Recap: Sea Dogs lose 3-2

FINAL: Charlottetown 3, Saint John 2

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Charlottetown Islanders picked up a crucial two points on the Saint John Sea Dogs on Saturday night at TD Station.

The Islanders erased a 2-0 first period deficit to earn a 3-2 win over the Sea Dogs. The victory gives the Islanders a bit more breathing room over the Dogs for the QMJHL's final playoff spots. Charlottetown currently has 46 points and sits 14th overall while Saint John has 40 points and sits 17th. The top-16 teams qualify for the post-season.

Saint John had a solid opening period but Charlottetown took over the game in the second, scoring three unanswered in the frame. Scoring chances were few and far between for both clubs after the Islanders took the lead. Saint John pressured in the final minute with their goaltender pulled but could not net the equalizer.

Lucas Romeo, Jeremie Biakabutuka and Kiefer Lyons scored for Charlottetown. Jakob Robillard made 23 saves in the victory.

Joseph Ianniello and Brady Burns scored for Saint John. Olivier Brideau made 24 stops in the loss.

The two teams meet again on Monday afternoon in what will be another important game for both teams.

LINEUP

Burns - Burbidge - Reinhart

Simek - Mateiko - Drover

Laforge - Cournoyer - Elie

Beaulieu - Benoit

Tivey - DesRoches

Akkouche - Cosman

Ianniello - Despont

Bilodeau

Brideau

Shingarov

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without defenseman Jeremie Richard (healthy) along with forwards Peter Reynolds (injury), Sam-Luca Thifault (injury), Harrison Ballard (healthy) and Nathan Casey (healthy).

ONE FOR ALL: As part of this weekend's One For All Festival, it was Tina Turner tribute night with musical performances before the game and during both intermissions.

Tina Turner tribute night. One For All Festival continues tomorrow and Monday. pic.twitter.com/U8xpoQN47C

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) February 19, 2023

BACK-TO-BACK: After scoring his first QMJHL goal on Friday, defenseman Joseph Ianniello netted his second of the season in the first period of this game, firing a hard shot past Jakob Robillard.

His first @QMJHL goal last night, his second tonight! Ianniello opens the scoring for the Sea Dogs. 🚨#CityofChampions pic.twitter.com/6Z2iDefObk

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) February 18, 2023

CAREER HIGH: Brady Burns netted his 28th goal of the season in the first period, setting a new career high. He scored 27 both last season and in 2019-20. Burns now has 241 career points as he tries to catch Jonathan Huberdeau's franchise record of 257.

NOTES: The Sea Dogs wore their black third jerseys... Vincent Despont and Simon Hughes dropped the gloves in the second period but the officials broke up the fight before punches could be thrown... there were plenty of cheers when Kiefer Lyons scored in the second period to give Charlottetown a 3-2 lead. Lyons is a Quispamsis native and former Saint John Vito... Noah Reinhart had two assists... the unknown 50/50 winner took home $6,165... attendance was 3,826.

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs host the Islanders again on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m.