Gravel Shuts the Door on Cats

Photo - Myles Dennis

The Halifax Mooseheads have played 32 games and have recorded their 5th shutout of the season, which is five times the number of shutouts the team had last year. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex Gravel picked up his third career perfect game with a 33-save performance on Friday night to help the Herd to a 2-0 victory. It was also teddy bear toss game this evening and fans had to wait until the second period to throw their stuffed animals onto the ice. Halifax started off slow, getting outplayed in the first period but found themselves in a scoreless tie after 20 minutes despite being outshot 14-4 in the opening frame. Centre Raphael Lavoie travelled all day from Victoria after getting cut from Team Canada's world junior team last night and arrived at Scotiabank Centre just minutes before puck drop. The 18-year-old dressed quickly and received a big round of applause when he stepped on the ice during his line's first shift of the match. In the second, Halifax got a bit of momentum after killing off a late first period penalty that continued into the middle frame and Benoit-Olivier Groulx scored the opening goal almost 3 and a half minutes in to start the bear toss. That seemed to swing the pendulum from Moncton's way to the home team. Gravel still had to be strong at times and made some spectacular saves yet again while Francis Leclerc made some nice saves as well.

FINAL: Wildcats 0 at Mooseheads 2
Stars: 3. Raphael Lavoie HAL | 2. Francis Leclerc MON | 1. Alexis Gravel HAL
Attendance: 7,716
MC's Top Herd: Alexis Gravel

GAME LOG
First period
None

Second period
3:37 HAL Benoit-Olivier Groulx (18) | A: Lavoie & Bishop

Third period
12:55 HAL Samuel Asselin (23) | Morand & Toner

Shots: 33-31 in favour of Moncton
Powerplay: MON - 0-for-4; HAL - 0-for-2

NOT DRESSED - Jared McIsaac (WJC camp), Cole Stewart (healthy), Ostap Safin (WJC camp) and Samuel Dube (injured)

SCORES
Islanders 4 at Sea Dogs 6
Screaming Eagles 8 at Titan 4
Huskies 3 at Phoenix 4 SO
Cataractes 1 at Remparts 2
Tigres 3 at Sagueneens 2
Foreurs 1 at Voltigeurs 7
Armada 0 at Olympiques 4
Drakkar 4 at Oceanic 3

UP NEXT - Halifax will play their last game before the Christmas break tomorrow night as they host the Charlottetown Islanders. Puck drops at 7pm.