard – Samuel L’Italien – Vladimir Kuznetsov
Jake Smith – Campbell Pickard – Daniil Miromanov

Nicholas Dumulong – Mark Trickett
Anthony Beaulieu – Françis Thibeault
Andrew Cordssen-David – Elijah Francis

Reilly Pickard
Daniel Vautour

Players not in uniform: Yan Plourde, Xavier Vinetti, Guillaume Brisebois, Félix Boivin et Arthur Miller

Power Play
Halifax : 0/6
Bathurst : 2/6

Face-offs won
Halifax : 28
Bathurst : 30

Bodychecks
Halifax : 11
Bathurst : 4