If only Charles Bety’s scoring touch was contagious.
The 20-year-old forward continued his hot streak with another goal on Thursday night, but his Halifax Mooseheads teammates couldn’t follow suit in a 3-1 loss to the Moncton Wildcats at the Metro Centre.
The Mooseheads can’t shake a dry spell that has seen them score just 17 times in eight games and go 1-for-21 on the power play in their past five contests.
“For sure, when you see guys like (scoring leaders Carl) Gelinas and (Martin) Frk shooting and not scoring, it’s frustrating for them,” said Bety, who has seven points in six games and has picked up a point on six of the team’s past seven goals.
“But that’s the game. The only thing you can do is keep battling.”
The Mooseheads went 0-for-3 with the man advantage and couldn’t buy a goal while outshooting the Wildcats 30-23, but the Wildcats — whose power play operates at a deadly 27.2 per cent — had little trouble in that department, going 2-for-3.
That was the difference as the Mooseheads lost for the sixth time in seven games to fall to 10-21-0-1.
While Bety’s scoring streak is modest, it’s about the only thing the Mooseheads have to build on offensively.
“Charles is one of our best players and if you want to follow an example, you have to look at him,” said rookie centre Francis Turbide.
“He’s working hard and getting results.”
Bety’s goal cut a 2-0 Wildcats’ lead in half early in the second period.
He drove to the net, took a pass from Martin Frk and put it in the top of the net.
He said there’s no magical formula for his success.
“I’ve gotten more ice time and I’ve taken my opportunities,” Bety said. “The puck’s bouncing for me and I’m a hard worker and the last week or so, it’s paid off.”
– For coverage of Saturday’s 7 p.m. Mooseheads game against the Quebec Remparts at the Metro Centre, follow @metroqfiles on Twitter or visit www.metronews.ca/qfiles.
