Recap: Sea Dogs win 3-2

FINAL: Saint John 3, Moncton 2

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

MONCTON - Defenseman Joseph Ianniello scored what proved to be the game-winner as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the Moncton Wildcats 3-2 on Thursday night at Avenir Centre.

Ianniello scored from a sharp angle below the faceoff circle with 5:02 to play in the third period, breaking a 2-2 tie. The Wildcats applied plenty of offensive zone pressure in the final few minutes to try and net an equalizer but could not convert.

Sea Dogs goaltender Ventsislav Shingarov had a busy night, making 33 saves in the win. The Wildcats were outshooting the Sea Dogs 26-15 through two periods although dangerous chances remained close throughout the night.

The Wildcats opened the scoring just 42 seconds into the game but the Sea Dogs tied it up a few minutes later. Saint John took a 2-1 lead into the third period only to have Moncton tie it up a few minutes into the final frame.

Vince Elie and Noah Reinhart also scored for Saint John, who ended a three-game losing streak and picked up a crucial two points.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, have now dropped four straight games. Jonas Taibel and Vincent Labelle scored for Moncton while Vincent Filion, who had a rough go last week, made 21 stops in the loss.

LINEUP

Burns - Burbidge - Reinhart

Simek - Reynolds - Benoit

Mateiko - Cournoyer - Drover

Akkouche - Elie

Tivey - DesRoches

Bilodeau - Cosman

Ianniello - Despont

Richard

Shingarov

Brideau

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without forwards Nico Laforge (injury), Sam-Luca Thifault (injury), Harrison Ballard (healthy), Jacob Beaulieu (healthy) and Nathan Casey (healthy).

WELCOME BACK: Forward Peter Reynolds returned from injury, playing in his first game since Jan. 27. He wasted little time making an impact, setting up Vince Elie's goal at 6:50 of the first period. He was named the game's third star. The veteran forward has appeared in just 30 games this season because of injuries.

ROUGH START: The Sea Dogs were awarded a power play just 12 seconds into the game but it would be Moncton's Jonas Taibel opening the scoring shorthanded after an unfortunate giveaway by goaltender Ventsislav Shingarov.

We'll take that. Up 1-0 in the 1st minute. https://t.co/B2XYBsFVFA pic.twitter.com/JWKtcI2QJf

— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) February 23, 2023

STAYING HOT: Defenseman Joseph Ianniello seems to have found his scoring touch in the QMJHL. Playing in just his 18th game with the Sea Dogs, Ianniello scored his third goal - all of which have come over the past four games.

Bank shot by Ianniello! Sea Dogs take the lead late 3-2! pic.twitter.com/XYsP3PvQH3

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) February 24, 2023

NOTES: Saint John once again dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen... forward/defenseman Danny Akkouche, who has spent almost the entire season on the backend, was listed as a forward for this game... forward Eriks Mateiko left the game in the first period with a lower body injury but returned in the second period... assistant coach Mark Lee was back behind the bench. Lee was the head coach for Newfoundland and Labrador's boys hockey team at the Canada Games... Wildcats goaltender Jacob Steinman was injured on Monday in Halifax. The team recalled Eli James to be Vincent Filion's backup... Filion's last win was Jan. 8... Moncton defenseman Etienne Morin had seven shots... attendance was 3,350.

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs travel to Sydney to face the Cape Breton Eagles on Saturday night at 7 p.m.