THESE GUYS ARE GOOD

STATION NATION POST-GAME
Rimouski – The Saint John Sea Dogs has done it. They have set a new franchise record for consecutive wins with eight after a dominating 6-1 win in Rimouski on Sunday afternoon. The Sea Dogs were also playing their third straight game on the road in four days.

The Sea Dogs came into the game with a 15-4-1-0 record and sat first in the Atlantic division, first in the QMJHL, and were ranked seventh in Canada. All of those categories were improved at the Colisee de Rimouski Sunday.

Saint John’s top line of Mike Hoffman, Nicholas Petersen, and Stanislav Galiev were one, two, and three in the three star selections.

The Oceanic opened a wild first period with a goal from Patrick Delisle-Houde. Emmanuel Boudreau’s point shot was deflected by Delisle-Houde at 6:40 and went by the left post of the Sea Dogs net. The goal came after Saint John took a penalty for too many men and was served by Mike Thomas.

Rookie goaltender Philippe Tremblay put on a short clinic stopping Mike Hoffman twice. The 17 year old robbed Jonathan Huberdeau on the doorstep and then stopped a Nicholas Pard's wrist shot.

Vancouver Canucks prospect Steven Anthony tied the game 1-1 at 13:20. Tomas Jurco made the play possible after he was being checked hard by a Rimouski defenseman. Jurco slammed on the breaks and fed a beautiful pass to a streaking Anthony who scored his 11th goal of the season.

Less than two minutes later Simon Despres blasted his fourth of the season from the point to give Saint John the lead. The goal, assisted by Hoffman and Michael Kirkpatrick, came on the power play.

New Brunswick native Patrice Cormier nailed Nicholas Petersen into Tremblay. Tremblay laid on the ice for a few seconds after the hit. On the ensuing rush Stanislav Galiev gave a nice pass to Petersen who scored to make it 3-1 Saint John. Rimouski head coach Yannick Dumais was furious after the goal that no penalty was called on Petersen.

At 18:57 Yann Sauve took a penalty after nailing Alex Emond. Emond lay on the ice for several minutes before he was helped off.

After 20 minutes Saint John led Rimouski in shots 14-10.

Just 1:42 in the second period Nicholas Petersen scored his second goal of the game to make it 4-1 Sea Dogs. The overage right winger snapped a shot at a bad angle to beat Tremblay on the power play.

A few minutes later Stephen MacAulay was hauled down on a partial breakaway but no penalty shot was called. Casey Babineau took a tripping penalty on the play and Saint John made the Oceanic pay again. From inside the blue line Mike Hoffman made no mistake as he scored just inside the right post. The goal at 8:26 was Saint John’s second power play goal in four chances.

Zach Phillips tried to copy his goal from Friday night in Baie-Comeau but was denied by Tremblay. The Fredericton native made a forehand to backhand move but could not score. Near the end of the period Alex Emond made everyone know he was okay by nailing Sea Dogs captain Mike Thomas.

Saint John outshot the Oceanic in the second period 10-6 and took a 5-1 lead into the third period.

Simon Despres had a good chance as he split through the middle but was stopped by Tremblay. At 7:15 Patrice Cormier slashed rookie Stanislav Galiev in the back of the leg and caused a crowd. The slash gave Cormier, along with Petersen, a penalty with the Rimouski center picking up an extra minor. Sea Dogs athletic therapist Jeff Kelly came out to visit Galiev and would be okay.

On the power play Yann Sauve hit the left post on a great opportunity. Then at 8:38 Simon Despres netted his second of the game from a sharp angle that went off the Rimouski goaltenders glove and in to make it 6-1 Sea Dogs. The two goal game was Despres’ first in his three year QMJHL career.

If you wondering, Saint John did have a goaltender playing in this Sunday afternoon game. Marc-Antoine Gelinas got a snow job from Emmanual Boudreau late in the game that caused a large crowd. Gelinas came to the defense of Slovakian rookie Tomas Jurco after he got messed up with Patrick Houde.

That would be all the entertainment in the third period as the Sea Dogs outshot the Oceanic 31-23 through three periods.

The Sea Dogs improve to 16-4-1-0 on the season and sweep their Quebec road trip for only the second time in franchise history. Gelinas got the win and improved to an impressive 11-3-0 on the season. Philippe Tremblay took the loss and fell to 4-5-0.

NOTES: The attendance was 3,156… Saint John has now won eight straight games which is a new franchise record… scratches for the Sea Dogs were Gabriel Bourret and Danick Gauthier. Director of Hockey Operations and Associate Coach Mike Kelly said that it is becoming harder every game to scratch players who are not injured… the Dogs top line has struggled of late but bounced back today. Hoffman, Petersen, and Galiev combined for three goals and five assists for eight points… Michael Kirkpatrick had three assists after being the hero on Friday night in Baie-Comeau… the game got chippy as it went on and was capped off by Cormier’s slash on Galiev in frustration… the power play has struggled this season but certainly got better toady going 3/8. Rimouski went 1/6… this game ends a three game, five day road trip for Saint John. The Dogs have the best road record in the QMJHL… November got off to good start Sunday. Saint John plays seven of their ten games at Harbour Station during the month... Simon Despres, with two goals and three shots, was named the News 88.9 Top Dog.

NEXT GAME: Halifax Mooseheads vs Saint John Sea Dogs. Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Harbour Station. It’s Wednesday which means it’s "V-alue Day” with upper bowl tickets only $5.00.