Mooseheads fall 2-1 to Drakkar in shootout

For a game between two fierce rivals, there wasn't much drama Thursday night at the Scotiabank Centre.
The Halifax Mooseheads and Baie-Comeau Drakkar put on a fairly routine performance that ended 2-1 in a shootout in favour of the visitors.
"For us, the priority is not to put on a show, it's to win the hockey game and get points," said Halifax goalie Alexis Gravel. "I think that's what we did on the road last week and, yes, it's a loss tonight but at least we get a point. I think we can be proud of ourselves."
From a purist's standpoint, at least the defensive play was reasonably fundamentally sound. The teams may not have lit up the offensive zone but they didn't give up much in their own ends, either.
"We've gotten way better defensively since we started the season," Gravel said. "The rookies are starting to get experience and it pays off. Guys are playing way better and it's showing."
After a scoreless first period, Baie-Comeau's Nathan Legare broke the deadlock early in the second period on a shot to the top corner off the rush. The Mooseheads got on the board about seven minutes later off a nice passing play on the power play that finished with a tap-in by Senna Peeters at the top of the crease.
The third period and overtime didn't yield any goals so the teams had to settle it in the shootout. Baie-Comeau captain Gabriel Fortier was the only player to convert after five combined failed attempts. 
"Sometimes you don't get the win but a point at the end of the year will make a difference," Gravel said. "For sure we wanted both (points) but we're glad to get the one we did."
Gravel stopped 36 shots for Halifax to earn the first star and Lucas Fitzpatrick made 23 saves for Baie-Comeau. 
Coming off a three-game road trip to Quebec that saw them secure five of a possible six points, the Mooseheads wanted to keep the roll going. They were also trying to extend a four-game stretch (3-0-1-0) of earning at least one point in every outing, so at least they managed to do that. 
"We worked hard on that trip," Gravel said. "It's a long way to go on the bus and with the other travel but we did really good. We were pretty mature about it and we didn't make any excuses. Now we've had a point in the last five games and that's huge."
The teams were tied in the overall standings heading into the night so the Drakkar (11-11-4-0) now move ahead by one point. The Mooseheads fall to 11-10-2-1.
The Mooseheads are at home again on Saturday against the Moncton Wildcats, who are one of the hottest teasm in the QMJHL and moved up to No. 2 in the CHL rankings this week.
"They have a pretty good team and it's always a good rivalry with them," Gravel said. "We always like to play them because it's always an exciting game. I'm looking forward to it."
Notes: Cole Foston, Jared McIsaac, Sonny Kabatay and Gavin Hart did not play for Halifax. ... Mooseheads forwards Maxim Trepanier and Bo Groulx extended their points streaks to nine and eight games, respectively.