RECAP: Heartbreaker. Dogs Lose 2-1.

FINAL: Saint John 1, Charlottetown 2

CHARLOTTETOWN – What a heartbreaker for the Saint John Sea Dogs on Friday night.

The Sea Dogs were producing a fairly solid road performance and were clinging to a 1-0 lead for much of the game. But the Charlottetown Islanders scored two goals in the final seven minutes – including the game-winner with less than two minutes to go – to defeat Saint John 2-1 at Eastlink Centre.

The win ends Charlottetown’s nine-game losing streak. Saint John has now lost five straight overall and 11 straight on the road.

The Sea Dogs were outshot in the first period 12-9 but had a lot of possession time. Oliver Cooper opened the scoring at 3:33, sweeping the puck in to give Saint John a 1-0 lead after one.

It was a back-and-forth second period with the Islanders outshooting the Dogs 15-14. Neither team could get a whole lot going on the power play.

In the third, Alexis Pepin tied the game up at 13:52 as he beat Sebastien Aguer five-hole.

Matthew Highmore took a high-sticking penalty at 15:31 and then Jeremy Doucet joined him at the box at 16:38 for high-sticking as well. With three seconds left in Doucet’s penalty, Charlottetown captain Jack Nevins scored to give the Isles a late 2-1 advantage.

Despite pulling Auger, Saint John could not score an equalizer. Shots in the third were 20-3 in favour of the Islanders and 47-26 overall.

It was another excellent goaltending performance from Auger who made 45 saves in the loss. Eric Brassard made 25 stops for the win.

Saint John went 0-for-3 on the power play while Charlottetown went 1-for-6.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs are scheduled to play on Sunday afternoon in Moncton at 4pm.