Recap: Sea Dogs lose 8-2

FINAL: Sherbrooke 8, Saint John 2

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Sherbrooke Phoenix looked very much like one of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's best teams on Friday night at TD Station. 

World junior standout Joshua Roy had a five-point night - three goals and two assists - to lead the Phoenix to an 8-2 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs. Former Acadie-Bathurst Titan forward Jacob Melanson, acquired by Sherbrooke at the deadline, also had a five-point night, posting two goals and three assists.

Former Charlottetown Islanders forward Jakub Brabenec, the third member of Sherbrooke's top line with Roy and Melanson, finished the night with four assists.

Justin Gill added a pair of goals while Israel Mianscum had a solo marker for the Western Conference's first-place squad. Olivier Adam made 26 saves in the win.

Saint John had a decent start to the game, but once Sherbrooke got rolling they couldn't be stopped. The Phoenix led 3-0 after one thanks to three goals in the second half of the period.

The Sea Dogs had some good stretches here and there but the Phoenix were simply too much to handle.

Eriks Mateiko and Joseph Ianniello scored for Saint John. Ventsislav Shingarov allowed eight goals on 42 shots in the loss.

LINEUP

Burns - Burbidge - Elie

Simek - Mateiko - Drover

Cournoyer - Reinhart

Laforge - Ballard - Benoit

Tivey - DesRoches

Bilodeau - Cosman

Ianniello - Despont

Akkouche

Shingarov

Brideau

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without defensemen Jeremie Richard (healthy) and forwards Peter Reynolds (injury), Sam-Luca Thifault (injury), Jacob Beaulieu (healthy) and Nathan Casey (healthy).

FIRST GOAL: Joseph Ianniello scored his first QMJHL goal in the second period. The 18-year-old defenseman has appeared in 15 games since joining the Sea Dogs in the second half.

FIRST QMJHL GOAL ALERT! 🚨

Congratulations Joseph! #CityofChampions pic.twitter.com/hJue2BoOy0

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

ROY: Former Sea Dog Joshua Roy, who had a goal and two assists against Saint John in their October meeting, had another big game Friday, recording three goals and two assists. It was his second five-point game of the season. The Montreal Canadiens prospect entered the game having recorded just four points in five February games.

NOTES: It was Saint John's Pride Night and, as part of this weekend's One For All Festival, featured an Elton John tribute performance... the intermissions were extended for the musical performances... Brady Burns had six shots... Charlie DesRoches was a -5... Sherbrooke's David Sapcek was a +6... Saint John kept Sherbrooke's power play - the best in the QMJHL - off the scoresheet... attendance on a messy night was 3,412.

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs take on the Charlottetown Islanders tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at TD Station.