Likely the only way the Halifax Mooseheads are going to win games the rest of the way this season is to grind them out.
They used that formula against the Charlottetown Islanders in front of a small crowd Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Centre and came so close to pulling out the victory. The Islanders got a goal from Cedric Desruisseaux 15 seconds into overtime to secure a 3-2 win but the Mooseheads at least lay claim to a point.
"We played a hard game and I thought we did a pretty good job," said Halifax winger Senna Peeters. "We've lost a couple in a row now so we really wanted to win this one. I think everyone worked hard and we just need to find a way to end up winning games like that."
In a game that was the antithesis of an end-to-end free-for-all, the Mooseheads and Islanders both had to stay patient. Charlottetown's Brett Budgell had the only goal of the first period on an impressive display of stickhandling and Peeters was the lone scorer in the second period. He finished off a nice passing play on the power play to tie it 1-1.
Halifax's Zack Jones and Charlottetown's Thomas Casey traded goals in the third period to extend the deadlock to 2-2 and Desruisseaux ended it on the first shift of overtime.
"It's a tough way to finish," said Halifax defenceman Olivier DesRoches. "We had it in the third period but we (screwed) it up a bit. It's tough to lose an important game like that. We really want to make the playoffs and we need those points."
As much as the game was a defensive standoff, it was also highlighted by strong goaltending from a pair of league's top veterans. Matt Welsh stopped 26 shots for Charlottetown and Alexis Gravel made 38 saves for Halifax. Gravel's best stop came with just 2:12 left in the third period when he robbed Noah Laaouan with his glove in close on a three-on-one.
"That was insane," DesRoches said. "He's so good. He gives us a chance to win every game.
"Gravy got us that point tonight. He had over 40 shots and he made a couple of great saves. We need to thank him for that point because it's pretty important for the rest of the season."
Special teams also played a role in the trajectory of the game. The Mooseheads went one-for-five on the power play and killed all six of the penalties called against them.
"The best player on the ice - by far - was Gravy," Peeters said of Halifax's penalty killing success. "He saved us so many times. He has it every single game and he keeps us in it every time. I think the whole team played good, it's just (disappointing) to end it like that."
The result extends the Mooesheads' losing streak to four games and their record is now 18-26-3-1. They are desperately trying to cling to the final playoff spot and are hanging on in 16th place overall. The teams that finish 17th and 18th miss the playoffs.
"The point is good but it would've been better just for our motivation in general to get two points," Peeters said. "It is what it is and we hope to build off this for our next game and win that one in Saint John."
The Mooseheads face the Sea Dogs on the road on Friday.
"I think they're a team we can beat but so far every game has been close," Peeters said. "We definitely have a chance and we'll see how that goes."
Notes: Adam McCormick of the Cape Breton Eagles was the QMJHL defenceman of the month and teammate Egor Sokolov was runner-up for offensive player of the month. Samuel Poulin of the Sherbrooke Phoenix won that award. Cape Breton's Kevin Mandolese was also runner-up to Creed Jones of the Rimouski Oceanic for goalie of the month. ... Justin Barron, Samuel Dube, Lucas Robinson, Ozzie King and Jeff Burridge did not play for Halifax.
