RECAP: Dogs Lose 3-1

FINAL: Saint John 1, Quebec 3

QUEBEC CITY – Goals are hard to come by for the Saint John Sea Dogs these days.

The team managed to keep up with the Quebec Remparts for most of Saturday’s game but could not equal them on the scoreboard, falling 3-1 at Colisee Pepsi in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.

Neither team had a spectacular night offensively with shots just 28-27 in favour of the Remparts. Quebec goaltender Francois Brassard made several solid stops to keep the Dogs from scoring. Saint John’s only goal came with one minute left to play in the game.

Saint John has struggled to score on this road trip so far. They lost 5-0 on Thursday in Rimouski and extended their goalless drought to seven periods tonight. Fortunately, Noah Zilbert ended the shutout streak.

Adam Erne had a pair of goals and an assist for Quebec while Nick Sorensen had a goal and two assists. Brassard made 26 saves in the win.

Sebastien Auger made 25 saves in the loss for the Sea Dogs.

FIRST PERIOD

Noah Zilbert had a couple of good chances in front early in the period but sent both of them wide.

The Remparts opened the scoring on their first shot of the game. Adam Erne charged down the wing and cut in front. The American forward then got the puck past Sebastien Auger to make it 1-0 Quebec at 7:07.

The Remparts went to the power play at 9:18 as Spencer Smallman went off for slashing. Then at 10:59, Auger was called for high sticking to extend Quebec’s man advantage time. Quebec had some pressure on but no great chances.

Zach Moody was called for interference at 14:34 but Saint John could not generate any quality chances during the span.

Late in the period, Lukas Walter had a rare scoring opportunity but was denied by Francois Brassard. The Remparts also had a couple of good opportunities just before the buzzer sounded.

Shots in the first were 9-7 Remparts.

SECOND PERIOD

Just 10 seconds into the period, Erne netted his second of the game on a deke to make it 2-0 Quebec.

The Remparts then went to the power play at 1:13 but it would be the Sea Dogs getting the better of the scoring chances. Nicolas Hebert was robbed twice in front by Brassard early on. Then, Jason Cameron’s breakaway attempt was stopped as well.

Back at even strength, Hebert had another great chance but was denied by Brassard’s glove.

The Dogs went to the man advantage at 8:35 but could not generate any solid chances.

Some rough stuff at 12:01 between Walter and Kurt Etchegary resulted in some four-on-four play. During the span, Anthony Duclair cranked a shot off the post.

Saint John had another power play at 14:28 after Duclair hit Mathieu Joseph. Once again though, the Dogs couldn’t connect.

Shots were 13-10 on favour of the Sea Dogs in the second stanza.

THIRD PERIOD

Auger made a great save on Nick Sorensen early on in the frame, keeping the Sea Dogs in this one.

But at 8:11, Sorensen beat Auger with a shot from the bottom of the circle to give Quebec a commanding 3-0 advantage.

Quebec then went to another power play at 9:11 but, despite some good pressure, could not add to their lead.

Saint John went to the man advantage again at 16:01 but, once again, couldn’t deliver.

At the 19:00 mark, Zilbert got Saint John on the board as he beat Brassard five-hole to make it 3-1. The Dogs would pull Auger but would get no closer.

Shots were 9-7 Quebec in the third and 28-27 overall.

Saint John went 0-for-4 on the power play while Quebec went 0-for-5.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs wrap up their road trip in Blainville-Boisbriand tomorrow.