Halifax Mooseheads centre Danny Walters battles with Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Nikita Voyaga in front of goalie Vincent Gladu during a QMJHL game at the Scotiabank Centre on Saturday. Photo by QMJHLArticle contentHalifax Mooseheads rookies only get one chance to play their first game at the Scotiabank Centre and it’s an experience that rarely disappoints.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 contentJasu Mensonen was one of the five first-year players who made his home debut in front of 8,205 fans on Saturday and it’s a night he says he’ll never forget.Article contentArticle content“It was amazing. What a crowd,” said the Finnish rookie. “I have never played in a game like that. It was awesome. I really enjoyed it.”Article contentArticle contentLike their season opener in Charlottetown on Friday, the Mooseheads weren’t perfect but they were better than their debut. They fell 4-1 to the Islanders in the first meeting but won 5-4 in a shootout in the rematch. They were much more organized and consistent in the second game, plus winning in such an electric atmosphere will go a long way to creating some early momentum.Article content“It’s a lot better to win in the second game than like the fifth or sixth. We (feel) good to go now,” Mensonen said.Article content“Everybody did a great job today. (Goalie Owen) Bresson was really good in the net and with the shootout saves. Everybody was battling hard so it was a great win. And, of course, it’s easy to play when we have (such) good fans here. ”Article contentThe improvement is part of a bigger theme the team is counting on running through the season. The Mooseheads made excellent strides last year as a young group and need to take another step in 2025-26 to keep pace in what will be a competitive Eastern Conference.Article contentArticle content“I think we’ve got a pretty energetic team,” Bresson said. “We like to throw the body, we like to get pucks deep and compete. We’re a young team but we’ve also got lots of experience. A lot of guys had a lot of minutes last year and that’s definitely helping us now.”Article contentMensonen, Shawn Carrier, Will Bent and Quinn Kennedy scored for the Mooseheads and Anthony Flanagan, with two, Jude Herron and Nathan Leek had the goals for the Islanders. Mensonen and Kennedy clinched the win in the shootout.Article contentBresson made his second straight start for Halifax and finished with 22 saves. Vincent Gladu stopped 37 shots for Charlottetown.Article content“It was great,” Bresson said. “It was my first time playing in front of that many people so it was a good win. And it was even better and more exciting winning in the shootout.”Article contentDespite being in his second season in the QMJHL, it was Bresson’s first start in the Scotiabank Centre. The Mooseheads acquired him from the Shawinigan Cataractes in the off-season.
Mooseheads create first momentum of young season with thrilling home opener: ‘It was amazing. What a crowd’
