RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 5-2

FINAL: Sherbrooke 5, Saint John 2

SAINT JOHN - A 49-save performance by Alex D'Orio wasn't enough for the Saint John Sea Dogs to end their losing streak.

The Sea Dogs were outshot 54-23 by the Sherbrooke Phoenix on Saturday night at Harbour Station but managed to stay in the game thanks to the play of their goaltender. Saint John ultimately fell 5-2 - their franchise record high 16th straight loss.

Much like Friday's loss to the Drummondville Voltigeurs, the Dogs had a respectable opening frame but then let things slip away. On Friday the team was outshot 26-7 in the second period; on Saturday it was 25-6.

William Villeneuve and Anthony Boucher scored for Saint John, who sported some different line combinations with the scratching of first line winger Maxim Cajkovic. Villeneuve was named second star with a goal and an assist.

The Phoenix, who were coming off a huge 9-2 win in Moncton on Friday night, had goals from Patrick Guay, Bailey Peach, Taro Jentzsch, Alexandre Joncas and Benjamin Tardif. Brendan Cregan made 21 stops in the win.

LINEUP

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without goaltender Tommy DaSilva (healthy); forwards Luke Wilson (healthy), Christian Clark (healthy) and Maxim Cajkovic (healthy); and defenseman Brendan Sibley (injured).

In a pre-game interview, head coach Josh Dixon responded simply with "attitude" when asked why Cajkovic was scratched.

NOTES: Saint John scored first in a game for just the fifth time this season... Josh Lawrence had two assists... this was the third time this season that Alex D'Orio faced 50 or more shots... Mikhail Denisov was D'Orio's backup.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs travel to Cape Breton to face the Screaming Eagles on Wednesday at 7 p.m.