NEW KID ON THE BLOCH: Nikita Bloch scores first QMJHL goal as Regiment lose in overtime

Newfoundland Regiment defenseman Benjamin Girard tied the game with a seeing-eye point shot with just under eight minutes left in the third period, but the visiting Halifax Mooseheads would have the last laugh on Friday night at the Mary Brown’s Centre, defeating the Regiment 4-3 in overtime. 

Friday night’s contest was the Regiment’s (1-1-1-0) first overtime game of the season, and while Head Coach Gordie Dwyer admits it’s always tough watching the opponents skate away with the extra point, he says he was pleased with how his team competed against an improved Halifax squad.

“It’s a big point for us,” Dwyer told NLSN.

“It’s a little disappointing leaving that extra point on the table. Collectively I thought it was a better game than what we showed last weekend. I thought we were a little bit connected. We played with a little more identity. I thought we played a lot faster through the neutral zone. We were in on the forecheck. We wanted to put a talented team like Halifax on their heels and I thought that we did that.”

Chip off the ol’ Bloch

German rookie Nikita Bloch and Alexis Michaud rounded out the scoring for the Regiment, who finished the contest 0-for-5 on the power play, but 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

For Bloch, his first period tally was the first of his QMJHL career, sending the Mary Brown’s Centre crowd of 4,413 into a frenzy as he banked a no-look backhand shot off of a defender’s skate and into the net. 

Bloch sat out the first two games of the Regiment’s season last weekend, but was raring to go in his first game with the Regiment on Friday night.

“He’s been so excited to get here,” Dwyer said of the 17-year-old.

“For a young man who is taking his first steps in the CHL, he’s been patient with coming over and working through some details, but his level of professionalism has been great. His maturity for a young man of only 17 has been excellent. Everyone got a flash of what he is as a player. Not only is he talented, he plays a heavy game. He can shoot the puck. He can make plays as well. Tonight was a really good opportunity. He was really excited to get into the lineup tonight. He’s been chomping at the bit to get at it. For his first game, it was a really good glimpse of who Nikita Bloch is and the potential he has as a player.”

Middle Cove’s Damian Norris records first QMJHL point

Local lads Ben Veitch and Damian Norris each recorded an assist in the loss. 

For Norris, the assist marked his first point in the QMJHL, and Head Coach Gordie Dwyer is pleased with the progress displayed by the club’s young fourth line of Norris, Phenwick MacLean and Luke Sinclair. 

“I thought the young guys were good, Dwyer said.

“They stayed int he game tonight. They were competitive for 60 minutes. They understand their responsibility and how they have to play out there. Ultimately, we were able to play them in key situations and late in the hockey game, and they played well. It was nice to see them playing with some confidence going out and making plays, whether it was Damian or Phenwick. Those two, for young guys, they’re continuing to get their feet wet at this level. It’s been really positive. It’s nice to see them get rewarded. They have been playing hard and playing well.” 

Referee Hillary Brennan makes QMJHL debut

There was a new face on the officiating staff last night in London, Ontario native Hillary Brennan. 

Brennan, who made her Ontario Hockey League officiating debut in 2022 while choosing where to attend grad school, made her QMJHL debut last night in St. John’s after having decided to attend Memorial University to pursue her Master’s in Human Kinetics and Recreation where she will be working in the department’s SPORT Lab under Dr. David Hancock.

Dwyer admits he was a little surprised to learn that Brennan would be wearing the bands for Friday night’s game, but had nothing but positive things to say about Brennan’s QMJHL debut.

“I had a quick conversation with her before the game and welcomed her to the league,” Dwyer said.

“For her first game, it was excellent. It didn’t really change anything for us and how we had to play. We had good communication between both benches and the officials. For her, it was her first game here and hats off to her. We hadn’t seen her in our league, and it’s always nice to get to know our new officials. I think she did an excellent. Job. The officials at our level are all quality officials and quality people. it’s a competitive game out there… but ultimately there’s a lot of respect in our sport and respect for the opposition and respect for the officials.