Recap: Sea Dogs lose 3-1

FINAL: Saint John 1, Moncton 3

MONCTON - The Saint John Sea Dogs couldn't generate enough offense on Wednesday night.

The Sea Dogs struggled to create a ton of quality scoring chances throughout the game. When they were able to create good opportunities, goaltender Dakota Lund-Cornish shut the door, leading the Moncton Wildcats to a 3-1 win at Avenir Centre.

Saint John outshot Moncton 36-28 and had a good share of puck possession but, like a lot of games this season, just didn't look quite right. This is a team that is still struggling to find its stride - even after a what seemed like a promising win on Saturday over the Cape Breton Eagles.

Dawson Stairs scored Saint John's lone goal, a power play marker in the third period. Noah Patenaude made his third straight start and made 25 stops in the loss.

The loss dropped the Sea Dogs to 2-4-2-1 on the season, placing them last in the Maritimes Division. They remain winless on the road.

Moncton, who have now won three straight, had goals from Gabriel Fortier, Jacob Stewart and Francois Langlois. Lund-Cornish made 35 stops in the win.

Game Day 9: at Moncton

MONCTON - The Saint John Sea Dogs and Moncton Wildcats meet for the first time this season tonight at Avenir Centre.

Tonight's match replaces the postponed October game between these two, which got pushed when the Moncton region was placed into the COVID orange phase. The Sea Dogs and Wildcats will get to know each other quite well over the next couple weeks, meeting four times between now and Nov. 13.

Game time tonight is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/93 CFBC/QMJHL Live

Records: The Sea Dogs are 2-3-2-1 for seven points (fifth Maritimes, ninth QMJHL) while the Wildcats are 3-4-0-0 for six points (sixth Maritimes, 13th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-3 win over the Cape Breton Eagles on Saturday at TD Station. Nicholas Girouard scored twice while singles came from Joshua Roy, Peter Reynolds and Riley Bezeau. Noah Patenaude made 29 saves in the win. The Wildcats are coming off a wild 7-6 overtime win in Bathurst on Friday. Jordan Spence recorded a hat trick; Francois Langlois had two goals; and singles came from Connor Olson and Jacob Hudson. Nicholas Sheehan made 24 stops in the win.

2020-21 head-to-head: This is the first meeting of the season between the two.

2019-20 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 3-5-0-0 against the Wildcats last season while Moncton went 5-3-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: These two met in pre-season play on Sept. 25 at TD Station where the Wildcats defeated the Sea Dogs 3-2 in overtime. Dominic Leblanc scored twice for Moncton while Jacob Hudson netted the overtime winner. Jeremie Poirier and Brady Burns scored for Saint John. Dakota Lund-Cornish made 21 saves in the win. Creed Jones made 36 stops in the loss.

The MHL season is underway

There will be plenty of familiar faces skating in the Maritime Hockey League this season.

Several Saint John Sea Dogs alumni, draft picks and past training camp attendees will be playing in the league, which kicked off its shortened 2020-21 season this past weekend.

Highlighting the list are a number of 2017 Sea Dogs draft picks, including Aiden MacIntosh (Amherst), Brendan Sibley (Edmundston), Jeremie Jacob (Miramichi), Luke Wilson (Valley), Josh MacDonald (Summerside) and Daniel Surette (Yarmouth). Of the 15 players Saint John selected in 2017, none are currently playing with the Sea Dogs.

A few other notable Sea Dogs alumni playing in the MHL include Patrick Musico (Fredericton), Jordan Spadafore (Miramichi), Carson Gallant (Truro) and Luke Wilson (Valley).

Here's a breakdown of all the MHL players who have Sea Dogs connections (if we missed someone, drop us a comment).

Amherst: Aiden MacIntosh (alumni)

Campbellton: Sam Dow (acquired via trade; not listed on Campbellton's active roster)

Edmundston: Brendan Sibley (alumni), Antoine Lyonnais (signee)

Fredericton: Zach Alchorn (signee) Connor McCluskey (2019 training camp attendee and brother of Sea Dogs draft pick Carter McCluskey), Justin Lush (2017 training camp attendee), Patrick Musico (alumni), Logan Carruthers (brother of Sea Dogs forward Leighton Carruthers)

Grand Falls: Carter McCluskey (2019 draft pick), Isaac Dixon (2020 training camp attendee)

Miramichi: Jeremie Jacob (alumni), Jordan Spadafore (alumni), Daniel Moody (2020 training camp attendee)

Notebook: Gilbert on changing Dogs' ways

Greg Gilbert is trying to get his club to play at a higher pace.

In an interview with Rogers TV's Craig Eagles, the Saint John Sea Dogs head coach explained what style of play he's trying to get his team to move towards.

“We are implementing a style that we are moving all the time,” Gilbert told Eagles.

“Playing at a slower pace or pacing themselves having a minute-long shift and stuff like that is exactly the opposite of how I want us to play.

“We want 35 to 40 second shifts of high tempo and high energy where they are always moving and staying fresher for longer rather than playing at a slower pace.”

The Sea Dogs earned their first win in regulation-time on Saturday, improving their record to 2-3-2-1. The team has had more rough stretches than good, but Gilbert said he's seen glimpses of the style he's looking for.

Gilbert had a lot to say in the interview, which also touched on the team's scoring woes, defensive play and the leadership group.

GILBERT NOT PLEASED

Greg Gilbert didn't hide his feelings about his team's performance this season in an interview with Patrick McNeil that aired on Saturday's Cape Breton Eagles radio pre-game show.

Gilbert called out his team which, at the time, was coming off another disappointing overtime loss.

SJ coach Greg Gilbert NOT mincing words in pre-game show about his team.

"We have skill guys who are supposed to be goal scorers, you look down the line and see 0, 1 goals, because they think it's a fancy game. Won't shoot the puck, go to tough areas, and it's costing us games."

— Patrick McNeil (@cbepbp) October 31, 2020

"Trying to change the culture, some days it's like pulling teeth. Because they've able to do what they've been able to do last two years, it's hard habits to break."- GG

Similar to last night Trevor Georgie spoke about installing "vicious accountability" in SJ dressing room.

— Patrick McNeil (@cbepbp) October 31, 2020

Gilbert seemed much happier with his club following Saturday's game - a pretty solid 5-3 win over the Eagles.

"You go into the dressing room after and you ask them how they feel, and they're all tired, and they're bumped up and bruised, and I say that's what it takes to win," the coach told the Telegraph-Journal (paywall).

Recap: Sea Dogs win 5-3

FINAL: Cape Breton 3, Saint John 5

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs delivered a treat on Saturday, ending a four-game losing streak by beating the Cape Breton Eagles 5-3 at TD Station.

The Sea Dogs had a strong first period, grabbing a 3-1 advantage, and were able to maintain a lead throughout the game, something the team has struggled mightily with all season long.

Nicholas Girouard, playing on the fourth line, had one of his best games as a Sea Dog, scoring twice and recording seven shots. Joshua Roy, Peter Reynolds and Riley Bezeau also scored. Noah Patenaude, playing for a second straight game, made 29 saves in the win.

This was Saint John's best 60-minute performance of the season, something that was much needed after a rough start to the year. This was Saint John's first regulation time win this season.

While no games have been easy for the Sea Dogs, they're entering an "easy" stretch, playing the Moncton Wildcats four times and Halifax Mooseheads twice over the next six games. Hopefully the team can carry the positive momentum gained from this win into the coming week and earn some more dubs.

Cape Breton goals came from Nathan Larose, Felix Lafrance and Shawn Element. Nicolas Ruccia made 44 stops in the loss.

The Sea Dogs and Halloween

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - For the fifth time in team history, the Saint John Sea Dogs will play on Halloween.

The Sea Dogs are 2-2-0 all-time on Oct. 31 with three of those four games having taken place on home ice. It's also the second straight year that the team will play on Halloween.

Here's a quick look at past results.

2010-11: 7-0 win at Rouyn-Noranda

Michael Kirkpatrick and Stanislav Galiev each scored twice while Mike Thomas added a goal and two assists in the road win. Frederic Piche, who is still playing senior hockey in Quebec, made 28 saves in the shutout win.

2012-13: 2-1 loss vs Blainville-Boisbriand

Ryan Tesink scored Saint John's only goal while Aidan Kelly was named third star. Jonathan Huberdeau was still with the Sea Dogs at the time due to the NHL lockout.

2015-16: 5-3 win vs Val-d'Or

Matthew Highmore and Daniel Del Paggio each had a goal and an assist. Nathan Noel added two helpers. Marc-Antoine Turcotte made 29 saves in the win.

2019-20: 6-1 loss vs Rimouski

Jonna Lehmus scored Saint John's only goal a year ago. Rimouski's big line of Cedric Pare (three goals and three assists), Alexis Lafreniere (four assists) and Dmitry Zavgorodniy (one goal and four assists) lit up Saint John.

The Sea Dogs will look to end a four-game losing streak this afternoon against the Cape Breton Eagles at TD Station. Creed Jones (0-3, 5.11 GAA and .827 SV%) will likely get the start.

Note today's 3 p.m. start time.