RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 3-2 (OT)

FINAL: Charlottetown 3, Saint John 2 (OT) 

Lorne Webster | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs fell 3-2 in overtime to the Charlottetown Islanders Sunday afternoon at Harbour Station.

Filip Chlapik had two goals in regulation and Cody Donaghey potted the winner for Charlottetown. Former Sea Dog Blade Mann-Dixon backstopped the Islanders with a stellar 32 save performance.

Mathieu Joseph and Bokondji Imama replied for the Sea Dogs. Alex Bishop stopped 25 shots to suffer a tough defeat.

NOTES

• Players, coaches and fans of both teams - along with on-ice officials and several Sea Dogs alumni - came together, prior to the opening face-off, to pay tribute to David "DK" Kelly as he continues his battle with cancer. The outpouring of love and support for the Sea Dogs equipment manager has been nothing short of incredible. #TeamDK has been trending on Twitter as players and fans throughout North America and around the world send notes to DK, notably during Hockey Fights Cancer week. 
• Among DK's supporters are hockey legend Ray Bourque, Sea Dogs alumni Mike Hoffman and Nathan Beaulieu and many, many more. Even Red Sox superstar David "Big Papi" Ortiz lent his support via Twitter. 
• In the opening minutes, Mann-Dixon stoned Samuel Dove-McFalls on a pair of chances in close to keep the Sea Dogs off the board. 
• The Islanders opened the scoring on a power play at 12:57 of the first, when a high shot from the left point caromed wildly to Chlapik and the Islanders leading scorer snapped the puck past a scrambling Bishop - who had been knocked down behind the net. 
• The Sea Dogs tied the game 1-1 on a power play at 3:47 of the second, when Joseph one-timed a cross-ice pass from Spencer Smallman past Mann-Dixon. 
• The Sea Dogs took their first lead at 8:30 of the third when Imama fired a missile past Mann-Dixon's ear to the top corner. 
• While skating four-on-four, Chlapik tied the game 2-2 at 10:31 as he intercepted a pass at the Islanders blue line, broke away all alone and beat Bishop through the five-hole. 
• Thomas Chabot appeared to score at 12:29 but instead was penalized for interference. Unreal.
• Things turned ugly after the disallowed goal as both Joseph and Chabot were sent face first into the boards. However, cooler heads prevailed. 
• Hampton native Chris Chaddock nearly ended the contest with 30 seconds remaining in regulation but his hard snap shot rang off the post and stayed out. 
• The guys in stripes played a pivotal role in overtime by calling a pair of penalties which infuriated the Sea Dogs and their fans. 
• The Islanders finally capitalized in the final minute of OT, when Donaghey hammered a slap shot to the top corner to seal the victory. 
• The Sea Dogs have now suffered three close losses in their last four games - all against division rivals. 
• Chabot played his first home game of the season after being returned to Saint John from the Ottawa Senators this week. Chabot was dominant at times with his strong skating and puck control. 
• Winger Zach Grzelewski has returned to Ontario and will likely play Junior 'A' there. 
• Sea Dogs assistant coach Paul "Boots" Boutilier will return to Saint John this week with a silver medal, after serving as head coach for Team Canada Black at this year's World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. 

LINEUP
Dove-McFalls - Highmore - Joseph
Smallman - Noel - M. Green
Imama - Pare - Reginato
Leblanc - Quinney - Ward

Chabot - Stewart
Zboril - Webster
Felixson - L. Green

Bishop
D’Orio

SCRATCHES
Joe Veleno, John Warren and Alex Bernier (injuries); Vincent Martineau and Bryson Michel (healthy).

TURNING POINT
A disallowed goal by Thomas Chabot late in the third period - as well as a couple more questionable calls against Saint John in overtime - enabled the Islanders as they came away with a hard fought road win.

SN STARS OF THE GAME
1. David "DK" Kelly and #TeamDK
2. Blade Mann-Dixon
3. Filip Chlapik

TWEET OF THE GAME

What an incredibly touching tribute to @SeaDogsDK. The @IslandersHKY @SJSeaDogs and #QNation @QMJHL are all behind you! #TeamDK pic.twitter.com/ORPD0bZhsc

— Photi Sotiropoulos (@photi) November 6, 2016

NEXT GAME
The Sea Dogs travel to Charlottetown Friday for a 7 p.m. start as they seek redemption against the Islanders.