Recap: Sea Dogs lose 9-2

FINAL: Charlottetown 9, Saint John 2

GRAND FALLS, NB - The Saint John Sea Dogs' first ever appearance in Grand Falls was a memorable one - but for all the wrong reasons.

The Sea Dogs, who were the home team, were smoked by the visiting Charlottetown Islanders, falling 9-2 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League pre-season play at the E.&P. Sénéchal Center. Saint John recorded just 14 shots on goal.

While this is still the pre-season and the Sea Dogs were missing some key regulars - particularly on the backend with Jeremie Poirier and Charlie DesRoches both out - Saint John did not look good. This was the team's first pre-season game in two weeks - and it looked like the team's first game action in two weeks. The Dogs were sluggish all game long and were never in control of the game.

Making the night even worse was former Sea Dogs Luke Wilson and Kevin Gursoy both scoring for the Isles. Drew Johnston and Xavier Fortin each scored a pair of goals while singles came from William Sirman, Brett Budgell and Patrick LeBlanc. Nolan Boyd and Jacob Goobie split the night in net.

Saint John goals came from Joona Lehmus and Kale McCallum. Mathias Savoie allowed eight goals on 25 shots before leaving the game with an injury late in the third. Noah Patenaude allowed a goal - a penalty shot goal - on two shots he faced.

LINEUP

Tonight’s Sea Dogs and @IslandersHKY lineups. 7 p.m. puck drop in Grand Falls. pic.twitter.com/IkOfJYSFqA

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) September 6, 2019

LINES
Burns - Deakin-Poot - Vandervoet
White - Lawrence - Jacob
Drover - Badalamenti - Stairs
MacIntosh - Roy - Belisle

Villeneuve - McCallum
Desroches - Lehmus
Musico - Spadafore

Savoie
Patenaude

RAPIDS CONNECTIONS: Defensemen Jordan Spadafore and Patrick Musico - who played with the MHL's Grand Falls Rapids last season - were paired together and in the starting lineup. The two also got a solo lap at the beginning of warm up. The Islanders started Nolan Boyd in net, who spent last season with the Rapids, and was given a loud ovation when he was pulled midway through the game after giving up no goals on eight shots.

DEBUTS: Defenseman Olivier Desroches, acquired in a trade, and forward Matt Gould, who signed with the Sea Dogs on Thursday, both made their debuts with Saint John.

SAVOIE HURT: Goaltender Mathias Savoie was injured late in the third period after getting run into by Drew Johnston. Savoie looked to be shaken up and was helped off. He looked uncomfortable on the bench and was slow heading to the dressing room after the game. An injury wouldn't be ideal with Zachary Bouthillier off to Toronto Maple Leafs camp.

NICE PLACE: Grand Falls' E.&P. Sénéchal Center is a beautiful rink. Official attendance was 744.

Not a massive crowd here. Beautiful Jr A building though. pic.twitter.com/WrvdnGWwdG

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) September 6, 2019

NOTES: The Sea Dogs have now lost three straight pre-season games... Charlottetown's last goal came on a penalty shot... the final may have been 10-2 if there was video review. A couple Islanders no goals looked awfully close to actual goals.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs visit the Islanders next Friday at Charlottetown's Eastlink Centre.