Recap: Sea Dogs win 5-3

FINAL: Hamilton 3, Saint John 5

Vincent Ethier/QMJHL

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs opened the 2022 Memorial Cup with a statement performance.

The Sea Dogs had one of their best performances of the season Monday, defeating the Ontario Hockey League champion Hamilton Bulldogs 5-3 at TD Station.

It was Saint John's first game since May 12, a devastating Game 5 overtime loss on home ice to the Rimouski Oceanic. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, were coming off a seven-game series win and had just four days off to prepare for this game against an opponent they've never played before.

In his coaching debut, it was obvious that Gardiner MacDougall has had an influence on this squad. The Sea Dogs, like UNB teams, played with a lot of speed and were strong on the forecheck. Saint John looked prepared and used the energy to their advantage.

Ryan Francis netted a pair of goals for Saint John while singles came from Yan Kuznetsov, Raivis Ansons and William Dufour. Nikolas Hurtubise made 17 stops in the win.

Ryan Winterton scored a pair of goals for Hamilton while Avery Hayes added a solo marker. Marco Costantini made 31 saves in the loss.

The Bulldogs scored two of their three goals on power plays while their third goal came with the goaltender pulled.

LINEUP

Burns - Lawrence - Dufour

Ansons - Daoust - Francis

Reynolds - MacDonald - Bezeau

Lessard - Trenholm - Picard

Blagden

Sevigny - Villeneuve

Kuznetsov - Poirier

Drapeau - DesRoches

Hurtubise

Couture

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without goaltender Noah Patenaude; forwards Nico Laforge, Jacob Chantler, Adam Bowness and Nicholas Blagden; and defensemen Hunter Gartley and Vincent Despont. 

PRE-GAME: There was lots of stuff going on pre-game. There was an NHL-style on-ice projection show followed by hype videos for each team. The Memorial Cup trophy and special guests - which included Mike Thomas - took part in a ceremonial puck drop. That puck was lowered to the ice by members of a fire rescue squad. They really went all out for this.

QUICK START: It took just 2:17 for Yan Kuznetsov to open the scoring. It was Kuznetsov's first goal since Feb. 9 and just his third of the year (regular season and playoff combined).

Un but très rapide des Sea Dogs. Les hôtes de la CM depuis 2010 :

2022 - SNB - 2:17
2019 - HAL - 10:49
2018 - REG - 20:19
2017 - WDS - 4:07
2016 - RED - 39:45
2015 - QUÉ - 5:18
2014 - LON - 96:12
2013 - SAS - 7:59
2012 - SHA - 8:36
2011 - MIS - 7:07
2010 - BDN - 34:57

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) June 20, 2022

OPENER RECORD: With the win, the Sea Dogs improved to 2-2 all-time in their first game at Memorial Cups. The Sea Dogs have played an OHL team in all four of those games. This was the third time the team has played in the tournament's first game. 

ANSONS: After leading the team in playoff scoring with two goals and three assists, Raivis Ansons continued his strong offensive play into the Memorial Cup. Ansons recorded three assists in the victory. He was originally a credited with a goal but it was later given to Ryan Francis. 

BIG NIGHTS: Along with a big offensive night from Ansons, overagers Ryan Francis (two goals and an assist) and Philippe Daoust (three assists) had standout performances.

We went wrapping in Saint John! 🎁#MemorialCup pic.twitter.com/3j3qOJcbwI

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 21, 2022

NOTES: Maestro Fresh Wes was one of the in-game hosts and performed at second intermission... the referees were mic'd up NHL style to announce penalties... three of the four on-ice officials were from the QMJHL... Philippe Daoust was sporting a full cage in the third period... Ryan Francis was a +4 on the night... Francis, Riley Bezeau and Jeremie Poirier each had five shots... the 50/50 winner took home $15,330.

HIGHLIGHTS

To come...

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs are back in action on Wednesday, taking on the WHL champion Edmonton Oil Kings.