GAME DAY 8: vs Cataractes

A preview of tonight’s game between the Shawinigan Cataractes and Saint John Sea Dogs…

When and where: Tonight at 7 p.m., Harbour Station

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Records: The Cataractes are first in the East Division and second overall in the QMJHL with a record of 6-1-0-0 for 12 points. The Sea Dogs are fourth in the Maritimes Division and 10^th overall with a record of 4-3-0-0 for eight points.

Last games: The Cataractes are coming off a 3-2 win in Bathurst last night. Gabriel Slight, Giovanni Fiore and Samuel Guilbault all scored for Shawinigan while Antoine Samuel made 35 saves in the win. The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-3 shootout victory over the Gatineau Olympiques last night at Harbour Station. Saint John goals came from Daniel Del Paggio, Bokondji Imama and Luke Green. Marc-Antoine Turcotte made 37 saves in the win.

2014-15 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs went 1-1-0-0 against the Cataractes last season while Shawinigan went 1-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Jan. 29 in Shawinigan where the Cataractes defeated the Sea Dogs 7-1. Christophe Lalonde and Alex Pawelczyk each scored two goals while singles came from Giovanni Fiore, Brandon Gignac and Anthony Beauvillier. Saint John’s lone goal came from Mathieu Joseph. Alex Bishop allowed seven goals on 42 shots in the loss while Marvin Cupper made 21 in the win.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Cataractes: None

Random stat/fact: Including their semi-final victory at the 2012 Memorial Cup, the Cataractes have won seven of the past eight meetings between the two teams, including every game played in Quebec. Saint John’s only win came at Harbour Station last November.

SHA notes: Brandon Gignac leads the Cataractes in scoring with four goals and seven assists for 11 points… Gabriel Slight leads the team in goals with five… four different players have four or more goals through seven games played… Samuel Girard’s nine assists are a team high… Shawinigan has allowed the fewest goals against in the league, 16, this season… Girard’s nine assists place him fourth in the league. Six of them have come of the power play, which is a league high… Antoine Samuel’s 1.75 GAA and .938 SV% are tops in the QMJHL… 3-0-0-0 on the road this season… 5-0-0-0 when scoring first… the Cats have the best power play in the league with a 25% rating… averaging a league high 4.43 goals per game.

SJ notes: Daniel Del Paggio leads the Sea Dogs in scoring with four goals and four assists for eight points… Del Paggio’s four goals are a team high… Del Paggio, Sam Povorozniouk and Joe Veleno each have four assists to lead the team… Marc-Antoine Turcotte’s 2.54 GAA is third best in the league and his .931 SV% is second best… Turcotte continues to lead the league in saves… 2-1-0-0 on home ice this season… 4-1-0-0 when scoring first… Saint John’s 87.1% penalty kill rating is fourth best in the league… averaging 2.82 goals against per game, which is fourth best in the Q.

Out of town:

Halifax at Blainville-Boisbriand - 7:00 PM EDT
Chicoutimi at Rouyn-Noranda - 7:00 PM EDT

Next game: The Sea Dogs travel to Charlottetown on Friday to face the Islanders.