Monday, October 9, 2000
Mooseheads, Sagueneens tie. Klyazmin nets first goal for Halifax
Mark Wanzel Halifax forward Robbie Sutherland breaks away from a fallen Chicoutimi player during Sunday afternoon action at the Metro Centre. The Mooseheads skated to a 2-2 tie to earn their second home point in five Metro Centre games this season.
By Gordie Sutherland / Herald Sports
Two weak goals and a stellar performance by Chicoutimi Sagueneens goalie Olivier Dannel prevented the Halifax Mooseheads from gaining their first home victory of the season on Sunday.
But the Mooseheads, winless in eight games, saw some cause for optimism in their 2-2 tie with the Sagueneens.
They generated plenty of offensive opportunities in firing 48 shots at Dannel, broke through for a late power-play goal and saw the skills that made Russian rookie Sergei Klyazmin a third-round selection of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. The more than 6,000 fans showed their appreciation with warm applause after the five-minute, four-on-four overtime.
"Right now, the mood is pretty good," said defenceman Ali MacEachern, who was wearing a full shield after an accidental high stick in Saturday's practice left him with a broken nose and eight stitches above his upper lip. "The last game was a setback (6-2 loss to Victoriaville), but we just came out and worked hard. Everyone chipped in and that's what we need."
Although they were outshot 27-17 through the first two periods, the Sagueneens held a 1-0 lead through 40 minutes.
Jonathan Francoeur, who had both Chicoutimi goals, opened the scoring on a first-period power play. His weak backhander beat Halifax goalie Yann Collin to the stick side.
Francoeur's other goal wasn't much better.
He fired a low slapshot from a poor angle and the puck sailed through Collin's five hole.
Bruce Gillis tied the game 1-1 when he ripped a shot from the slot over the glove hand of Dannel. Milan Jurcina started the play by passing the puck to Derrick Kent, who circled behind the net before sending a quick pass out to Gillis.
It was Gillis's second goal of the year, giving him one more than he had in 38 games last season before joining the junior A Halifax Oland Exports.
"I'm very happy for him," said Halifax head coach Shawn MacKenzie. "We're very proud of him. Nobody works harder and is more committed to excellence than him.
"It's good to see him get some reward for that."
The line of Klyazmin, Jason King and Brandon Benedict was buzzing all afternoon and potted the equalizer with the man advantage at 16:36 of the third period.
MacEachern, who is emerging as an effective power-play quarterback, took a hard point shot that Klyazmin neatly tipped into the top corner.
It was the first goal of the season for Klyazmin, playing only his second regular-season game since gaining a temporary release from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.
The six-foot-three, 195-pound forward appeared to get stronger as the game progressed and, with his size and reach, was particularly effective down low.
"Today was better than last game," said Klyazmin, 19. "It was more comfortable, but I was still nervous before the game and couldn't sleep (Saturday) night."
Chicoutimi coach Martin Daoust also liked what he saw of Klyazmin.
"I would like to have him," he quipped.
"He's going to be good. There's just a bit of adaptation. He's fast. He's big. He's a good European player."
Dannel had stoned Klyazmin on a breakaway earlier in the third period and less than two minutes before that Klyazmin set up King in front of the net.
Again, the six-foot-four Dannel was there.
"We had a good performance, especially Olivier Dannel, who made many key saves," Daoust said.
"We didn't have much legs as we usually do because we played last night at Moncton and we had only 15 hours to rest.
"But we played the trap and tried to take our opportunities."
Notes - The Mooseheads leave Thursday for a five-game road trip, beginning with a stop in Victoriaville on Saturday night. They also have dates with Sherbrooke, Shawinigan, Drummondville and Montreal. . . . During a first-period clearing attempt, the puck went over the boards and struck Halifax assistant coach Chris Donnelly in the cheek. He was taken to hospital after the period ended.