QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Trying to stay alive for a second time in their quarterfinal series the Halifax Mosseheads were successful in winning game five, 3-2. Halifax scoring leader, Nathan MacKinnon played the hero in front of 9,664 fans.
Opening the score for the fifth time in the series Halifax traded the lead with their opponent all game but the Mosseheads got the last word forcing game six in Quebec.
Keeping his team in the game making key saves at important moments Zachary Fucale in making 24 saves on 26 shots.
Beside MacKinnon (1g-1a), joining late in regular season from Midget AAA (Halifax first round pick in 2011 2nd overall) Jonathan Drouin also is another young 16 years old who helps the author of game winning goal offensively ending with 2 assists.
Thinking he had given the lead to Halifax with 9 seconds remaining to Quebec left winger Anthony Duclair penalty for high sticking, Luca Ciampini saw his goal been refused after video review. Referee Mario Maillet said, “The goal was out of his moorings before the puck went in.”
After killing a penalty to Jonathan Drouin (also been cut for high sticking) Quebec best scoring opportunity, came from the stick of Adam Erne, who saw Mosseheads goalie Zachary Fucale stealing Quebec left winger making save with his right pad.
Opening the score in first four games, Halifax took the lead for fifth time with Cameron Critchlow’s 5th of the series.
Victim of a turnover in center ice Quebec defenseman Marc-Antoine Carrier saw Martin Frk steal the puck making great pass to Cameron Critchlow who took first shot on Quebec netminder.
After seeing Louis Domingue make a save on Mosseheads left winger, being tenacious in goalmouth the Mosseheads captain saw his effort be rewarded pushing the puck behind Quebec goalie with 2:33 left to the first period.
A penalty to Citchlow for checking from behind with only 1:51 gone in second period opened the door to Quebec.
Scoring only one goal in 11 power play opportunities since last two games in Halifax, Quebec power play finally work for Patrick Roy’s team.
Frustrating Quebec right winger Logan Shaw Mosseheads netminder was unable to do anything on Martin Levebvre wrist shot from the point giving no chance to Halifax netminder who had been beaten high on right side at 3:13.
Halifax regained the lead 2-1 when defenseman Trey Lewis redirects Nathan MacKinnon shot with 8:17 to go in the period.
Killing the Halifax five-on-three power play to begin the third period seems to give momentum to Quebec.
Trying to light a fire on his first line, Roy brought Gabriel Desjardins with Mikhail Grigorenko and Frederick Roy. Roy’s move worked perfectly since Quebec tied the game 2-2 with Desjardins 7th of the playoff at 1:21.
MacKinnon takes matters in his own hands, with 11:59 to go in the period beating Domingue between his pads for Halifax third goal at 8:01.
Both teams will travel to Quebec for game 6 on Monday night.
Two other series were on QMJHL schedule on Friday night
Chicoutimi 3 vs. Shawinigan 7 ( Shawinigan lead series 3-2)
Rimouski 2 vs. Blainville-Boisbriand 3 (Blainville-Boisbriand lead series 3-2)
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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