Phoenix take Game 1 from Mooseheads

HALIFAX - Jacob Melanson scored a first period hat trick to lead the Sherbrooke Phoenix to a Game 1 victory over the Halifax Mooseheads on Saturday night.

Melanson, who had eight shots, opened the scoring and added two more in the opening frame to guide the Phoenix to a 5-2 victory. The Seattle Kraken prospect now has eight goals and six assists in nine playoff games.

Former Sea Dogs forward Joshua Roy also scored in the win. Roy sits second in QMJHL playoff scoring with 22 points.

Anthony Munroe-Boucher added Sherbrooke's other goal. Olivier Adam made 17 saves in the win.

The high powered Mooseheads offense registered just 19 shots in the loss while allowing 43. Former Sea Dogs forward Josh Lawrence scored a shorthanded marker in the first period that made it a 1-1 game at the time.

That gets the building shaking early. Oh baby.

🚨 Lawrence (7) SH 8:29 1st period
Unassisted | #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/SWTAS72vdO

— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) April 29, 2023

The Mooseheads have rebounded from rough Game 1 performances in these playoffs. They'll look to do the same on Sunday when the two meet for Game 2 at Scotiabank Centre. Game time is 4 p.m.

Some other things...

• Game 2 of the Quebec/Gatineau series is also on Sunday afternoon. The Remparts lead that series 1-0.
• Josh Lawrence sits third in QMJHL playoff scoring with 20 points.
• In the OHL conference finals, London leads Sarnia 1-0 and Peterborough leads North Bay 1-0. Those series resume on Sunday.