RECAP: Sea Dogs Win 4-3

FINAL: Saint John 4, Cape Breton 3

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SYDNEY, NS – Following a wild 8-5 loss in Halifax on Friday, the Saint John Sea Dogs bounced back with a 4-3 road victory over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles on Saturday night.

The first period got off to a great start for Saint John as they carried most of the play. After the Sea Dogs took a penalty at 5:47, it was Mathieu Joseph scoring shorthanded at 6:05 to open the scoring. Phelix Martineau of the Screaming Eagles then took it upon himself to return the favour by scoring a shorthanded marker of his own to even the game at 1-1 at 18:09. Saint John held a decided shot advantage after the opening period, peppering 14 shots at Alexandre Belanger while surrendering just four.

Sam Povorozniouk would get the lead back for the Sea Dogs at the 7:40 mark of the middle frame by tucking one past Belanger. The Dogs got penalized later in the period at 13:58 for taking too long to complete a line change and Michael Joly ,made them pay by tying the game at 2-2 at 14:27. Saint John retook the lead though when Matthew Highmore sent a nice stretch pass to Adam Marsh who scored a highlight reel goal, going between his legs and flipping one past Belanger and giving the Sea Dogs a 3-2 lead after two.

The final frame got off to a great start for the Sea Dogs. After Povorozniouk’s failed wraparound attempt, Joe Veleno jumped on the loose puck and doubled the Sea Dogs’ lead to 4-2 just 1:45 in. Martineau would tally his second of the game during a 5-on-3 power play chance at 8:25 to get the Eagles back within a goal. The Screaming Eagles went all out by pulling Belanger late but the Sea Dogs were able to weather the storm and hang on for the 4-3 victory.

NOTES

• The Sea Dogs were without Thomas Chabot (world junior camp), Jakub Zboril (world junior camp), Matt Green (upper body), Sam Dove-McFalls (lower body), Julien Tessier (lower body), Jason Bell (injured), Bokondji Imama (suspension) and Alex Lafreniere (healthy).
• Ian Smallwood and Alex Lafreniere were called up from the Saint John Vito’s for this game. After taking warm up, it was determined that Oliver Felixson was able to play, making Lafreniere was a late scratch.
• It was Teddy Bear Toss Night in Sydney.
• Mathieu Joseph scored a shorthanded goal for the fifth time this season, tying him with Anthony Richard (Val-d’Or) for the most in the league.
• Danny Flynn made a couple comments regarding the Imama/Bent incident last night during 96.1 NewSong FM’s broadcast. “Our guy violated a league rule and their guy violated an unwritten rule, ” said Flynn. He also made reference to when Jody Shelley was in the league and what he would have done if something similar happened to Alex Tanguay.
• Alex Bernier recorded his first career QMJHL point on a goal by Sam Povorozniouk.
• Michael Joly recorded his 6th goal in his sixth game with the Screaming Eagles.
• Phelix Martineau, who scored a pair of goals for Cape Breton, is the older brother of Sea Dogs prospect Vincent Martineau.

TURNING POINT

Joe Veleno scoring at 1:45 of the third period gave the Sea Dogs a two-goal cushion in a back and forth game. It also turned out to be a game winner.

SN THREE STARS

Sam Povorozniouk

Phelix Martineau

Joe Veleno

TWEET OF THE GAME

Spelling isn’t important as long as we understand the message.

Just so you know Sea Dogs fans, the Eagles are treating Veleno with the upmost respect.

— Coraidh Ó Cuilinn (@iolaireancb) December 12, 2015

NEXT GAME
The Sea Dogs and Screaming Eagles meet again this Thursday at Harbour Station as the final stretch before the Christmas Break trade periods begins.