The Halifax Mooseheads find themselves all alone at the top of the standings at the 2019 Memorial Cup.
The tournament hosts improved to 2-0 and have clinched a spot in the playoffs following a 4-2 win over the Ontario Hockey League champion Guelph Storm on Sunday night at the Scotiabank Centre.
“We wanted that win big time,” Mooseheads forward Samuel Asselin told the media after the game. “We came out strong and the fans were unbelievable.
“They gave us so much momentum tonight and I’m happy for them.”
After being outshot 16-8 in the first period, the Mooseheads turned up the wick in the second frame as they fired 20 shots at the Storm net.
Antoine Morand and Maxim Trepanier had a goal and an assist each in the victory, which also saw Asselin and Raphael Lavoie light the lamp.
Alexis Gravel had another strong outing in goal as he made 33 saves.
Storm blueliner Sean Durzi led the way for his team with a pair of goals, while Anthony Popovich stopped 38 shots.
The Mooseheads are back in action on Wednesday in the final game of the round-robin against the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and can clinch a spot in the championship game with a win.
That will be a rematch of the QMJHL final, which the Huskies won in six games.
The Western Hockey League champion Prince Albert Raiders will face the Huskies on Monday night as both teams look to earn their first win at the tournament.
The 1-1 Storm will conclude their round-robin slate against the Raiders on Tuesday.
