RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 3-1

FINAL: Chicoutimi 3, Saint John 1

SAINT JOHN - A shorthanded Saint John Sea Dogs squad dropped their fifth straight game on Saturday night at Harbour Station.

First overall pick Hendrix Lapierre scored twice to lift the Chicoutimi Sagueneens to a 3-1 victory over the Sea Dogs. Liam Murphy also scored for the winners while Alexis Shank made 29 stops in the win.

Maxim Cajkovic scored Saint John's lone goal. Zachary Bouthillier, playing against his old team for the first time, made 40 stops in the loss.

Saint John dressed just 11 forwards and six defenseman due to injuries/illness. Robbie Burt, the team's leading goal scorer, missed his second straight contest. Saint John's fatigue showed at times, being outshot 20-11 in the third period.

Chicoutimi has now won six straight games heading into a tough road contest against the Halifax Mooseheads Sunday afternoon. They are a decent club and would likely have a better record if they weren't playing in a tough East Division.

The Sea Dogs will enter next week's pivotal three-game Quebec road trip on a losing skid. The trip includes a Thursday night matchup with the Shawinigan Cataractes, who sit just one point ahead of the Sea Dogs in the race for the league's final playoff spot.

LINEUP

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without forwards Robbie Burt, William Poirier and James White; along with defenseman William Villeneuve. All were listed as injured.

NOTES: Former Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant was in attendance... Maxim Cajkovic extended his goal streak to four games... Zachary Bouthillier picked up an assist on Cajkovic's goal... Saint John doesn't play at home again until Feb. 9.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs visit the Shawinigan Cataractes on Thursday ay 8 p.m.