Recap: Sea Dogs lose 3-2 (OT)

FINAL: Saint John 2, Cape Breton 3 (OT)

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SYDNEY, NS - Ivan Ivan scored the overtime winner to lift the Cape Breton Eagles to a 3-2 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs on Wednesday night at Centre 200.

With Brady Burns in the box for a high stick, Ivan hammered a one time shot into the net before Sea Dogs goaltender Ventsislav Shingarov could slide over to give the home team the extra point.

Ivan also scored in regulation time while William Shields scored Cape Breton's other goal. Nicolas Ruccia was very good in the the Eagles crease, making 29 saves in the victory.

Burns and Cole Burbidge scored for Saint John while Cam MacDonald had two assists. Shingarov was also very good in net, making 31 stops in the loss.

These two teams are separated by just a few points in the standings and it showed in this game. Most of the match was very evenly played with shots ending 34-31 in favour of the Eagles.

The Sea Dogs and Eagles now travel to Saint John where they'll face off on Friday and Saturday night to close out the first half.

LINEUP

Burns - Trenholm - Elie

Simek - MacDonald - Mateiko

Laforge - Cournoyer - Reinhart

Szczerba - Burbidge - Beaulieu

Tivey - Akkouche

Bilodeau - Cosman

Welsh - Tracey

Shingarov

Brideau

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without goaltender Nikolas Hurtubise (injury); defensemen Charlie DesRoches (injury), Jeremie Richard (injury) and Vincent Despont (Switzerland world junior camp); and forwards Peter Reynolds (injury) and Sam-Luca Thifault (injury).

NO GOALS: It looked as though the Sea Dogs had tied the game with 6:38 remaining in the first period when a shot hit a few things on its way towards the net and beat Nicolas Ruccia. But after a lengthy review, the goal was called off due to a hand pass. Then with 1:55 remaining in the second, a Brady Burns power play goal was immediately called off. Burns scored again shortly after - a goal that did count.

NICE GOAL: Cole Burbidge scored one of the nicest Sea Dogs goals of the season late in the first period.

As we finish the first period, please enjoy this highlight reel goal from Cole Burbidge to tie the game up! 🤯🚨#CityofChampions pic.twitter.com/ziTPdY68uv

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) December 14, 2022

100th GOAL: Brady Burns' second period goal was the 100th of his QMJHL career. He becomes just the third Sea Dog to score 100 or more goals in their career, joining Jonathan Huberdeau (104) and Michael Kirkpatrick (108).

BURNS 🔥🔥🔥🔥

With QMJHL goal number 100, Burns ties up the game! #CityofChampions pic.twitter.com/z4HE4zJO82

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) December 15, 2022

NOTES: Eagles goaltender Oliver Satny is away at Czechia's world junior camp. Giovacchino DiMattia backed up Nicolas Ruccia... the Eagles went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen... Ivan Ivan had five of Cape Breton's eight shots in the first period. He finished the game with 10 shots... Cole Burbidge's goal in the first period was his first point since Nov. 27... Noah Reinhart had seven shots... Pavel Simek had three hits... Saint John won just 28 of 72 faceoffs... attendance was 2,454.

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs and Eagles meet again on Friday night at 7 p.m. at TD Station.