Halifax Mooseheads logoArticle contentThe first win of the season will have to wait at least another day for the Halifax Mooseheads.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThey opened the 2025-26 QMJHL campaign with a 4-1 road loss to the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday and it was a jittery performance for some of the new players.Article contentArticle contentMore than a third of the players in the Mooseheads’ lineup were playing their first regular season game for the team so they now have their feet wet. But that’s to be expected with any season-opener and the good news is that first step in the larger process is now out of the way.Article contentArticle content“Some of the discussion points you have as you get ready for a game like that is you just want to keep the game really simple and try not to beat yourself,” Mooseheads head coach Brad MacKenzie said. “Unfortunately, there were times tonight I think the intentions were good and guys were trying to make a difference but not doing it the right way. That’s a learning experience. Sometimes when you try to make a difference by doing things individually, you can complicate the game instead of simplifying it.”Article contentMacKenzie followed up by saying there were plenty of positives and explained those will be good building blocks as he continues to work with the players on their details early in the year.Article content“There were kind of different pockets of the game when we were doing things the way we wanted and everyone was on the same page,” MacKenzie said. “So there were some good moments but there were probably too many moments when we weren’t all connected and on the same page.Article contentArticle content“You could also see some guys were trying to adjust to the pace and some other guys got off on their own page a little bit at times and that’s where I felt like we shot ourselves in the foot and beat ourselves.”Article contentCharlottetown’s Will Shields scored the first two goals of the night and Nathan Leek stretched the lead to 3-0 early in the second period. Finnish rookie Jasu Mensonen replied a short time later with the Mooseheads’ first goal of the season but Matthew Butler restored the three-goal lead for the Islanders early in the third period.Article contentDonald Hickey made 23 saves for Charlottetown and Owen Bresson stopped 20 shots for Halifax.Article contentThe teams face each other again in Halifax on Saturday.Article content“It’s a great way to do it early in the season, getting the same team back to back,” MacKenzie said. “We’ll get a chance to review some things here tonight and we’ll be better tomorrow. And then, obviously, we’ll be able to do it on home ice so that will be good for us.”Article contentNotes: Mooseheads centre Liam Kilfoil is still away at the Detroit Red Wings’ training camp and Islanders defencemen Owen Conrad (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Marcus Kearsey (Columbus Blue Jackets) are also getting NHL looks. … Forward Alec Nasreddine and defencemen Lincoln Waugh and Justin Chiras did not dress for Halifax.Article content
Mooseheads get opening-night nerves out of the way: ‘That’s a learning experience’
