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The Halifax Mooseheads scored early and often on their way to a convincing 8-2 win over the Moncton Wildcats Monday night.

The Mooseheads now have a 3-0 series lead and can close out the series tomorrow night in Moncton.

The Wildcats found themselves in the box early and Nathan MacKinnon put the Herd up 1-0 early. The 16-year-old MacKinnon was buzzing all game with two goals and an assist that puts him third in league playoff scoring.

A few minutes later blueliner Steve Gillard took a nice pass from Andrew Ryan and went in on a rush scoring on a nice rush to make it 2-0.

“We all held our breath and we were all just cheering when he scored that highlight reel goal,” said teammate Konrad Abeltschauser who was serving the second game in a two-game suspension. “When hardworking guys like that score, it is just nice to see.”

Steve Gillard sat out most of the season with a concussion and only returned to play down the stretch.

The Gillard goal prompted a timeout by the Wildcats bench but it wasn’t much help. Brad Cuzner and Jonathan Drouin added two more before the period ended.

Captain Cameron Critchlow continued the Mooseheads assault on the Moncton net just a minute into the second, chasing Wildcats goaltender Roman Will from the net and then added another goal six minutes later.

Allain Saulnier got the Wildcats on the board in the second, ruining Zach Fucale’s shutout bid, but Nathan MacKinnon responded almost immediately to restore the six goal margin.

The Wildcats were still without top scorer Alex Saulnier who did skate in the team’s morning skate but the game-time decision was to sit out the game.

Game 4 is Tuesday night at 7pm. You can catch the game live on News 95.7 with John Moore.