At long last, the floodgates opened for the Halifax Mooseheads.
In an outburst rarely seen at the Metro Centre in recent years, the Mooseheads completely manhandled the P.E.I. Rocket in a 6-1 home win before a crowd of 4,271 yesterday.
It marked just the third time in almost three years the Mooseheads had won by a five-goal margin on home ice, and it helped the club shake off a four-game losing streak.
“There are no words to describe it,” said 20-year-old defenceman Pascal Amyot, who was the first star after recording a goal and an assist. “It’s our first win at home and it’s huge for the fans to see us win this way. It’s a great step in the right direction.”
The kids continued to deliver for the Herd, with rookies Darcy Ashley, Matthew Boudreau and Simon Desmarais finding the net. Meanwhile, the veterans, who were singled out by Mooseheads head coach Cam Russell last week, bounced back strong.
Captain Travis Randell and over-agers Amyot and Charles Bety provided the rest of Halifax’s goal-scoring.
“It was just what we needed,” said Mooseheads centre Brent Andrews. “All the boys, from (age) 16 to 20, played a good game on the ice today and that’s what we need to be successful.”
Both teams had Saturday night off, but the Mooseheads showed incredible jump from the opening faceoff and never let up, finishing with a 39-25 edge in shots.
The Mooseheads, who also put up a great effort in Friday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Saint John Sea Dogs, are feeling good about things after collecting three of a possible four weekend points.
“That really shows us the potential we have,” Amyot said. “If we play together, keep it simple, and stick to our game plan, we can beat any team.”
No words from Lavigne
P.E.I. Rocket head coach Eric Lavigne wasn’t talking after his team was dismantled by the Halifax Mooseheads yesterday.
Lavigne stayed on the team bus despite interview requests from Metro. One member of the team’s staff said he “wasn’t feeling well” and another said he was “in a bad mood.”
League rules dictate that “win or lose, no player, coach or director may … refuse to answer (journalists’) questions.”
P.E.I., 4-5, was expected to be a contender this season.
