SEA DOGS – WILDCATS GAME AT A GLANCE
Final Score: Moncton 2, Saint John 6
Saint John Goals: Nathan Beaulieu (1), Tomas Jurco (7,8), Stanislav Galiev (1), Steven Anthony (4), and Simon Despres (1)
Moncton Goals: Daniel Pettersson (7) and Marek Hrivik (8)
Winning Goaltender: SNB – Karel St. Laurent
Losing Goaltender: MON – Shane Owen
New 88.9 Top Dog: Simon Despres
THE NUMBERS
Power Play: Wildcats: 0/4, Sea Dogs: 1/5
Shots on Goal: Wildcats: 7+9+7=23, Sea Dogs: 10+15+8=32
Length: 2:10
Attendance: 5,678
SAINT JOHN SCRATCHES
Out for Saint John was forward Jason Cameron and defenseman Tyrone Sock as Mike Thomas and Simon Despres returned to the Sea Dogs’ lineup.
Not sure why they don’t announce these at Harbour Station anymore. It would nice if they did, along with the opposing teams starting lineup.
THAT’S MORE LIKE IT
Finally, the Saint John Sea Dogs played to their full potential.
Sure last night’s game saw the return of two of the Sea Dogs’ best players, but the team has simply not shown up to play over the past two weeks. That changed last night when Saint John dominated the Moncton Wildcats for most of the game en route to a 6-2 win at Harbour Station.
"For the half the game, it was a tight battle and both teams were playing pretty cautious," said Saint John head coach Gerard Gallant to the Times & Transcript. "We've got good skill and we eventually cashed in on our chances. I don't think their goalie had any chance on those three quick goals that we scored.
"This was our best game of the season by far. I was happy with the way our team played and obviously Moncton brings out the best in us because of the rivalry."
The Sea Dogs got things going early when Nathan Beaulieu scored his first of the season on a point shot that went through a large volume of traffic to beat Wildcats goaltender Shane Owen.
The Wildcats would tie the match with 50 seconds remaining in the first period. Daniel Petterssson performed a wraparound move that beat Karel St. Laurent along the post to make it 1-1 heading into intermission.
The Sea Dogs’ offense exploded in the second period. It began with Tomas Jurco backhanding the puck over Owen at 13:12 and 38 seconds later Stanislav Galiev added his first of the season to make it 3-1. It didn’t end there as Steven Anthony scored off a rebound in the crease to give Saint John a 4-1 lead heading onto the final frame.
"Saint John has a talented, explosive team," said Wildcats head coach Danny Flynn to the T&T. "We knew that going into the game and they reinforced it in our minds. They scored three quick goals to grab control of the game.”
Moncton attempted a comeback early in the third when Marek Hrivik tipped a shot over the glove of St. Laurent to cut the Sea Dogs’ lead to two. But under a minute later, Jurco scored his secnd of the game to make it 5-2.
Simon Despres would put the nail in the ‘Cats coffin with a shorthanded goal that Shane Owen would no doubt love to have back to make it a 6-2 final.
"You have to finish your checks and do the little things, and I thought we did the little things,” said Gallant to the Telegraph-Journal. “When we limit our turnovers like we did tonight, a lot of times we'll come out on top. We played an overall smarter game (compared to recent games).''
THE BEASTS ARE BACK
Entering last night’s game, offensive defenseman Nathan Beaulieu was a -4 and had yet to score a goal this season. Washington Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev was a team worst -5 and only had one assist to show for this season.
That changed on Friday night as both produced solid performances.
Along with stepping up the offense, Beaulieu played a much simpler game and didn’t try any of the fancy junk that has gotten him in trouble this season. He was also +4. Galiev had a zero rating along with two hits.
KIRILL WAS NO THRILL
Kirill Kabanov made his season debut for Moncton last evening. Before warm-up, the Russian was easily spotted on the ‘Cats bench with his trademark tattoos. Before heading to the dressing room, Kabanov and Sea Dogs Russian Stanislav Galiev chatted between the benches.
In the game, Kabanov took three undisciplined penalties with Saint John capitalizing on one of the power play opportunities.
The troubled New York Islanders prospect didn’t do a whole lot in the game, recording just one shot on goal and was a -2.
DOGS TAKE RIVALRY CUP LEAD
With the regulation win, the Sea Dogs picked up three points in the 2010-11 Brunswick News Rivalry Cup standings. They also gained two points for having more than 5,000 fans at the game as 5,678 took in the tilt at Harbour Station.
The next game between the two is Sunday, November 21 at the Moncton Coliseum.
For more on the Rivalry Cup, check out the SN Rivalry Cup section.
With no Dancin’ Brendan of Dancin’ Mike, someone had to step up to inject some life into the Harbour Station faithful.
For whatever reason, some dude dressed up in a referee outfit – including helmet – and danced his life off. Along with his bizarre dance in the third period, he also waived back a Wildcats goal that was under review.
Hope he comes back.
THEY’RE BACK
Mike Thomas and Simon Despres made their season debuts last night after returning from pro camps on Thursday. Thomas took part in Oklahoma City Barons camp while Thomas was at Pittsburgh Penguins camp.
Thomas was Thomas, playing a steady game and making some solid plays. Despres’ return seemed to really calm down Saint John’s shaky defense. The ‘Big Horse’ was a +1 and scored a shorthanded goal.
BIG WIN
Frequent commenter on the Station Nation Facebook page (or someone who has the same name), Nick Maloney dominated an intermission contest that gave him a trip to Boston worth roughly $2,000.
The first contestant really struggled, completely wiping out once and almost falling another five times. Maloney just took his time, moving through the pylons and kicking a basketball with ease.
Maloney won a trip to Boston that includes tickets to a Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins game.
(Ed. Note: If we don’t mention that this contest was sponsored by 97.3 The Wave, we’ll probably get beat up. So get your swag tag or whatever.)
QUICK HITS
It was the highest attended game of the season… Michael Kirkpatrick said following the first period that he is excited about the Saint John Mill Rats coming to town… newly inducted member into the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame, Andrew McKim, performed the ceremonial puck drop… it was the first meeting between the teams since game six of the President’s Cup Final… decent scrap between Danick Gauthier and Olivier Daoust took place in the late stages of the third period after a scrum in the corner. Both players landed some good punches and his feisty tilt… Marek Hrivik extended his point scoring streak to seven games… after six straight games of getting at least a point, the Wildcats failed to do so on Friday.
BONUS STUFF
Check out Marc Henwood’s pictures from last night’s game.
If you wish to relive the excitement, check out the SN Live Blog replay.
NEXT GAME
The Sea Dogs host the Montreal Juniors and that Louis Leblanc guy tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 pm at Harbour Station.
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