RECAP: Five Alive. Dogs Win 6-3.

FINAL: Blainville-Boisbriand 3, Saint John 6

SAINT JOHN – The Blainville-Boisbriand Armada hung around but weren’t able to contain the Saint John Sea Dogs on Sunday afternoon in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at Harbour Station.

The Armada stayed within one of the Sea Dogs until Danick Gauthier scored twice late in third period to give Saint John a 6-3 victory. It was the Sea Dogs’ fifth straight win and pushed them back into first-place in the QMJHL standings.

Along with Gauthier’s two goals, Ian Saab, Zack Phillips, Tomas Jurco and Jonathan Huberdeau also scored for the winners. Jurco, Charlie Coyle and Charles Roussel each added two assists. Mathieu Corbeil made 33 saves to pick up his 28^th win of the season, a new team record.

The Sea Dogs’ power play was clicking on Sunday afternoon, scoring on all three of their attempts.

Cedric Paquette scored twice for the Armada while Jean-Christophe Laflamme added a solo marker. Storm Phaneuf and his awesome name allowed five goals on 38 shots. Saint John’s sixth goal was an empty netter.

The Armada led twice in this game and were within one entering the third period but were not able to make a comeback.

FIRST PERIOD

Nothing happened in the first half of the first period.

Things started to heat up around the 11:30 mark as a dump in hit the glass behind Mathieu Corbeil and landed in the crease area. Corbeil made some quick work and got it away from danger.

Ian Saab headed to the box at the 13-minute mark. On the power play, the Armada took the lead. Cedric Paquette was able to jam the puck past the pad of Corbeil to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

The game started to open a bit after the goal. After Corbeil denied the Armada on a two-on-one scoring opportunity, Tomas Jurco cut through the crease at the other end but couldn’t get a great shot off.

Saint John tied things up at 17:22. Charlie Coyle skated behind the Armada goal and then sent a perfect pass to Ian Saab who was creeping in from the line. Saab fired a low shot past Blainville-Boisbriand goaltender Storm Phaneuf to make it a 1-1 game.

The Dogs headed to the man advantage at 19:02 after Danick Gauthier was tripped up. On the ensuing power play, Jonathan Huberdeau fed Zack Phillips with a great pass at 19:36. Phillips had an open net to give Saint John a 2-1 lead.

Shots after one period were 13-12 in favour of the Armada.

SECOND PERIOD

Early in the first, Stephen MacAulay was in front of the goal but couldn’t get a shot off.

The Armada went to the power play at 2:32 as Saab headed off again. A pass from the point found Paquette at the side of the goal at 3:15. He fired a shot off the glove of Corbeil and in to tie it at 2-2.

Saint John had quite a few chances following the tying goal but couldn’t beat Phaneuf. Phillips was in the slot with an open cage but couldn’t score. Then, Coyle was robbed at the side of the net. A few moments later, Ryan Tesink nailed the post which was followed by Phaneuf making a huge glove save on Beaulieu.

The Armada pulled ahead 3-2 at 14:18. Jean-Christophe Laflamme went in on a breakaway and slipped the puck five-hole on Corbeil.

Saint John went to the power play again at 14:59. On the man advantage, a cross crease pass found Tomas Jurco at the other side of the net. He slipped it in at 16:52 to tie it at 3-3.

The Sea Dogs regained the lead at 18:47. Roussel fed Huberdeau at the side of the cage who put the puck through the legs of Phaneuf to make it 4-3 Saint John.

Ryan Tesink picked up a slashing penalty at the end of the period. Shots were 14-12 Armada in the middle frame.

THIRD PERIOD

The Sea Dogs were able to kill off the Tesink penalty to start the third period. Back at even strength, Coyle had a great chance in front but was stopped. Then at the other end, Olivier Hinse had a breakaway but was denied by Corbeil.

The Armada had another power play at 9:06 as Oliver Cooper headed off. They had some good pressure on but could not score.

A little later on, Jurco blasted the puck off the crossbar. It looked like it may have snuck in under the bar but was reviewed later on and it remained a no goal. Jurco’s shot came during a long stretch without a whistle.

The Dogs headed back to the power play at 16:38. During that time span, Phillips had a great chance as he walked in front but was stopped. Then at 17:48, Jurco was behind the goal line and sent it in front to Gauthier. He fired five-hole to give the Dogs a 5-3 lead.

Gauthier iced the game at 18:09 as he scored into the empty Armada goal to make it a 6-3 final.

Shots in the third period were 15-9 in favour of Saint John.

The Sea Dogs went a perfect 3-for-3 on the power play while the Armada went 2-for-4.

NOTES: See Sea Dogs Postscript tomorrow on SN.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs travel to Drummondville to face the Voltigeurs on Friday at 8pm.


Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation