Despite a strong 50 minutes of play, a third period breakdown by the Halifax Mooseheads resulted in the Herd falling 2-1 to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. The Sags took game two of the playoffs series at Centre Georges-Vézina.
The Saguenéens lost two players in the first period. Maxim Schäfer left the match with an apparent upper body injury after making contact with Malik L’Italien along the boards and Émile Ricard was assessed a five minute major penalty and a game-misconduct at 19:19 for kicking Daniel Walters on a faceoff. On the ensuing powerplay, Quinn Kennedy sniped his first of the playoffs past Chicoutimi netminder Lucas Beckman at 19:51 after taking a pass from Shawn Carrier.
It appeared the Saguenéens tied the contest early in the third period but it was called back after officials determined a kicking motion resulted in the goal.
Jordan Tourigny opened the scoring for Chicoutimi at 12:01 of the third period to tie the contest at one and two minutes later Maxim Massé fired the game winning goal past Nick Cirka.
The Saguenéens take a 2-0 series lead.
Massé was named first star of the game with a goal and an assist. Second star was awarded to Tourigny with a goal, while Halifax’s Cirka earned third star making 30 saves in the loss.
The Mooseheads return to action on Tuesday, Mar. 31 back at the Scotiabank Centre for game three of their first round series against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Halifax goaltender Owen Bresson will return to the lineup after he received a five game suspension for fighting on Mar. 13 in a matchup against the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Live coverage can be heard on 95.7 NewsRadio, with Garreth MacDonald hosting the pre-game show beginning at 6:30 p.m.