Sunday, October 31, 2010

PRE-GAME: Saint John Sea Dogs vs Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

GAME DAY

WHO: Saint John Sea Dogs vs Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
WHEN: Tonight, 5:00 pm
WHERE: Iamgold Arena

VISITING TEAM: Saint John Sea Dogs
Record: 14-3-0-1 (1st in Maritimes Division)
Last Game: 3-2 overtime win vs Rouyn-Noranda yesterday
Leading Scorer: Jonathan Huberdeau (18GP-13G-11A-24Pts)
Notes: The Saint John Sea Dogs come into today’s game with a 14-3-0-1 record which is good for first in the Maritimes and are tied with the Quebec Remparts for first overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 29 points. The Remparts have, however, played two fewer games. Saint John was an honourable mention in the BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings this past week… the Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-2 overtime win against these very same Rouyn-Noranda Huskies last night at Iamgold Arena. Jonathan Huberdeau set up Zach Phillips in the first period, scored a shorthanded goal in the third, and then assisted on Simon Depres’ game winner in overtime. Jacob DeSerres stopped 30 pucks to pick up his second straight win… Saint John has now won four straight games – all on the road. They have wins against Halifax, two in Val-d’Or, and one in Rouyn-Noranda… 9-1-0-0 in their last 10 games. Their only loss was a 5-1 defeat in Bathurst… after struggling on the road earlier this season, the Sea Dogs have finally found a winning formula. They are currently 6-3-0-1 away from Harbour Station and have outscored their opponents 38-33 along the way… the Sea Dogs have served the third fewest amount of penalty minutes this season. They have served 207 for an average of 11.5 per game… Jonathan Huberdeau leads the Sea Dogs in points with 24 after a big three point night yesterday. He also leads the team in goals with 13, plus/minus with a +22 rating, and in penalty minutes with 25… Michael Kirkpatrick leads Saint John in assists with 16… Frederic Piche will probably start in net today as the Sea Dogs’ goaltending rotation continues. The 19-year old has a 7-1-0-1 record to go along with a goals against average of 2.53 and save percentage of 0.906%. His GAA places him eighth in the league while his SV% places him eighth as well. He has the seventh most wins in the league… Huberdeau’s +22 rating puts him first in the league in the plus/minus category… Ryan Tesink was a healthy scratch last night but still sits third overall in rookie scoring with 14 points in 16 games… Tyrone Sock did not play yesterday due to the flu.

HOME TEAM: Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
Record: 4-12-1-1 (6th in Telus West Division)
Last Game: 3-2 overtime loss vs Saint John yesterday
Leading Scorer: Robbie DeFulviis (16GP-6G-5A-11Pts)
Notes: The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies enter today’s action with a 4-12-1-1 record which is good for last in the Telus West Division and 17th overall in the 18-team Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. If the playoffs started today, the Huskies and Baie-Comeau Drakkar would be the two teams absent… the Huskies are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Saint John Sea Dogs yesterday at the Iamgold Arena. Jean-Francois Grenier and former PEI Rocket Jonathan Bonneau each scored for Rouyn-Noranda. Mickael Audette made 29 saves in the loss. The Huskies were able to slow down Saint John’s offensive production, something they will have to do once again today in order to earn a victory… the Huskies have scored the fewest amount of goals this year and have allowed the most against… R-N has lost seven straight matches and have earned a point in only two of them. They are 1-7-1-1 in their last 10 games… 2-6-1-0 at home this season. They are 2-6-0-1 on the road… rookie Robbie DeFulviis had a strong game last night. He continues to lead the Huskies in scoring with 11 points… Jessyko Bernard leads the Huskies in goals with seven… Jerome Raymond and Gabriel O’Conner have a team best six assists… O’Conner is a team worst -19… Mickael Audette has played in the Huskies crease the most of any netminder this season. He is 4-8-1-1 with a 4.10 goals against average and a 0.856 save percentage… Rouyn-Noranda is the 11th youngest team in the QMJHL with an average age of 17.89 years… the club has an average height of 181.52 cm which places them 15th in the league… the Huskies are the 10th heaviest club with an average weight of 80.78 kg… Jason Kelly leads the Huskies in fights with five this season. The team has 18 fights overall this year compared to the Sea Dogs’ seven – the second lowest in the league.

THE FIRST MEETING
From the Sea Dogs’ website:

Saint John defeated Rouyn-Noranda earlier this season, with overage goaltender Jacob DeSerres having blanked the Huskies 2-0 in his QMJHL debut back on October 16. Vancouver Canucks prospect Steven Anthony and Washington Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev both found the back of the net for the home team in that match, while Team Captain Mike Thomas led all Sea Dogs skaters with three hits on the night.
Saint John is 2-0-0-0 versus the Huskies this season and have outscored them 5-2. Today is the final meeting between the two.

KIRKPATRICK LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY
Veteran centre Michael Kirkpatrick has accumulated 20 points this season on four goals and 16 assists. Kirkpatrick enters today's action needing two goals to tie fellow Cape Bretoner Ryan Sparling for the all-time Sea Dogs record with 83 career markers.

AROUND THE TOWN
From Wikipedia:

The city of Rouyn (named for Jean-Baptiste Rouyn, a captain in the Royal-Roussillon regiment of Montcalm)appeared after copper was discovered in 1917. Noranda (a contraction of "North Canada") was created later around the Horne mine and foundry. Both were officially constituted as cities in 1926, then merged in 1986.

Since 1966, Rouyn and Noranda constitute the capital of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. It is also the seat of public university UQAT since 1983.
As of 2006, the population was 39,924.

Judging by this video, it looks like an exciting place.



THE COACH
Huskies head coach Andre Tourigny will an assistant for Team Canada at the world juniors. He will also be the head coach for Team QMJHL at the Subway Super Series.

Gerard Gallant, the man facing him today behind the Sea Dogs bench, will be his assistant in the November 8th Super Series game at Harbour Station.

IT’S HALLOWEEN
In partnership with Old Dutch chips, fans attending today’s game are encouraged to wear a costume.

ARENA INFO
Venue: Iamgold Arena (formerly known as Dave Keon Arena)
Seating Capacity: 2,850 (2,150 seated)
Year Built: 1951
Ice Dimensions: 190’ X 85’
QMJHL Arena Guide


MEDIA GUIDE
Radio (Sea Dogs): News 88.9 FM
Live Web Feed: Telus
Television: None
Live Blog: Station Nation
Post-Game Coverage: Station Nation, Le Citoyen

TWITTER
Follow Station Nation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/station_nation for in-game updates, scores, stats, and live coverage during tonight’s game.

AFTER THE BUZZER
After two weeks away from home, the Sea Dogs return to Harbour Station Friday night against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

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