Moosehead mania is in full swing in Halifax, as the hockey team continues its quest for Q-League supremacy.
The herd coasted through their first round in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff series, sweeping the Saint John Sea Dogs four-games-to-none.
“It's exciting,” says Halifax Moosehead Nathan MacKinnon. “With all the support we have, it's getting pretty crazy. I remember just a couple years ago the way it's really picked up. The fans are really loving it and hopefully we can keep winning for them.”
The Mooseheads seek to continue their winning ways Friday night at the Halifax Metro Centre, as they meet the Gatineau Olympiques in their second-round series.
With the Saint John Sea Dogs, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, Moncton Wildcats and PEI Rocket all out in the first round of playoffs, Maritime hockey hopes rest on the Mooseheads. With all the recent accolades the team has received, there is a lot to be confident about.
The team brought home the hardware from the league's Golden Puck Awards. Fan-favourite Jonathan Drouin won three titles, including the league's most valuable player.
“It's just an honour to get nominated and even win trophies there, when you see the names that have won trophies before, it's great to be there,” says Halifax Moosehead Jonathan Drouin.
On paper, the herd are tonight’s favourite to win. However, Gatineau’s coach Benoit Grouxl says his team’s confidence is peeking after an upset against Rimouski.
“We know what we can do,” says Grouxl. “Obviously we'll need our top guys to be at their best tonight and we'll see how it plays out.”
For MacKinnon and Drouin, the desire to take it all is amplified by their wish to win a championship wearing the same jersey. Both players are eligible for this year’s National Hockey League draft and one or both players could be playing in the NHL next season.
“It's an emotional time for sure,” says MacKinnon. “We've had a great year-and-a-half together, or so, and I think the way to cap it off would be to win it all.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Sarah Plowman
