RECAP: Sea Dogs Win 4-3

FINAL: Bathurst 3, Saint John 4

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs extended their lead atop the Maritimes Division with a 4-3 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Thursday night at Harbour Station.

The first period started off with two quick penalties to both sides with Jakub Zboril going off just 28 seconds in and Garrett Johnston taking his two minutes at the 2:09 mark. Neither team would score on the early power plays but the Sea Dogs would cash in on a man advantage later in the period. Thomas Chabot sent a seeing eye wrist shot go from the point, beating Rielly Pickard at 13:57. The Titan would equal the score with just 1:03 left in the first period when Jeffrey Truchon-Viel was able to just get one past Marc-Antoine Turcotte.

The Titan struck again early in the second period when Antoine Morand tipped a cross crease pass through the legs of Turcotte to give the Titan a 2-1 lead at 1:17. The Titan would retain that lead until the 5:49 mark when Spencer Smallman wristed one past Pickard to knot things at 2-2.

Just 55 seconds into the final period, Vladimir Kuznetsov scored a breakaway goal by beating Turcotte through the wickets to make it 3-2 Bathurst. It didn’t take the Sea Dogs long to reply with Matt Murphy scoring at 2:22 from a terrible angle - Pickard would undoubtedly like that one back. Luke Green then displayed some excellent puck skills by killing time in the Titan zone until his mates completed a change. He the found a streaking Sam Povorozniouk who slid one five hole on Pickard to give the Sea Dogs a 4-3 lead. That would be all Saint John would need as they were able to secure their third straight victory and extend their lead over the idle Moncton Wildcats.

NOTES

• Scratches for the Sea Dogs were Bailey Webster (injured), Nicholas Blachman (healthy), Kyle Ward (healthy) and Gabriel Bettez (healthy).
• Nathan Noel and Adam Marsh both returned to the lineup.
• The only player injured for the Sea Dogs (knock on wood) is Bailey Webster who skated in practice with the yellow (no contact) jersey.
• Spencer Smallman was honoured before the game with student and player of the month awards.
• Mathieu Joseph’s seven game home goal scoring streak came to an end.
• The Sea Dogs connected with posts and crossbars four times. Crossbars picked up the win, 3-1.
• The Sea Dogs are now tied for second overall with a game in hand on Shawinigan.
• Matthew Highmore is now in sole possession of 10th in all time scoring for the Sea Dogs with 146 points, passing Danick Gauthier.
• Attendance was 2,922.

TURNING POINT

On the game-winning goal, Luke Green protected the puck long enough for the Sea Dogs to complete a line change and catch a streaking Sam Povorozniuk. The overage forward then went forehand/backhand, sliding the puck between the pads of Reilly Pickard.

SN THREE STARS

Spencer Smallman

Antoine Morand

Mathieu Joseph

NEXT GAME

Next up for the Sea Dogs are the Drummondville Voltigeurs at Harbour Station on Thursday night. Game time is set for 7 p.m.