Former Rocket captain Matt Hobbs came back to Charlottetown to haunt the P.E.I. Rocket by scoring the game-winning goal for the Victoriaville Tigres in a 3-2 win over the Rocket Saturday night.
The goal was scored on the powerplay at 11:36 of the third period and was Hobbs' fifth of the season and second since joining the Tigres in December.
The 20-year-old defenceman played two and a half seasons with the Rocket and said it was good to see familiar faces on the ice but weird being on the other bench.
"It was a good feeling and it's nice to get the game-winning goal against your old team. It was a lot of fun."
Hobbs described his goal as a "flutter of a goal."
"A goal is a goal so I'll take it."
The Victoriaville Tigres upped their season record to 37-17-1-3.
For the Rocket, it's their fifth straight loss and drop to 17-35-2-2 on the season.
Rocket forward Jessyko Bernard said the team doesn't try to think about the losing streak.
"We try to think of our next game…we're fighting for a playoff spot and these are our playoffs."
It was tough seeing Hobbs score the game winner, said Bernard.
"He had a good shot and then we blocked it and then he got another one, it went over my shoulder then off (Marc-Andre) Levesque. Hobbs is a good guy and I wish him all the best in Victo…but we got to get a win right now and no matter who scores on their team, it's not good for us."
Bernard had a goal for the Rocket in the contest.
Victoriaville opened the scoring at 3:29 of the first period with a goal from Philippe Halley.
The Tigres went up 2-0 with a goal from Brandon Hynes at 18:38.
After a scoreless second period, Josh Currie put the Rocket on the board with his 20th of the season at 3:04, before Hobbs gave the Tigres the 3-1 lead.
Bernard scored a late powerplay goal for the Rocket at 17:01 but that wouldn't be enough for the Rocket.
Bernard said the Rocket came out sluggish and were not finishing checks in the first period
"We picked up our hits in the second…and once you get momentum its hard to get it away from a team."
Rocket goaltender Maxime Lagace made 22 saves in the loss.
David Honzik picked up the win for the Tigres making 27 saves and earning first-star honours.
The Rocket are back in action Sunday afternoon when they host Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts. Game time is 7 p.m.
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nolan@theqspot.ca
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