Recap: Sea Dogs lose 3-2

FINAL: Saint John 2, Moncton 3

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - Despite a strong performance against one of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League's top teams, it wasn't enough on Sunday at TD Station.

The Saint John Sea Dogs' third period woes continued, allowing two goals in the final frame in a 3-2 loss to the Moncton Wildcats. Saint John's recent losses have all seen the team struggle in third periods.

The Sea Dogs – who were missing five regulars from their lineup due to injuries – led 2-1 after two periods. Markus Vidicek tied the game at 11:29 of the third and then Gabe Smith redirected a Yoan Loshing pass at 17:00 to give Moncton a 3-2 advantage.

Juraj Pekarcik scored Moncton's other goal. 19-year-old Rudy Guimond made 37 stops to earn his first QMJHL win in his first start.

Zachary Morin scored both of Saint John's goals. Justin Robinson made 36 stops in the loss.

The Sea Dogs, especially given that they were missing some key players, deserved at least a point in this game – but it wasn't meant to be. Saint John continues to give Moncton troubles this season.

Saint John is now two games below .500 (14-16-0-0) with two games remaining before the holiday break.

LINEUP

Rozzi - Dubé - Beveridge

Morin - Groulx - Yared

Reynolds - Miller - Cross

Calder - Schenk - Beaulieu

Tivey - Amyot

Bilodeau - Scanzano

Bonnet - Caputo

Robinson

Gravel

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without forwards Eriks Mateiko (injury) and Tyler Peddle (injury) along with defensemen Matteo Mann (injury), Olivier Duhamel (injury) and Matthew MacLean (injury).

NOTES: Matto Mann joined the injured list after getting hurt during Friday's game in Cape Breton... the Sea Dogs were forced to dress three rookie defensemen for this game due to injuries. Cruz Scanzano returned to the lineup while affiliate Julien Bonnet played a second straight game... Detroit Red Wings prospect Rudy Guimond, a Yale University commit, made his QMHL debut with the Wildcats... Zachary Morin scored on Guimond nearly one year ago to the day in a USHL game... shots were 2-0 Saint John at the first TV timeout in the first period. Shots ended 16-11 in favour of the Wildcats... Guimond took a penalty in the third period for playing the puck outside the trapezoid area... Justin Robinson was run into by Gabe Smith in the third period but remained in the game... Morin and Jacob Beaulieu each had five shots... Beaulieu wore an 'A' on his jersey... this was Morin's first multi-goal game in the QMJHL... the loss ended a three-game home winning streak for Saint John... announced attendance was 2,928.

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs host the Cape Breton Eagles on Friday at 7 p.m.