Game Day 37: vs Islanders

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs will look to close out 2018 on a winning note this afternoon.

The Sea Dogs host the Charlottetown Islanders in a 2 p.m. New Year's Eve tilt at Harbour Station. All 18 QMJHL teams are in action today.

Saint John is on a bit of a roll right now, winning back-to-back games and three of their past four.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 7-26-2-1 for 17 points (fifth Maritimes, 17th QMJHL) while the Islanders are 22-10-2-1 for 47 points (third Maritimes, sixth QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 1-0 home win over the Moncton Wildcats yesterday afternoon. Nicholas Deakin-Poot scored Saint John's lone goal while Mikhail Denisov made 34 saves in the shutout victory. The Islanders are coming off a 6-2 home win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Saturday. Daniel Hardie had two goals while singles came from Jordan Maher, Nikita Alexandrov, Liam Peyton and Kevin Gursoy. Dakota Lund-Cornish made 22 saves in the win.

2018-19 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-3-0-1 against the Islanders this season while Charlottetown is 4-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Dec. 14 at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Islanders 6-4. Maxim Cajkovic and William Poirier each had two goals while singles came from Robbie Burt and Nicholas Deakin-Poot. Nikita Alexandrov, Derek Gentile, Danial Hardie and Kevin Gursoy all scored for Charlottetown. Alex D'Orio made 34 saves in the win. Dakota Lund-Cornish made 31 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Islanders: Forwards Kevin Gursoy and Daniel Hardie.

Gallant assigned to Valley Wildcats

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs announced their latest roster move on Sunday night.

The team announced via Twitter that defenseman Carson Gallant has been assigned to the Maritime Hockey League's Valley Wildcats. Gallant will remain an affiliate player with the Sea Dogs, meaning we may see him again this season at some point.

Defenceman Carson Gallant will be joining the Valley Wildcats of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League for the remainder of the season. He will finish the season as an affiliate player for the Sea Dogs.

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) December 31, 2018

The move doesn't come as a surprise. Gallant hasn't played since Dec. 9 and a healthy Brendan Sibley and the welcoming of overager Benjamin Gagne move him further down the team's depth chart.

The 17-year-old appeared in 19 games with the Sea Dogs this year and did not register a point. He had one assist in 24 games with the Gatineau Olympiques last season.

Gallant, a Sackville, NS native, last played with the Wildcats in 2016-17 where he had seven goals and 12 assists in 38 games. Valley is having a rough year and sits in the basement of the MHL standings with a record of 5-20-3.

The Sea Dogs host the Charlottetown Islanders on Monday at 2 p.m.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 1-0

FINAL: Moncton 0, Saint John 1

SAINT JOHN - Mikhail Denisov led the Saint John Sea Dogs to an upset win over one of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's top teams on Sunday.

Denisov made 34 saves in a 1-0 shutout victory over the Moncton Wildcats at Harbour Station. Shots were significantly lopsided in favour of Moncton for the duration of the game. Shots were 34-11 overall - and 27-6 through the first 40 minutes.

The overage netminder made his first start since Dec. 12 and registered his second win as a Sea Dog. This was his seventh career shutout.

Nicholas Deakin-Poot scored Saint John's only game - which came in a first period that saw the Wildcats outshoot the Sea Dogs 17-2.

The Sea Dogs had a glorious opportunity to add on some insurance in the third period when Moncton's Tristan DeJong was given a five-minute major for tackling Robbie Burt. The Dogs couldn't tack on another goal though - but it ended up not mattering. Shots were 7-5 in favour of the Dogs in the final frame due to the man advantage time.

Moncton goaltender Francis Leclerc made 10 saves in the loss.

The Sea Dogs have now won back-to-back games and three of their past four.

Game Day 36: vs Wildcats

SAINT JOHN - The Moncton Wildcats make a visit to Harbour Station this afternoon.

This is the fifth meeting of the season between the Wildcats and Saint John Sea Dogs. The Wildcats have won three of the previous four meetings.

Game time this afternoon is 2 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 6-26-2-1 for 15 points (fifth Maritimes, 17th overall) while the Wildcats are 23-10-2-2 for 50 points (second Maritimes, fifth overall).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-1 win in Bathurst on Friday night. James White had a hat trick while singles came from William Poirier, Alex Drover and Nicholas Deakin-Poot. Alex D'Orio made 18 saves in the win. The Wildcats are coming off a 4-3 shootout loss in Cape Breton on Friday. Kyle Foreman, Charles-Antoine Giguere and Elliot Desnoyers scored for Moncton. Francis Leclerc made 27 stops in the loss.

2018-19 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-3-0-0 against the Wildcats this season while Moncton is 3-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Dec. 9 at the Avenir Centre where the Wildcats defeated the Sea Dogs 6-2. Mika Cyr and Jeremy McKenna each had two goals for the Wildcats while Kyle Foreman and Jakob Pelletier added solo markers. Michael Campoli and Anthony Boucher scored for Saint John. Francis Leclerc made 27 saves in the win. Mikhail Denisov made 29 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Wildcats: Radio broadcaster Tim Roszell.

Sea Dogs acquire another overager

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SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs have acquired another overager.

In a trade that was reported yesterday and made official today, the Sea Dogs have picked up 20-year-old defenseman Benjamin Gagne from the Quebec Remparts in exchange for an eighth-round pick in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft.

This is the third overager the Sea Dogs have acquired since late November. The team has added goaltender Mikhail Denisov, forward Casey Carreau and now Gagne.

The odd man out appears to be current Sea Dogs captain Anthony Boucher who, according to TVA Sports' Mikael Lalancette, has returned home and is awaiting a trade.

Le marché des transactions recommence à s’activer #LHJMQ.

Parmi les joueurs qui vont changer d’adresse dans les prochaines heures, Anthony Boucher des Sea Dogs. Il est retourné à la maison dans l’attente d’une transaction. #tvasports

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MLalancetteTVA) December 29, 2018

Boucher played in Saint John's 6-1 win in Bathurst last night. In his second season with Saint John, the centre has six goals and five assists in 33 games.

Gagne has served as the Remparts' captain this season. In 35 games the Quebec City native has six goals and 13 assists.

Carreau's status withe the Dogs remains questionable it would seem. He is currently with the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers and has been in the team's lineup since the trade was announced. Carreau may have simply been a piece the Drummondville Voltigeurs opted to give the Dogs to complete the deal rather than a late round draft pick - which is usually the case. That trade is expected to have more conditional things attached to it.

Assuming Carreau doesn't report and Boucher is in fact the odd man out, that leaves Saint John with Gagne, Denisov and Michael Campoli has overage players.

The QMJHL's trading period comes to a close on Jan. 6.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 6-1

FINAL: Saint John 6, Bathurst 1

BATHURST - The streak is over.

The Saint John Sea Dogs' year-long stretch of going winless on the road came to an end on Friday night at the KC Irving Regional Centre thanks to a 6-1 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

The Sea Dogs had not won a road game since Dec. 15, 2017 and had not won an away match in regulation time since Nov. 22, 2017. A loss on Friday would have meant a winless 2018 for the Sea Dogs - but the team was able to put an end to that in the last away contest of the calendar year.

This was, obviously, Saint John's first road win of the 2018-19 season. They entered the contest 0-14-0-1 away from Harbour Station.

Saint John chased Titan goaltender Mark Grametbauer - who, up until this game, had been lights out against the Dogs this season - in the first period, scoring four times on 12 shots. Tyriq Outen was peppered with 29 shots the rest of the way.

James White scored a hat trick for Saint John while singles came from William Poirier, Alex Drover and Nicholas Deakin-Poot. Alex D'Orio made 18 saves in the win.

Mathieu Desgagnes scored the Titan's lone goal. The loss was Bathurst's 15th straight defeat on home ice. They are a woeful 1-17-0-1 at the KCI this season.

Game Day 35: at Bathurst

BATHURST - The Saint John Sea Dogs have one last chance at a road win in 2018 this evening at the KC Irving Regional Centre.

The Sea Dogs take on the Titan in Bathurst tonight at 7 p.m. The Sea Dogs are 0-14-0-1 on the road this season and did not win a road game in the second half of last season, meaning Saint John will go an entire calendar year without a road win of they lose tonight.

On the flip side, the Titan are 1-16-0-1 at home this season. The Sea Dogs certainly have a shot at winning this game.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Screaming Eagles in Cape Breton on Dec. 15. Filip Prikryl and Jeremie Poirier scored for Saint John. Alex D'Orio made 32 saves in the loss. The Titan are coming off a 7-1 home loss to the Moncton Wildcats on Dec. 15. Marc-Andre LeCouffe scored Bathurst's lone goal. Mark Grametbauer allowed six goals on 31 shots and Tyriq Outen allowed one on 14 shots in the loss.

2018-19 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 0-4-0-0 against the Titan this season while Bathurst is 4-0-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Dec. 12 at Harbour Station where the Titan defeated the Sea Dogs 3-2. Liam Leonard, Evan MacKinnon and Ethan Crossman all scored for Bathurst. Nathan Larose and Aiden MacIntosh scored for Saint John. Mark Grametbauer made 42 stops in the win. Mikhail Denisov made 21 stops in the loss.

Sea Dogs make intriguing deal with Volts

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SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs made an intriguing trade on Thursday - one we very likely haven't heard the end of.

The Sea Dogs traded a 2019 second round pick (originally the Rimouski Oceanic's) to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in exchange for overage forward Casey Carreau. The Volts then sent that pick to the Charlottetown Islanders as part of the package for defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

There's presumed to be more involved with this deal - especially with the Sea Dogs expected to send Shane Bowers' QMJHL rights to Drummondville following the completion of the World Junior Hockey Championship. There's simply now way the Dogs would send a second round pick in exchange for only an overage American forward who has never played in the league (and he hasn't exactly been lighting up the world in the United States Hockey League).

Carreau, a Massachusetts native, appeared in 33 games with Boston College last year, recording a goal and four assists. In 22 games withe USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers this season, Carreau has a goal and five helpers.

This deal will likely be cleaned up and completed either in the coming days or at the 2019 QMJHL Entry Draft. It looks to be a classic QMJHL trade.

If Carreau reports to Saint John, that would mean another move - one involving an overager - is coming. Mikhail Denisov's future is also a question mark... he was presumably going to take over the starting role once Alex D'Orio was traded - but D'Orio is still here, which creates even more questions.

Long story short - more moves are coming. We just have to wait and see how it all plays out.

Few Sea Dogs connections at WJC

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There won't be much Saint John Sea Dogs flavour at this year's World Junior Hockey Championship.

Forward Maxim Cajkovic was left off Slovakia's submitted roster meaning - unless something unexpected happens - there will be no current Sea Dogs playing in this year's tournament.

No Dávid Boldižár, Enrik Švec and Maxim Čajkovič for Slovakia at the #WJC2019. Čajkovič was a standout at the World Under-18's in April and is a talented prospect for the draft, so this is a disappointment. https://t.co/B4FCakZbVo

— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) December 22, 2018

Cajkovic was a top prospect for the 2019 NHL Draft entering the season but has seen his stock fall as the year has moved along. This is another setback for the top pick in the 2018 CHL Import Draft. Hopefully the forward can turn things around in the second half.

Team Canada will have a couple Sea Dogs connections. Former captain Joe Veleno and draft pick Shane Bowers will both be wearing the red and white this year - and the two played on a line together in the team's pre-tournament games.

The Sea Dogs will reportedly trade Bowers' QMJHL rights to Veleno's Drummondville Voltigeurs following the world juniors. Bowers, 19, is currently playing with Boston University.

Former Sea Dogs Ostap Safin of the Halifax Mooseheads and Radim Salda of the Rimouski Oceanic have both been left off the Czech Republic's roster. Safin is injured while Salda was one of the final cuts (although it sounds like Salda could be swapped in if the Czechs choose to do so). Both played for the Czechs at last year's tournament in Buffalo.

The world juniors began today and go until Jan. 6 in Vancouver and Victoria. All games are on TSN.

Despres, DiDomenico begin Spengler Cup play

Two former Saint John Sea Dogs begin Spengler Cup play on Wednesday.

Forward Chris DiDomenico and defenseman Simon Despres were both named to Team Canada's roster for the annual tournament, which takes place Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

Canada's first game is this afternoon at 3 p.m. against the host HC Davos.

DiDomenico, 29, has become a regular in Team Canada's lineup. This will be his fourth Spengler Cup appearance, recording two goals and seven assists in 11 career games.

The Woodbridge, Ont. native is back playing with the SCL Tigers in Switzerland where he has seven goals and 20 assists in 27 games this season. Last year, DiDomenico spent the entire campaign in North America, appearing in 24 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators and 50 games in the American Hockey League.

For Despres, this is his first Spengler Cup appearance. The 27-year-old spent last season in the KHL but hadn't been playing anywhere this year until he recently signed with the AHL's Laval Rocket. In five games, he has a goal and an assist.

Despres is no doubt hoping this can help kickstart an NHL comeback. He has seen limited playing time over the past few years due to concussion problems.

DiDomenico and Despres both played with the Sea Dogs during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns. DiDomencio was traded in 2009 to the Drummondville Voltigeurs while Despres spent the rest of his junior career in Saint John, winning a Memorial Cup title in 2011.

All of Canada's Spengler Cup games will be broadcast on TSN.

Report: Bowers' rights going to Volts

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SAINT JOHN - Is Shane Bowers finally on his way to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League?

News surfaced Sunday night that the Saint John Sea Dogs will trade Bowers' QMJHL rights to the Drummondville Voltigeurs following the completion of the World Junior Hockey Championship. Bowers is currently playing with Team Canada - which happens to feature two current Voltigeurs forwards in Joe Veleno and Maxime Comtois.

According to Mikael Lalancette of TVA Sports, the deal will, unsurprisingly, involve conditional picks. Lalancette reports that the Sea Dogs will receive a first-round pick if Bowers plays for the Volts.

Les Voltigeurs vont faire l’acquisition des droits de Shane Bowers des Sea Dogs, un membre d’Équipe Canada junior 2019. La transaction se fera le 6 janvier seulement. Choix conditionnels cédés en retour. #tvasports

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MLalancetteTVA) December 24, 2018

Si Shane Bowers joue à Drummondville cette saison, il y aura au moins un choix de premier tour cédé aux Sea Dogs.

Bowers a été un choix de première ronde des Sénateurs l’an dernier. #tvasports

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MLalancetteTVA) December 24, 2018

Reports also indicate that it's not a sure thing that Bowers reports. After years of wondering and speculation, this seems like the most opportune time for the forward to play in the league. Bowers would be leaving Boston University to join one of the CHL's elite teams this season in his 19-year-old year. A Colorado Avalanche prospect, there's a good chance he'll be playing pro next year, which makes leaving college hockey now understandable.

Sea Dogs acquire Drover from Eagles

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs made a big splash on the opening day of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's trading period.

The Sea Dogs acquired forward Alex Drover from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in exchange for defenseman Nathan Larose and a 2020 third-round draft pick.

Drover, 16, was the 10th overall pick in June's QMJHL Entry Draft. He's appeared in 26 games with the Screaming Eagles this season, recording three goals and eight assists.

“We are thrilled to welcome Alex to the Sea Dogs,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie in a news release. “Alex is a goal scorer with lots of offensive upside and will be a nice compliment to the young core that we already have in place. He is another young player who will develop and grow with our rookie class as we continue to put the pieces together for a future Memorial Cup team.”

Word of the deal began on Saturday night with the Screaming Eagles in town. Neither Larose nor Drover played in the game.

.@SJSeaDogs trade Nathan Larose and 3rd pick to @CBSEHockey for Alex Drover.  Here is his reaction. #QMJHL #SportsandMoore pic.twitter.com/WV02JyWKv4

— John Moore (@rinkrant) December 16, 2018

The Sea Dogs continue to stockpile high end 2002-born players with the move. Jeremie Poirier, William Villeneuve, Josh Lawrence and Brady Burns are already regulars while Dawson Stairs has appeared in several games as an affiliate. The Dogs are already over the underage player limit, so it's unclear what exactly is going to happen here.

Drover, a Port-aux-Basques, NL native, played the 2017-18 season with the Halifax McDonald’s of the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League where he recorded 27 goals and 30 assists, earning the league’s Rookie of the Year honour.

Larose, 18, was in his second season with the Sea Dogs. In 26 games he had two goals and six assists.

The QMJHL's trading period closes on Jan. 6.

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 3-2

FINAL: Cape Breton 3, Saint John 2

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs ended the first half with a one-goal loss to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Alex D'Orio, making his second straight start after two weeks off, made 32 stops in a 3-2 Sea Dogs loss to the Eagles on Saturday night at Harbour Station. With the QMJHL's trading period opening up on Sunday, this very well could have been the netminder's final start as a Sea Dog.

Saint John struggled to generate offense on Saturday, recording just eight shots through the first 30 minutes of play. D'Orio kept the team in the contest until they were able to get things going a bit in the third.

Cape Breton's Ian Smallwood and Brooklyn Kalmikov both scored in the second period to put the visitors up 2-0. Filip Prikryl scored his second of the season at 2:28 of the third, redirecting a Yohan Plamondon pass through the five-hole of Eagles goaltender William Grimard.

Less than three-minutes later, Mitchell Balmas scored what proved to be the game-winner. Jeremie Poirier scored on a beautiful individual effort at 7:46, sliding in and around the Cape Breton defense in the offensive zone, but that would be as close as the Dogs would get to tying things up.

Grimard made 17 saves in the win.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 6-4

FINAL: Charlottetown 4, Saint John 6

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs had a big night at Harbour Station.

Maxim Cajkovic and William Poirier each scored twice to lead the Sea Dogs to a 6-4 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday.

Robbie Burt and Nicholas Deakin-Poot also scored. Underage defensemen Charlie DesRoches and William Villeneuve each had two assists while fellow 16-year-old Brady Burns had three helpers.

The big story of the night was in net. Alex D'Orio, who hasn't played since Nov. 30, got the start in net. The Sea Dogs are presumably trading D'Orio when the league's holiday trading period opens in the coming days - but crazier things have happened. Starting him on Friday was definitely an unexpected move.

D'Orio was solid in net, making 34 saves in the win.

Nikita Alexandrov, Derek Gentile, Daniel Hardie and Kevin Gursoy all scored for Charlottetown. Dakota Lund-Cornish made 31 stops in the loss.

Saint John erased a 2-0 first period deficit to earn the victory.

Game Day 33: vs Islanders

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs continue their three-game homestand to end the first half tonight against the Charlottetown Islanders.

The Sea Dogs are coming off a close 3-2 loss to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Wednesday at Harbour Station.

Game time tonight is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 4-25-2-1 for 11 points (sixth Maritimes, 18th QMJHL) while the Islanders are 20-8-2-1 for 43 points (third Maritimes, sixth QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Wednesday at Harbour Station. Nathan Larose and Aiden MacIntosh scored for Saint John. Mikhail Denisov made 21 saves in the loss. The Islanders are coming off a 5-4 shootout win over the Moncton Wildcats on Wednesday morning. Brett Budgell scored twice for Charlottetown while singles came from Keith Getson and Daniel Hardie. Matthew Welsh made 49 stops in the win.

2018-19 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 0-3-0-1 against the Islanders this season while Charlottetown is 4-0-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Oct. 28 at Harbour Station where the Islanders defeated the Sea Dogs 10-4. Daniel Hardie, Hunter Drew and Keith Getson each scored twice for Charlottetown while singles came from Brett Budgell, Nikita Alexandrov, Thomas Casey and Derek Gentile. Anthony Boucher, Nicholas Deakin-Poot, Yohan Plamondon and Brady Burns all scored for Saint John. Matthew Welsh made 28 stops in the win. Alex D'Orio allowed 10 goals on 39 shots in the loss.

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 3-2

FINAL: Bathurst 3, Saint John 2
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SAINT JOHN - Mark Grametbauer did it again.

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan netminder made 42 saves to lead his team to a 3-2 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs on Wednesday night at Harbour Station.

In his last start against Saint John on Nov. 21, Grametbauer made 41 stops to lead the Titan to a 4-1 win. He is now 4-0 against the Dogs this season.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak for Bathurst and pushed them into sole possession of the coveted ninth-place position in the Eastern Conference.

The Sea Dogs, it seems, can't catch a break. Here they are playing one of the weakest teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League - that is missing Noah Dobson - but, of course, they run into a strong goaltender and they can't earn a win despite firing 44 shots on net.

Nathan Larose and Aiden MacIntosh scored for Saint John. Mikhail Denisov made 21 stops in the loss.

Liam Leonard, Evan MacKinnon and Ethan Crossman scored for Bathurst.

Game Day 32: vs Titan

SAINT JOHN - The two worst teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League meet tonight at Harbour Station.

The Saint John Sea Dogs return home after dropping back-to-back road games to the Maritimes Division's top two teams. The Acadie-Bathurst Titan, meanwhile, have lost six straight games.

Game time tonight between the Sea Dogs and Titan is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 4-24-2-1 for 11 points (sixth Maritimes, 18th QMJHL) while the Titan are 5-24-0-1 for 11 points (fifth Maritimes, 17th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-2 loss in Moncton on Sunday. Michael Campoli and Anthony Boucher scored for Saint John. Mikhail Denisov made 29 saves in the loss. The Titan are coming off 6-0 loss in Halifax on Saturday night. Tyriq Outen allowed five goals on 17 shots. Mark Grametbauer allowed one goal on nine shots in relief.

2018-19 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 0-3-0-0 against the Titan this season while Bathurst is 3-0-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Nov. 21 in Saint John where the Titan defeated the Sea Dogs 4-1. Charles-Andre Cypihot, Liam Leonard, Noah Dobson and Marc-Andre LeCouffe all scored for Bathurst. Nicholas Deakin-Poot scored Saint John's lone goal. Mark Grametbauer made 41 stops in the win. Alex D'Orio made 21 saves in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Titan: None.

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 6-2

FINAL: Saint John 2, Moncton 6

MONCTON - The road woes continued for the Saint John Sea Dogs on Sunday.

The Sea Dogs remain winless on the road this season following a 6-2 loss to the Moncton Wildcats at the Avenir Centre. Saint John has not won a road game since Dec. 15, 2017 and, with their next road match not until after the Christmas break, will go an entire calendar year without a win away from home.

Saint John had a decent opening period but still trailed 2-1. Like a lot of games recently, the wheels fell off in the middle frame with the Wildcats scoring four times on 20 shots. That put the game out of reach.

Jeremy McKenna and Mika Cyr both scored twice while singles came from Kyle Foreman and Jakob Pelletier. Francis Leclerc made 27 saves in the victory.

Michael Campoli and Anthony Boucher scored for Saint John. Mikhail Denisov made 29 saves in the loss.

Game Day 31: at Moncton

MONCTON - The Saint John Sea Dogs will look to rebound from Friday's rough loss today against the Moncton Wildcats.

The Sea Dogs fell 10-2 in Halifax on Friday despite not being that badly outplayed by the Mooseheads. Things won't be much easier against the Wildcats - who currently sit third overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League - this afternoon.

Game time at the Avenir Centre is 4 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 4-23-2-1 for 11 points (sixth Maritimes, 18th overall) while the Wildcats are 21-9-2-0 for 44 points (first Maritimes, third QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 10-2 loss in Halifax on Friday night. Nicholas Deakin-Poot and Jeremie Jacob scored for Saint John. Mikhail Denisov was pulled after allowing five goals on 16 shots. Tommy DaSilva allowed five goals on 15 shots in relief. The Wildcats are coming off a 4-3 home loss to the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday. Jonathan Aspirot scored twice for Moncton while Jakob Pelletier added a single. Francis Leclerc made 30 stops in the loss.

2018-19 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-2-0-0 against the Wildcats this season while Moncton is 2-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Oct. 25 at the Avenir Centre where the Wildcats defeated the Sea Dogs 5-2. Jeremy McKenna had two goals for Moncton while singles came from Mika Cyr, Jakob Pelletier and Simon Le Coultre. Yohan Plamondon and Brady Burns scored for Saint John. Francis Leclerc made 37 stops in the win. Alex D'Orio made 37 stops in the loss.

Stairs scores in MHL debut

HALIFAX - Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Dawson Stairs made a strong first impression with his new team.

The 16-year-old forward made his Maritime Junior Hockey League debut on Friday night, scoring on a penalty shot to help the Campbellton Tigers defeat the South Shore Lumberjacks 5-2.

Turn your screen to see the goal:

Tigers Forward Dawson Stairs picks up his 1st Junior Goal with a Penalty Shot! @StairsDawson @SJSeaDogs @THEMHL @JrNightCanada pic.twitter.com/aysDOH8XLO

— Campbellton Tigers (@CTonTigerHockey) December 8, 2018

Stairs joined the Tigers this week after leaving his US prep school program. The move will allow the Fredericton native to play against older competition and be recalled by the Sea Dogs more often.

Campbellton sits second in the MHL's Eastlink North Division with a 14-7-1-0 record. They visit the division leading Summerside Western Capitals this evening.

Photo: Tigers Facebook page

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 10-2

FINAL; Saint John 2, Halifax 10

HALIFAX - It was a rough night in Halifax for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs gave up 10 goals 31 shots in a 10-2 loss to the Halifax Mooseheads on Friday night at Scotiabank Centre.

Saint John wasn't as heavily outplayed in the contest as the score would indicate - but the Dogs simply couldn't keep the puck out of their own net. The Mooseheads seemed to score on every single quality chance they had - and some of their goals came on some not so great opportunities. Mikhail Denisov was pulled in the second after allowing five goals on just 16 shots. Tommy DaSilva allowed two goals on six shots in rest of the second and five on 15 shots in the third. Saint John was only outshot 31-25 overall.

Samuel Asselin and Patrick Kyte both scored two goals for Halifax while singles came from Jake Ryczek, Arnaud Durandeau, Jordan Maher, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Antoine Morand and Denis Toner. Alex Gravel made 23 stops in the win.

Nicholas Deakin-Poot and Jeremie Jacob scored for Saint John.

Game Day 30: at Halifax

HALIFAX - The Saint John Sea Dogs are on a bit of a roll right now.

The team has won two of their past three games - both in overtime - and will need that momentum to carry over if they want succeed tonight against the Memorial Cup hosts. Game time for Saint John's road match against the Halifax Mooseheads is 7 p.m.

This is, surprisingly, the Sea Dogs' first trip to Scotiabank Centre this season. An earlier match between the two was postponed due to weather.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 4-22-2-1 for 11 points (sixth Maritimes, 18th QMJHL) while the Mooseheads are 19-7-1-0 for 39 points (second Maritimes, fifth QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Quebec Remparts at Harbour Station on Wednesday night. Charlie DesRoches, Maxim Cajkovic, Jeremie Poirier and Robbie Burt scored for Saint John. Mikhail Denisov made 44 stops in the win. The Mooseheads are coming off a 4-1 win in Rimouski on Sunday. Arnaud Durandeau, Patrick Kyte, Joel Bishop and Ben Higgins scored for the Mooseheads. Alexis Gravel made 30 stops in the win.

2018-19 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 0-1-1-0 against the Mooseheads this season while Halifax is 2-0-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Oct. 12 at Harbour Station where the Mooseheads defeated the Sea Dogs 4-0. Brock McLeod, Raphael Lavoie, Xavier Parent and Samuel Asselin all scored for Halifax. Cole McLaren made 28 stops in the shutout victory. Alex D'Orio made 34 saves in the loss.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 4-3 (OT)

FINAL: Quebec 3, Saint John 4 (OT)

SAINT JOHN - Robbie Burt did it again.

For the second time in the past three games, Burt scored the overtime winner to give the Saint John Sea Dogs a win. On Wednesday, the team's leading scorer netted his 11th of the season to give the Sea Dogs an exciting 4-3 victory over the Quebec Remparts.

The Sea Dogs generated very few quality scoring chances throughout the game but made the most of the ones they did generate. Saint John was outshot 47-23 in the contest - including 20-5 in the third period.

Saint John's underage players were in the spotlight on Wednesday. Charlie DesRoches scored for a fourth straight game and added an assist; Jeremie Poirier had a goal and an assist; Josh Lawrence had an assist; and Brady Burns registered two assists.

Maxim Cajkovic also scored. Goaltender Mikhail Denisov was solid, making 44 saves.

Mikael Robidoux, Philipp Kurashev and Matthew Grouchy scored for Quebec. Anthony Morrone made 19 stops in the loss.

Game Day 29: vs Remparts

SAINT JOHN - Patrick Roy and the Quebec Remparts begin a three-game Maritime road trip tonight against the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Following tonight's match, the Remparts will travel to Charlottetown tomorrow followed by a game in Sydney against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles on Saturday.

This is the first meeting of the season between the Sea Dogs and Remparts.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 3-22-2-1 for nine points (sixth Maritimes, 18th QMJHL) while the Remparts are 13-11-2-3 for 31 points (fourth East Division, 11th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 7-1 loss to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on home ice on Saturday. Charlie DesRoches scored Saint John's lone goal. Mikhail Denisov allowed six goals on 43 shots while Tommy DaSilva allowed one on seven shots. The Remparts are coming off a 5-3 road win in Baie-Comeau on Saturday. Olivier Mathieu, Philipp Kurashev, Pierrick Dube, Jeremy Laframboise and Matthew Grouchy scored for Quebec. Anthony Morrone made 28 stops in the win.

2018-19 head-to-head: This is the first meeting of the season between the two clubs.

2017-18 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 2-0-0-0 against the Remparts last season while Quebec went 0-1-0-1 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Jan. 20 at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Remparts 4-1. Anthony Boucher scored twice for Saint John while singles came from Ostap Safin and Robbie Burt. Pascal Laberge scored Quebec's lone goal. Alex D'Orio made 44 stops in the win. Dereck Baribeau made 22 stops in the loss.

Veleno, Bowers invited to Canada camp

Former Saint John Sea Dogs captain Joe Veleno has been invited to Team Canada's World Junior Selection Camp.

Veleno was one of the 34 players invited to the camp, which will take place Dec. 11-14 in Victoria. The roster consists of three goaltenders, 12 defensemen and 19 forwards.

The Drummondville Voltigeurs forward has 19 goals and 26 assists in 25 games this season. He's one of the hottest players in Canada right now, recording eight goals and 14 assists in his past six games. Most "experts" had Veleno on the fence of receiving an invite - but his hot play of late likely secured a spot.

Eight players from the QMJHL received invites: Veleno (DRU), Pierre-Olivier Joseph (CHA), Noah Dobson (BAT), Jared McIsaac (HFX), Nicolas Beaudin (DRU), Maxime Comtois (DRU), Alexis Lafrenière (RIM) and Raphael Lavoie (HFX).

Also invited was Boston University forward and Halifax native Shane Bowers. The Colorado Avalanche prospect was a draft pick of Saint John in 2016 bur never reported to the club. He has three goals and two assists in 13 NCAA games this year.

The selection camp will feature three exhibition games against a U Sports all-star squad. The U Sports lineup includes former Sea Dogs defenseman Matt Murphy of the UNB Reds.

Elsewhere around the globe, former Sea Dogs forward Ostap Safin of the Halifax Mooseheads and defenseman Radim Salda of the Rimouski Oceanic have been invited to the Czech Republic's world junior camp. Both played in last year's tournament.

World junior pre-tournament play begins on Dec. 18. The real thing starts on Boxing Day in Vancouver and Victoria.

Stairs to make MHL debut Friday

SAINT JOHN - Dawson Stairs is expected to make his Campbellton Tigers debut this Friday.

The Saint John Sea Dogs prospect has left the South Kent Selects Academy of the USPHL to join the Maritime Junior Hockey League club for the remainder of the season. The move will allow the forward to play against older competition and be called up by the Dogs more often.

The move was announced last week but Stairs did not join the club until today. He is expected to be in the team's lineup for Friday's home match against the South Shore Lumberjacks.

Dawson Stairs, who signed with the Tigers last week, arrived in Campbellton this morning to join the Team. Stairs will done #11 & will be in the line up for Friday night’s game against the @ljackshockey @StairsDawson @THEMHL @JrNightCanada Come out & Cheer on your Tigers! pic.twitter.com/E3AKc5YKkN

— Campbellton Tigers (@CTonTigerHockey) December 3, 2018

Prior to leaving, Stairs recorded 21 goals and 24 assists in 30 games at South Kent.

“Dawson is embarking on a new challenge next week” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie in a news release. “He played well during his call-up with us and we are pleased with his development at South Kent. He gained lots of confidence while at their program and is now going to face some adversity playing against bigger, stronger, older, and overall more experienced competition. There is a lot of trust and familiarity with Greg (Leland) and it will give us a chance to see him play, maybe twice as much for the Sea Dogs than was initially planned.”

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 7-1

FINAL: Rouyn-Noranda 7, Saint John 1

SAINT JOHN - The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's top defensive team lived up to the hype on Friday night at Harbour Station.

Rouyn-Noranda goaltender Zachary Emond improved to 10-0 on the season with a 25-save win over the Saint John Sea Dogs, guiding the Huskies to a 7-1 victory.

The Huskies were in control of the game for its entirety and it certainly looked like a first versus worst battle. Saint John struggled to get the puck out of their own zone at times and couldn't generate any consistent offensive zone pressure.

Rouyn-Noranda entered the game with a league best 2.24 goals against average and improved on that mark on Friday.

Alex Beaucage scored a hat trick for the Huskies while singles came from Patrik Hrehorcak, Mathieu Gagnon, Vincent Marleau and Peter Abbandonato.

Charlie DesRoches scored Saint John's lone goal - his third in three games. Mikhail Denisov was pulled after allowing six goals on 43 shots. Tommy DaSilva made six saves in relief.

Game Day 28: vs Huskies

SAINT JOHN - The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's top team makes their only stop at Harbour Station tonight.

The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who have an impressive 22-5-0-0 record through 27 games, take on the Saint John Sea Dogs this evening at 7 p.m.

The Sea Dogs ended a 17-game losing streak with a 4-3 overtime win over the Val-d'Or Foreurs last night. The Huskies, meanwhile, began their Maritime road trip with a loss in Sydney on Thursday.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/Sea Dogs Radio/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 3-21-2-1 for nine points (sixth Maritimes, 18th QMJHL) while the Huskies are 22-5-0-0 for 44 points (first West, first QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Val-d'Or Foreurs last night at Harbour Station. Robbie Burt had a hat trick while Charlie DesRoches added a single. Alex D'Orio made 36 saves in the win. The Huskies are coming off a 3-2 road loss to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles on Thursday night. Peter Abbandonato and Tyler Hinam scored for the Huskies. Samuel Harvey made 24 stops in the loss.

2018-19 head-to-head: This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

2017-18 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 1-1-0-0 against the Huskies last season while Rouyn-Noranda went 1-0-1-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Feb. 17 in Rouyn-Noranda where the Huskies defeated the Sea Dogs 5-3. Mathieu Boucher, Samuel Naud, Tommy Beaudoin, Alexis Arsenault and Justin Bergeron scored for the Huskies. Ben Reid, Robbie Burt and Ostap Safin scored for Saint John. Zachary Emond made 17 saves in the win. Matthew Williams made 55 stops in the loss.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 4-3 (OT)

FINAL: Val-d'Or 3, Saint John 4 (OT)

SAINT JOHN - The longest losing streak in Saint John Sea Dogs franchise history is over.

The Sea Dogs ended their 17-game losing skid on Friday night at Harbour Station, erasing a two-goal third period deficit to defeat the Val-d'Or Foreurs 4-3 in overtime.

Robbie Burt scored a hat trick for Saint John - which included the game-winner - in what was just the club's third victory all season and first since Oct. 9.

The Foreurs went up 2-0 early in the second period but Burt's goal at 8:50 got the Dogs back within one. A late goal by Val-d'Or gave the visitors a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame, which set up some dramatics rarely seen this season.

Charlie DesRoches scored at 10:26 of the third and then Burt scored just 45 seconds later, tying the match at 3-3. Saint John outshot Val-d'Or 21-13 in the third.

At 2:24 of overtime, Burt completed his hat trick to secure the win.

Alex D'Orio made 36 stops in the victory.

Nicolas Ouellet, Jacob Gaucher and Jeremy Michel scored for the Foreurs. Jonathan Lemieux made 41 stops in the loss.