Friday, February 14, 2014

RECAP: Cats Win Cup. Dogs Lose 4-1.

FINAL: Moncton 4, Saint John 1
SAINT JOHN – The Moncton Wildcats are 2014 Brunswick News Rivalry Cup Champions.

The Wildcats clinched their season series against the Saint John Sea Dogs with a 4-1 win at Harbour Station on Friday night. Moncton leads the Rivalry Cup standings 5-3 but there is just one meeting remaining this season so Saint John can’t catch up. Go crazy, Moncton.

Special teams were the name of the game for the ‘Cats in this game. They scored three goals in the second period – one shorthanded and two on the power play – and then added an empty net maker in the third.

Christophe Lalonde had a pair of goals while singles came from Will Smith and Christopher Caissy. Ivan Barbashev added two assists. Alex Dubeau made 25 saves in the win.

Saint John’s lone goal came from Samuel Dove-McFalls with 1.7 seconds remaining in the first period. Sebastien Auger made 25 saves in the loss.

FIRST PERIOD
Moncton went to the power play just 1:08 in as Oliver Cooper was called for hooking. But the ‘Cats couldn’t get much going on the man advantage and didn’t record a shot.

At 3:48, Lukas Walter and Reid Halabi dropped the gloves. Halabi picked up the instigator, giving Saint John a power play. David Weckworth had the Sea Dogs’ best chance as his point shot hit the post.

It was pretty much all Saint John from there. Shots were 7-0 at one point. Moncton didn’t get a shot on goal until Christopher Caissy had a breakaway but was stopped by Sebastien Auger.

After a few minutes of nothing, William Bower was alone in front but was stopped by Auger. The Wildcats went back to the power play at 17:00 but once again couldn’t get a whole lot going.

At 19:58, Samuel Dove-McFalls scored to give the Dogs a 1-0 lead after one.

Shots were 12-9 Saint John in the first.

SECOND PERIOD
Saint John went to the power play at 3:46. While shorthanded, Will Smith took advantage of a misplay by Sebastien Auger behind the net. Smith slid the puck in before Auger could position himself to tie things up at 4:24.

With three seconds left in that power play, Jacob Sweeney headed off for tripping. But the Dogs couldn’t create any solid chances during the man advantage.

The Sea Dogs were called for too many men at 9:07. At 10:11, Ivan Barbashev sent a cross ice feed to Christopher Caissy who was parked in the circle. Caissy one-timed the puck past Auger to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.

The ‘Cats had another power play at 10:22 but couldn’t connect. Back at even strength, Alex Dubeau allowed a rebound off of a Noah Zilbert chance. Oliver Cooper would have had an open net if not for a nice play by a Wildcat player to end the threat.

With Jeremy Doucet already in the box, Weckworth joined him at 14:43 to give the ‘Cats a five-on-three power play. Just after Doucet’s penalty ended, Barbashev tried to feed Christophe Lalonde but the pass was blocked by Alexander McQuaid. But Barbashev picked up the puck again and this time was able to get it to Lalonde at the top of the crease who made it 3-1.

The Dogs got a power play at 17:55 but didn’t do much.

Shots were 11-6 Moncton in the second stanza.

THIRD PERIOD
There was a long time without a whistle early in the third. Each team had some pressure on during the stretch. Oliver Cooper ended it with a backhand shot that was stopped and held by Dubeau.

During some four-on-four play later on, Thomas Chabot went coast-to-coast but was stopped. Soon after, Vladimir Tkachev hit the post.

Cooper and Tucker White were each called for roughing at 12:43. Then Will Thompson went to the box at 13:25 to give Moncton a power play. Lalonde had a chance down low as his shot was stopped by the arm of Auger.

Back at even strength, Weckworth came charging in towards the net but was denied by Dubeau.

The Sea Dogs would pull Auger but Lalonde iced the game at 18:57 with an empty net goal.

Shots were 9-8 Moncton in the third and 29-26 Wildcats overall.

Saint John went 0-for-4 on the power play while Moncton went 2-for-7.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs travel to Sydney to take on the Screaming Eagles on Sunday afternoon.

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