RECAP: The Wall Of Auger. Dogs Win 3-1.

By Tim Lumsden

SN Staff

FINAL: Gatineau 1, Saint John 3

SAINT JOHN – Black was the new white on Saturday night at Harbour Station as the Saint John Sea Dogs took the ice against the Gatineau Olympiques. The Dogs wore their 3rd Jersey for the first time since the unveiling.

Sebastien Auger guarded the net for Saint John while Michael Nishi stepped into net for the Olympiques.

FIRST PERIOD

Sea Dog turned Olympique, Gabriel Bourret, pulled the first penalty of the evening at the 2:30 mark, with a tripping call.

While on the power play, Oliver Cooper took a hard and unexpected hit into the boards from Mickael Beauregard. This would send Beauregard off the ice on a checking from behind penalty for two minutes at 4:20. Cooper wasn’t going to let that one go however and after a brief scuffle, both he and Beauregard were rewarded with two minutes for roughing.

Benjamin Hade found himself in the box at 11:03 after being called for interference but the Olympiques could not produce a goal on their power play.

The Olympiques soon found themselves trying to kill off another penalty as Gabriel Bourret was sent off again, this time for boarding.

With less than ten seconds remaining, Jonathan Huberdeau and Ryan Tesink rushed Nishi but could not break through.

The period would remain scoreless as the teams headed to the dressing rooms.

The Olympiques outshot Saint John 11-9.

SECOND PERIOD

Both teams remained strong as the second period got underway. This time Saint John would find themselves with the first penalty of the second as Devon Oliver-Dares was sent to the box for cross-checking only 1:37 into the period.

Gatineau’s Rock Regimbald would draw the next penalty, over halfway through the period at 10:29. He was sent off for slashing.

Saint John would capitalize on the power play as Olivier Leblanc and Benjamin Hade delivered the puck to Gatineau’s end. Tesink found himself in the perfect spot to deliver it home and putting the Dogs on the board 1-0.

At 13:56, Jakub Izacky was sent to the box on a holding call. Soon after at 17:41, Gatineau found themselves killing off another penalty as Samuel Courtemanche was sent off for a high stick.

The period ended with the Dogs leading 1-0 despite being outshot 7-11.

THIRD PERIOD

Saint John extended their lead at 4:11 as Jonathan Huberdeau, assisted by Aidan Kelly and Jurij Repe, slipped one passed Nishi.

Ryan Kelly was sent off at 7:20 for roughing; followed by Olympiques defenseman Mikael Langlois at 10:27 for hooking. Neither team however was able to score during their respective power play.

Concern filled the stands at Harbour Station as Olivier Leblanc was sent to the box for a holding penalty at 13:15 and Jonathan Huberdeau, for slashing, just 30 seconds later. In a flurry of spinning blocks and saves, Sebastien Auger earned himself a standing ovation from the 4,009 fans in attendance. With only seconds remaining in the penalty kill however, Tomas Hyka was finally able to break through. Assisted by Martin Reway and Adam Chapman, Hyka took advantage of Auger’s prone position and put Gatineau on the board with a score of 2-1.

In what may have been the turning point for Gatineau, Martin Reway received a four minute penalty for high sticking, once again sending Saint John to the power play at 16:19. At 17:55, the Olympiques were called for too many men on the ice.

As if trying to make up for earlier in the night, Jonathan Huberdeau and Ryan Tesink again rushed the net, this time empty, with Tesink scoring the third and final point of the night at 1:11 left of the period.

Total shots on goal were 24-35 in favour of Gatineau.

Final score of the night was 3-1, giving the Saint John Sea Dogs their third straight win.

Jason Seed was named Dickie’s Hardest Working Player.

3rd Star went to Benjamin Hade

2nd Star went to Ryan Tesink

1st Star went to Sebastien Auger who blocked 34 of 35 shots.

MISSING IN ACTION: Forwards Mackenzie Brown (knee), Spencer Smallman (shoulder), Matthew Highmore (shoulder), and Stephen MacAulay (AHL Camp) along with defensemen Pierre Durepos (hip), David Weckworth (knees), and Kevin Gagne (AHL Camp) did not play for Saint John.

NOTES: Benjamin Hade and Jurij Repe each recorded their first QMJHL points… Olivier Leblanc had two assists… Jonathan Huberdeau had six shots… Aidan Kelly had three hits.

HIGHLIGHTS: Courtesy of SeaDogsTV.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs battle the Moncton Wildcats this afternoon at 4pm.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation