Winning formula for Mooseheads

Halifax runs unbeaten streak to 10 games

Make it an even 10 for the Halifax Mooseheads.

The CHL'S No. 1 team wrapped up a perfect weekend with a 3-1 road victory over the Bathurst Titan on Saturday to increase their winning streak to 10 games. The last time the Mooseheads lost was a 5-4 decision against the Moncton Wildcats way back on Oct. 25.

"It's funny, I didn't love our second and third (Friday) night in Charlottetown and then in this one, I didn't think we played a great first but we hung around and then had a really good second and third," head coach Jim Midgley said. "So I like that we're finding ways to stay in games and win.

"Defensively, we could still tidy up some things but (Jack Milner) was really good in net and we've been getting good goaltending from both guys all year so that always helps get wins. There's been lots of good things."

The winning formula is pretty straightforward. The Mooseheads' elite defence allows very few quality scoring chances and Milner and Mathis Rousseau are there to take care of almost all of the decent shots that get through. At the other end, Halifax's top attackers continue to get it done.

The powerhouse first line of Jordan Dumais, Markus Vidicek and Mathieu Cataford is virtually unstoppable lately and those three combined for seven points in the win over the Titan. Cataford had a goal and two assists, Vidicek scored his fifth goal in his past three games and added an assist, while Dumais set up two goals to give him a point in every game he's played so far this season. The reigning QMJHL MVP now has 31 points in 13 games.

"They carry a lot of mail for us, there's no doubt about that," Midgley said. "They play big minutes for us and our defence corps is really good too so those are big reasons for our success. There are other guys who are contributing too but losing Lou Levesque and Logan Crosby (to injuries) leaves us with two big holes so it's a good opportunity for some other guys to step up and get ice time.

"I really liked Braeden Macphee's game tonight. I thought he was solid and Jake Todd had another good night so those are some of the guys we need to step up for us."

Brody Fournier also found the net for Halifax and Milner stopped 29 shots for his third win of the season. Antoine Keller made 25 saves for Bathurst and Igor Mburanumwe was the scorer.

The Mooseheads have now won 18 of their past 21 games to improve to 18-4-1-0. Their next game is against the Baiecomeau Drakkar at home on Thursday. The teams are No. 1 and 2 in the overall standings, with the Drakkar (20-32-0) ahead by five points.

"It was a really good game when we played up there a few weeks ago and they'll be ready for us," Midgley said. "It's two top teams so it should be a good one. And then after that game we head right out on the road for our next five so there's lots of hockey coming up for us."