Sea Dogs Clicking In Second Half

For much of the first half, we all wondered if the Sea Dogs would ever string together a lengthy winning streak, produce consistently on the power play or even be able to score enough goals to win games. So far in the second half, Saint John has been solid in all of those areas.

Unofficially, the second half began on Dec. 28 when the Sea Dogs fell in overtime to Bathurst. Saint John has won seven straight games since then. The team’s power play, which was dreadful for much of the first half, has been clicking of late. And as we’ve seen recently, the Dogs, even without a “game breaking” type offensive forward, are certainly able to produce offensively.

Here’s a look at Saint John’s second half so far: 

Game	Result	Shots	DS*	PP
Dec. 28 vs Bathurst	6-5 OT L	30	16	1/3
Dec. 29 at Bathurst	6-5 SO W	48	20	3/6
Dec. 31 vs Charlottetown	3-2 W	29	13	1/4
Jan. 3 at Cape Breton	3-1 W	22	12	0/4
Jan. 9 at Bathurst	5-2 W	35	9	0/4
Jan. 10 vs Rimouski	5-4 W	32	16	4/6
Jan. 15 vs Charlottetown	8-7 OT W	58	36	2/8
Jan. 16 vs Halifax	5-2 W	41	20	1/3
Totals (7-0-1 record)	40-29	295	142	12/38

The Sea Dogs have averaged five goals and nearly 37 shots per game over the past eight games. Saint John's power play has been operating at 31.6%, which is far better than their season average of 19.3%.

With Samuel Dove-McFalls, Bokondji Imama and Bailey Webster still to return at various points in the coming weeks, there are certainly reasons to be optimistic moving forward.

*DS = dangerous shots, as determined by the QMJHL

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation