The Halifax Mooseheads ran out of magic in the Battle of Nova Scotia.
A couple of weeks after snapping a 14-game losing streak against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, the Mooseheads couldn’t make it happen again and were swept by their provincial rivals on the weekend, losing 4-1 yesterday at the Metro Centre and 6-4 on Friday in Sydney.
The last-place Mooseheads led early in the second period of each game — 1-0 yesterday and 3-0 on Friday — but ultimately succumbed to a more powerful squad.
“We put in a lot of effort (in both losses) and we did a good job,” said Mooseheads rookie defenceman Konrad Abeltshauser.
“We didn’t have the lucky bounces and if we stay more away from the penalty box, we can beat them.”
When 19-year-old Pascal Amyot was injured late in the first period yesterday, the Mooseheads were in trouble on defence. Already without Garrett Clarke (suspension) and Steve Gillard (strep throat), the Herd was left with veteran Paul Dimitruk and four rookies, including two 16-year-olds.
The Screaming Eagles poured it on in a three-goal, 15-shot second period to grab a 3-1 lead and held on, although the Mooseheads’ youngsters did an admirable job defensively.
“It made it tough, but it gives the young guys a lot of experience and an opportunity to earn ice time,” said Mooseheads right-winger Travis Randell, who scored on Friday. “It’s a learning experience and it helps for next year.”
The Screaming Eagles scored on some nice passing plays, with Canadian world junior standout Luke Adam netting a pair and Maxime Legault adding a single.
Pier-Antoine Dion scored into an empty net with 11 seconds remaining. Mathieu Corbeil was solid in the Halifax goal, earning third-star honours with 34 saves. Tomas Knotek scored.
The Mooseheads host the Bathurst Titan on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Metro Centre. They wrap up their home schedule on Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Moncton Wildcats.
Elimination looms for Moose
The Halifax Mooseheads are all but mathematically eliminated from the QMJHL playoffs. With eight games remaining, the Mooseheads, 13-42-5, have 31 points, while the Lewiston Maineiacs, 21-35-3, hold down the final playoff spot with 45 points. The Mooseheads, who are unlikely to have the tiebreaker on Lewiston, would need the Maineiacs to lose every remaining game and finish 7-0-1 themselves. The Mooseheads are also nearing franchise lows for losses (17) and points (44) set back in 2003-04.
