New challenge awaits Mooseheads after comfortable schedule to open the season

Halifax Mooseheads centre Amelio Santini tries to corral a bouncing puck during Saturday’s QMJHL game at the Scotiabank Centre. – SUPPLIED BY HALIFAX MOOSEHEADSArticle contentThe comforts of home were nice while they lasted 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 contentAfter playing 10 of their first 12 games of the season at the Scotiabank Centre, the Mooseheads now flip that ratio for their next dozen games. Their next five games will be on the road, then they’ll make a brief two-game return before heading out again for another five-game journey. All told, they’ll play 10 of their next 12 games in opposing rinks.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentIncluded in those 10 road games are a pair of three-game trips to Quebec, which are always demanding physically because of the long bus rides involved. And all of it takes place during a five-week span so the stretch will be the young team’s biggest sustained challenge to date.Article content“The way we look at it is every game we’re trying to get better,” forward Quinn Kennedy said. “Whether it’s good or it’s bad, there’s always stuff to learn from every game. And I think with the group that we have, a big thing is just focusing in on the little details in the game. With the help of coaches, we’re all just trying to work on all the different parts of our game, trying to get better each time we play and just learn from our mistakes.”Article contentFor several Halifax players, the trips to Quebec and then Newfoundland at the end of November will be the first excursions outside of the Maritimes. Day-to-day routines change drastically during those tours so there’s a fair amount of adapting involved but the flip side is they can also be good team-building opportunities.Article contentArticle content“I think everyone’s a little bit antsy to get on the road, just because it’s been a long time coming,” Kennedy said. “We’ve played two road games but we haven’t been on a big trip yet. When you’re on those long ones, you get to learn more about everybody and you get to get a lot closer with each other, just staying in hotel rooms together and stuff like that. So that’ll all help build the team chemistry up even more because it’s always a fun time on the road going out for team meals and just chatting with the guys and joking around.”Article contentAnd the good news is the Mooseheads take a healthy 8-4 record into the block of games. They went 7-3 during their 10 games at the Scotiabank Centre.Article content“At the start of the season, you always want to get a couple of wins under your belt and feel good about how you’re playing,” Kennedy said. “Obviously, playing at home for this big stretch of games helps a lot. We’re in front of our crowd and we’re comfortable here so it’s really good for the guys who are getting used to the league. We’re pleased with our start so far but there are still a lot of things to learn and lots of stuff to work on, just with game management and not giving up leads.”