What's the deal with Chabot and the Sens?

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Thomas Chabot is, indeed, still with the Ottawa Senators.

It certainly doesn't seem like he's there, with the Sens dressing Chabot for just one of the team's eight games. Chabot's only game time this season came on Oct. 18 against Arizona, playing just 7:09.

While it seems inevitable that Chabot will be sent back to the Saint John Sea Dogs at some point, TSN's Bob McKenzie explains that it is still not a sure thing:

The Sens view Chabot as their seventh-best defenceman and have been keeping him around for a couple of reasons. One, because, for now anyway, he is benefitting from practising and training with NHLers. Two, because if one of their top six defencemen were to get injured or struggle, he's the organization's next best option.  

But the Sens also know the longer he goes without seeing game action, it can be a liability to his development. So Sens' management is likely to be more finely tuned to that situation in the next week or two, with the thought being he may ultimately end up back in junior.

More at TSN.ca.

Ottawa plays three home games against bad teams (Carolina, Vancouver and Buffalo) this week, so Chabot could see some ice time again soon.

If Chabot is to be returned to Saint John, it's still difficult to say when he'll be back. He could be back this week, next week or not until after the World Junior Hockey Championships (which, you have to assume, whether he's in Ottawa or Saint John, Chabot will be playing in).

The good news for the Sea Dogs is that they've been playing fairly well without him. If/when Chabot is returned, it will be like acquiring one of the league's best players for free.

Also good news for Saint John: McKenzie notes that it appears Shawinigan's Anthony Beauvillier will be sticking with the New York Islanders for the season.

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 4-2

FINAL: Saint John 2, Moncton 4

Lorne Webster | SN Staff

MONCTON – The Moncton Wildcats avenged a 10-3 beating on Friday with a hard fought 4-2 win over their bitter provincial rivals, the Saint John Sea Dogs, Sunday afternoon at the Moncton Coliseum - to mark the end of the QMJHL's "Rivalry Week."

Manuel Wiederer had a pair of goals and an assist for Moncton. Adam Capannelli and William Bower added singles for the Wildcats. Nathan Noel and Spencer Smallman replied for the Sea Dogs. Matthew Waite stopped 31 shots to earn the win while Alex Bishop had 15 saves to take the loss.

The notes ...

• The Sea Dogs opened the scoring at 4:16 of the first when Noel banged the rebound of a Smallman shot past a fallen Waite. 
• After prolonged heavy pressure in Moncton's end - the Wildcats got on the board at 8:33 of the first when Wiederer finished off a two-on-one with Capannelli, firing a laser beam over Bishop's shoulder.
• The Sea Dogs regained their lead on a power play at 13:40 as Smallman took a cross ice feed from Mathieu Joseph and fired a wrist shot to the top shelf. 
• With two Sea Dogs in the box - and Oliver Felixson on one leg after having his skate blade broken - Wiederer potted his second of the night at 14:57 of the second period to tie the game 2-2. 
• Capannelli fired a laser past Bishop on a power play at 10:24 of the third to give the Wildcats the lead 3-2. Ironically (or not), the hosts got away with a pair of infractions earlier in that power play - a hook on a Joseph partial breakaway and a high stick on Highmore seconds before the goal. 
• Bower, a Saint John native, potted an empty net marker with 45.3 seconds left to seal the win.
• Rugged Sea Dogs defenceman Chase Stewart suffered a lower body injury in Friday's 10-3 victory over Moncton and was unable to play on Sunday. Vincent Martineau was called up to replace Stewart. 
• Noah Massie - younger brother of former Sea Dogs draft choice and current Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jake Massie - and Capannelli returned to the Wildcats lineup after sitting on Friday's game in Saint John.
• To virtually nobody's surprise, the Ottawa Senators allowed Thomas Chabot to warm up on Friday night in Vancouver - but sent the young defenceman to the press box once again. Chabot has now appeared in only 1 of Ottawa's seven regular season games. 
• For the first time in 12 seasons and after 769 consecutive games, David "DK" Kelly was not behind the Sea Dogs bench for a regular season game. All of us at SN send our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the man that many - especially Sea Dogs alumni - view as the heart and soul of the team. 
• Elsewhere in the QMJHL - Charlottetown throttled Bathurst 9-2 to sweep their home-and-home series this weekend. Reports out of Blainville-Boisbriand indicate that star defenceman Jeremy Roy will be out of the Armada lineup for "an indefinite and prolonged absence."

Game Day 16: at Moncton

The Saint John Sea Dogs (10-4-1-0, 1st Maritimes, 3rd QMJHL) are on the road this afternoon to take on the Moncton Wildcats (4-10-0-0, 6th Maritimes, 17th QMJHL) at 4 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Last games: These two met on Friday night at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Wildcats 10-3. Matthew Highmore had a pair of goals for Saint John while singles came from Samuel Dove-McFalls, Nathan Noel, Cedric Pare, Landon Quinney, Samuel Leblanc, Bokondji Imama, Spencer Smallman and Cole Reginato. Jonathan Aspirot, Jeremy McKenna and Kelly Klima scored for Moncton. Alex D'Orio allowed three goals on seven shots while Alex Bishop stopped all 17 shots he faced. Keven Bouchard allowed 10 goals on 47 shots in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 2-0-0-0 against the Wildcats this season while Moncton is 0-2-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Friday.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Wildcats: None

Random stat: The Wildcats have lost eight straight games and have been outscored 51-19 during that span. The 'Cats have also allowed 10 goals against on three different occasions during the skid.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 10-3

FINAL: Moncton 3, Saint John 10

Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – A six-goal outburst in the third period gave the Saint John Sea Dogs a 10-3 victory over the Moncton Wildcats on Friday night at Harbour Station.

The game remained close until later portion of the third period when the Sea Dogs’ offence exploded for five goals in the final three minutes and 15 seconds.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Matthew Highmore (two), Samuel Dove-McFalls, Nathan Noel, Cedric Pare, Landon Quinney, Samuel Leblanc, Bokondji Imama, Cole Reginato and Spencer Smallman. Alex Bishop picked up the win after coming in to relieve Alex D’Orio, stopping all 17 shots he faced.

Picking up goals for the Wildcats were Jonathan Aspirot, Jeremy McKenna and Kelly Klima. Keven Bouchard allowed all 10 goals on 47 shots.

To the notes …

• It was Halloween Night at Harbour Station. 
• Moncton scored the game’s first goal when Aspirot’s shot from a bad angle found its way through the pads of D’Orio at 3:15 of opening period. 
• The Sea Dogs would even things up on a power play at 6:00 when Dove-McFalls finished off a mad scramble in front of Wildcats’ starter Keven Bouchard. 
• The Wildcats would regain their one-goal advantage when McKenna was sent in alone and put a nice deke on D’Orio at 9:36. 
• The Sea Dogs would once again capitalize on a power play chance. This time around it was Nathan Noel who buried a chance high on Bouchard at 13:25, knotting the game at 2-2. 
• Saint John would earn their first lead of the contest at 19:17 when Pare wristed a shot past Bouchard, putting the Dogs in front 3-2. 
• Moncton would even things in the second period. After Adam Holwell got drilled, Kelly Klima picked up the loose puck and deked D’Orio at 4:36. That would end D’Orio’s night. 
• Highmore would get the Sea Dogs back in front with another late period tally, tapping a Mathieu Joseph pass past Bouchard at 19:09 to give the Sea Dogs a 4-3 lead after two periods of play. 
• Quinney netted his first QMJHL goal at 4:34 of the third period to make it 5-3 Sea Dogs after jamming a puck past Bouchard. 
• Than at 16:45 of the third, everything fell apart for the Wildcats, beginning with Highmore, who picked up a loose puck and had a yawning cage to make it 6-3. 
• Just eight seconds after Highmore’s goal (16:53) it was Leblanc’s turn, flipping a wrist shot over the glove of Bouchard to extend the lead to 7-3. 
• The Sea Dogs just kept coming. At 17:06 it was the big man, Imama, going upstairs and making it 8-3 Sea Dogs. 
• At 17:50 it was the captain’s turn as Smallman hammered home a one time shot. 
• Reginato would cap things off for the Sea Dogs at 19:52 of the third period, making it 10-3 for the Sea Dogs. 
• The Sea Dogs set a team record for fastest three goals, netting the markers just 21 seconds apart off the sticks of Highmore, Leblanc, and Imama. 
• The fastest four goals record was also broken as the Sea Dogs managed to net four in 1:05. Reginato’s goal was his first as a member of the Sea Dogs. 
• Luke Green and Chase Stewart were the only players to not record a point for the Dogs. 
• Bailey Webster finished with a team best +6 rating on the night.
• The Sea Dogs outshot the Wildcats 23-6 in the first period. 
• The so called fourth line of Reginato, Quinney, and Leblanc combined for three goals and four assists.

Game Day 15: vs Wildcats

The Saint John Sea Dogs (9-4-1-0, 1st Maritimes, 3rd QMJHL) host the Moncton Wildcats (4-9-0-0, 6th Maritimes, 17th overall) tonight at 7 p.m. at Harbour Station.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-2 win over the Charlottetown Islanders at home on Wednesday. Spencer Smallman had a hat trick while singles came from Bokondji Imama and Nathan Noel. Alex Bishop made 15 saves in the win. The Wildcats are coming off a 5-2 loss in Cape Breton on Wednesday. Manuel Wiederer and Alex Lavoie both scored for Moncton. Matthew Waite made 24 saves in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-0-0-0 against the Wildcats this season while Moncton is 0-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Oct. 1 at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Wildcats 5-0. Nathan Noel scored twice while singles came courtesy of Matthew Highmore, Spencer Smallman and Cedric Pare. Alex Bishop made 26 saves in the shutout victory. Keven Bouchard made 26 saves in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Wildcats: None

Random stat: The Wildcats have lost seven straight games and are 3-7 in their last 10. During their losing skid, Moncton has allowed 10 goals against on two different occasions.

Bowers commits to BU

Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Shane Bowers has committed to Boston University.

The 17-year-old forward tweeted his decision on Thursday:

Excited to play college hockey at Boston University. Looking forward to being a part of the BU tradition! Can't wait to be a Terrier! 🐾

— Shane Bowers (@shanebowers15) October 27, 2016

Bowers, projected to be a first-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, has five goals and four assists in nine games with the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks this season. It's his second year in the USHL after opting not to play in the QMJHL two years in a row.

The Halifax native was a second-round pick of the Sea Dogs in this year's QMJHL Entry Draft but has never reported to the team. In 2015, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles selected the forward fourth overall but could not get him to report, either.

Boston University is, of course, one of the top NCAA hockey programs. The good news: a player has left BU in the past to join the Sea Dogs. So ... that's something.

Bowers is expected to join BU for the 2017-18 season.

Photo: USHL

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 5-2

FINAL: Charlottetown 2, Saint John 5

Lorne Webster | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – Spencer Smallman's first QMJHL hat trick was the key to a decisive 5-2 victory for the Saint John Sea Dogs over their division rivals from Charlottetown Wednesday evening at Harbour Station. 

In addition to Smallman's three goals and an assist, Bokondji Imama and Nathan Noel scored for the Sea Dogs.  Filip Chlapik and Pascal Aquin responded for the Islanders. Alex Bishop had 15 saves for the win while Matthew Welsh stopped 29 shots in defeat. 

The notes …

• Smallman got the scoring started, on a power play at 4:45 of the first, when he unloaded a one-timer off a cross ice feed from Mathieu Joseph.

• While shorthanded at 16:23 of the first, Chlapik intercepted a pass in his defensive zone, rushed the puck to the high slot and used the sole Sea Dog back as a screen to beat Bishop just over the shoulder to tie the game at 1-1.

• Early in the second, while Charlottetown was down five men to three, Welsh made the save of the game with a lunging glove save on Joseph in tight.

• At 14:47 of the second, Smallman finished off a tic-tac-toe play with Imama and Luke Green by snapping the puck past a sprawling Welsh. Credit to Cedric Pare for a solid dangle at the blue line to start off the play.

• The visitors responded at 17:49 when Aquin's wrist shot past a defender, from the top of the right face-off circle, eluded Bishop to tie the game again at 2-2.

• The hosts came out firing in the third and, at 1:46, Imama found himself all alone in front and made no mistake with a backhander to score the game-winning goal. Pare was a major figure once again with strong work in the corner to get the puck to Matt Green who, in turn, fed Imama.

• There was a little controversy at 3:17 when a heavy Jakub Zboril point shot was deflected in front by Noel past Welsh. The Islanders argued that shot was redirected with a high stick.  But a video review was unable to overturn the call on the ice.  4-2 Sea Dogs.

• At 6:37, a little more than a minute after Pare fired a laser off the cross bar, Smallman completed his hat trick when he took a short pass from Noel and unloaded a heavy wrist shot past Welsh to set the final at 5-2.

• Chlapik - the Islanders leading scorer - showed tons of skill but also a bit of frustration, especially when he initiated a scrum by punching rugged Sea Dogs defenceman Chase Stewart. The Islanders were fortunate that the linesmen jumped in quickly to protect the star import.

• In what is becoming an unsettling recurring theme, reports out of Ottawa stated that Sea Dogs star defenceman Thomas Chabot was - once again - a healthy scratch. UGH.

• Cole Reginato was given an automatic one-game suspension for what the officials deemed to be a "staged fight" against Rouyn-Noranda on Saturday.

• Saint John fans surely can appreciate just how bad the flu bug has been around the team recently, when reports surfaced that the Sea Dogs' ultimate warrior and ironman - David ('DK') Kelly - was unable to report for duty earlier this week. However, while still not fully recovered, DK was at his post again tonight. 

Joseph heading to Canada Russia Series

Saint John Sea Dogs forward Mathieu Joseph will play for the QMJHL all-star team at this year's Canada Russia Series event.

21 Canadians from the QMJHL were named to the team, which will take on a Russian junior squad on Nov. 15 in Chicoutimi and Nov. 17 in Baie-Comeau.

This is the second straight year Joseph has been named to the QMJHL team. He appeared in both games last year, scoring twice.

Joseph is off to a great start with Saint John this season, recording 12 goals and four assists in just 11 games.

The Canada Russia Series is used by Hockey Canada to help determine who gets invited to world junior camp. Thanks to his hot start, Joseph is no doubt on Team Canada's radar.

All six games of the series - which feature all-star teams from the WHL, OHL and QMJHL - will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

Game Day 14: vs Islanders

The Saint John Sea Dogs (8-4-1-0, 1st Maritimes, 3rd QMJHL) continue their five-game homestand tonight with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Charlottetown Islanders (7-5-1-0, 3rd Maritimes, 7th QMJHL) at Harbour Station.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies at home on Saturday. Nathan Noel scored Saint John’s only goal. Alex Bishop and Alex D’Orio combined to allow five goals on 30 shots. The Islanders are coming off a 4-2 loss in Chicoutimi on Saturday. Chris Chaddock and Filip Chlapik scored for Charlottetown. Blade Mann-Dixon allowed four goals on 21 shots.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Islanders are 1-0-0-0 against the Sea Dogs this season while Saint John is 0-1-0-0 against Charlottetown.

Last meeting: These two met on opening night at Eastlink Centre where the Islanders defeated the Sea Dogs 6-2. Mitchell Balmas and Jake Coughler each scored twice while singles came from Chris Chaddock and Kameron Kielly. Matthew Highmore and Samuel Leblanc scored for Saint John. Blade Mann-Dixon made 42 saves in the win while Alex Bishop made 19 in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Islanders: Will Thompson and Blade Mann-Dixon.

Random stat: Former Sea Dogs goaltender Blade Mann-Dixon is 2-3-0-0 with a 3.66 GAA and .880 SV% so far this season.

Veleno to miss U-17 tournament

Saint John Sea Dogs forward Joe Veleno has “withdrawn” from the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the team announced today.

According to a press release, Veleno is dealing with a lower body injury.

“Joe is disappointed and we are disappointed for him,” Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie said in the release. “He was looking forward to playing in the Challenge a second time, and I know our organization and our fans were excited to see Joe on the world stage. In consultation with our medical staff, it was decided that Joe should rest and rehabilitate his injury here.”

Veleno was expected to suit up for Canada White at the event – the second straight year he had been named to Canada’s roster.

The 16-year-old exceptional forward was first injured in Saint John’s 3-2 overtime loss in Boisbriand on Oct. 12. He played this past Friday at home against Val-d’Or but missed Saturday’s match against Rouyn-Noranda.

Veleno was held scoreless in the Oct. 12 match and Friday’s. He’s been held pointless in just one other game this season, registering one goal and six assists in nine games.

Ryan Chyzowski of the Medicine Hat Tigers will replace Veleno on Canada White.

The Sea Dogs will still be represented at the tournament with assistant coach Paul Boutilier acting as head coach of Canada Black.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 5-1

FINAL: Rouyn-Noranda 5, Saint John 1

By Lorne Webster | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – The defending President’s Cup champions from Rouyn-Noranda earned a season split with Saint John by beating the Sea Dogs 5-1 in a hard fought contest at Harbour Station Saturday evening.

Evan MacKinnon, Peter Abbandonato, Jean-Christophe Beaudin, Gabriel Fontaine and Jeremy Diotte had the goals for the Huskies and Samuel Harvey made 29 saves. Nathan Noel was the lone Sea Dog to score in this game. Alex Bishop and Alex D'Orio combined for 25 saves.

The notes…

• As part of the Rogers Hometown Hockey celebrations in Saint John this weekend, Tara Slone - Canadian rock vocalist and television personality - and Todd Hlushko - former Saint John Flame (where he was a teammate of Sea Dogs coach Jeff Cowan) and Team Canada player - dropped the ceremonial puck to kick-off the contest.
• Cole Reginato and Samuel Naud were ejected early in the first period for what the officials deemed to be a "staged" fight.
• Rouyn-Noranda did not register their first shot on goal until 10:54 of the first period. But the Huskies opened the scoring at 14:58 when MacKinnon - a 16 year-old rookie and former Dartmouth Major Midgets star - scored his first QMJHL goal off a backhand shot that squeaked past Bishop.
• Bokondji Imama delivered the hit of the game late in the first when he plastered Huskies super pest Mathieu Boucher into the side boards with a hard, clean body check just outside the blue line.
• Abbandonato banged a rebound through Bishop's legs at 4:05 of the second. And Beaudin one-timed a turnover past Bishop just over three minutes later to end the Sea Dogs senior goalie's night. Rookie netminder Alex D'Orio was called upon immediately after the Huskies third goal.
• Seconds after Bailey Webster stopped a shot mere inches before crossing the goal line during a penalty kill, Luke Green was sprung for a breakaway as he left the box but the Winnipeg Jets prospect was stoned by Harvey.
• At 14:55, Fontaine finished off a nice three-way passing play as he knifed a backhand deflection past D'Orio to extend Rouyn-Noranda's lead to 4-0.
• The Sea Dogs got on the board during a power play at 16:50 of the second when Noel banged the rebound of a Luke Green blast past Harvey. The Sea Dogs were buzzing after Noel's goal but went into the second intermission down 4-1.
• The Huskies showed why they are ranked among the top teams in the CHL with a solid, tight checking performance, especially throughout the third period. Both Harvey and D'Orio made several huge saves during the final frame as well. 
• Diotte's point shot deflected off something in front of D'Orio with just over three minutes remaining to set the final score at 5-1 for the visitors.
• Both teams were missing key players for this game. Thomas Chabot, Jeremy Lauzon, Jakub Zboril, Jacob Neveau, Joe Veleno and Alexandre Fortin were all unavailable. 
• Many observers are expecting Rouyn-Noranda and Saint John to meet in either the semifinals or finals next spring. If so, a series between these two teams could be epic.
• According to reports out of Ottawa, Sea Dogs star defenceman Thomas Chabot took the warmup with the Senators on Saturday night - but Chabot was a healthy scratch once again ... tick, tock, tick, tock ...
• Huskies rookie defenceman Chris McQuaid is the younger brother of former Sea Dogs defenceman Alex McQuaid, as well as the cousin of Boston Bruin Adam McQuaid.
• Both teams - especially their coaches - grew increasingly frustrated as referees Maurice LeBlanc and Tim Hamel allowed numerous cheap shots and late hits to go unpenalized. 

Game Day 13: vs Huskies

The Saint John Sea Dogs (8-3-1-0, 1^st Maritimes, 3^rd QMJHL) take on the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (8-1-0-1, 1^st West, 2^nd QMJHL) tonight at 7 p.m. at Harbour Station.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-1 home win over the Val-d’Or Foreurs last night at Harbour Station. Mathieu Joseph scored twice while singles came from Cedric Pare and Matt Green. Alex D’Orio made 19 saves in the win. The Huskies are coming off a 4-2 win in Halifax last night. Peter Abbandonato scored twice while singles came from Antoine Waked and Philippe Myers. Samuel Harvey made 22 stops in the victory.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-0-0-0 against the Huskies while Rouyn-Noranda is 0-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Last Friday at Iamgold Arena where the Sea Dogs defeated the Huskies 4-2. Samuel Leblanc, Luke Green, Cedric Pare and Mathieu Joseph all scored for Saint John. Rouyn-Noranda goals came from Gabriel Fontaine. Alex Bishop made 18 saves in the win while Samuel Harvey made 17 in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Huskies: None

Random stat: Saint John leads the league in shorthanded goals with five. Rouyn-Noranda is second with four.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 4-1

FINAL: Val-d’Or 1, Saint John 4

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – Sporting their Pink in the Rink jerseys, the Saint John Sea Dogs got back in the win column on Friday night, defeating the Val-d’Or Foreurs 4-1 at Harbour Station.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Mathieu Joseph (two), Cedric Pare and Matt Green. Alex D’Orio remains undefeated in his QMJHL career, improving to 4-0-0 by stopping 19 of 20 shots

Julien Gauthier had the lone goal for the Foreurs. Dereck Baribeau stopped 22 shots and Etienne Montpetit 16 in the loss.

To the notes…

• This was Pink in the Rink night at Harbour Station, with the Sea Dogs sporting pick jerseys that were raffled off.
• The Foreurs notched the lone goal of the opening period when Gauthier scored on a breakaway at 15:44, sliding a shot five hole on D’Orio.
• Pare would even things up by banging home the rebound of a Matt Green wrist shot at the 5:20 mark of period two.
• Joseph picked up his first goal of the night on a penalty shot at 8:11, going forehand to backhand before sliding the puck five-hole on Baribeau. That gave the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead.
• Joseph wouldn’t wait long to pick up his second straight tally. At 12:05 of the middle frame, Joseph undressed a Foreurs defender and went upstairs on Baribeau, making it a 3-1 Sea Dogs lead.
• The Sea Dogs would extend their lead to 4-1 at 14:56 of the middle frame with a shorthanded marker. Samuel Dove-McFalls and Matt Green broke in 2-on-1 that ended with Green one timing a shot past Baribeau.
• During the first intermission, the Sea Dogs recognized CEO and majority owner Scott McCain on his 60th birthday. Fans sang him the happy birthday tune.
• There is an apparent serious flu bug going through the Sea Dogs locker room, causing several players to miss time.
• Matthew Highmore picked up two assists, moving him past Tomas Jurco for sixth all-time on the Sea Dogs points list with 177 career points.

Game Day 12: vs Foreurs

The Saint John Sea Dogs (7-3-1-0, 2^nd Maritimes, 4^th QMJHL) host the Val-d’Or Foreurs (5-6-0-0, 5^th West, 14^th QMJHL) tonight on Pink in the Rink night at Harbour Station. Game time is 7 p.m.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-1 loss at home to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Wednesday. Mathieu Joseph scored Saint John’s lone goal while Alex Bishop made 25 saves in the loss. The Foreurs are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Sea Dogs at home last Saturday. Mathieu Joseph scored twice for Saint John while singles came from Jakub Zboril and Spencer Smallman. Val-d’Or goals came from Ivan Kozlov and Julien Gauthier. Alex D’Orio made 18 saves in the win while Etienne Montpetit made 38 stops in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-0-0-0 against the Foreurs this season while Val-d’Or is 0-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Last Saturday at the Air Creebec Centre where the Sea Dogs defeated the Foreurs 4-2. Mathieu Joseph scored twice for Saint John while singles came from Jakub Zboril and Spencer Smallman. Val-d’Or goals came from Ivan Kozlov and Julien Gauthier. Alex D’Orio made 18 saves in the win while Etienne Montpetit made 38 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Foreurs: Defencemen Jason Bell and Jack vanBoekel along with forward Adam Marsh.

Random stat: Matthew Highmore is currently fourth in the league in scoring with six goals and 17 points in 11 games.

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 3-1

FINAL: Bathurst 3, Saint John 1

By Lorne Webster | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – Upon returning home after an 11-day, nine-out-of-10-point road trip through Quebec, the Saint John Sea Dogs suffered a tough 3-1 loss to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan Wednesday evening at Harbour Station.

Jordan Maher potted a pair of goals and Jeffrey Truchon-Viel added an empty net insurance marker for the visitors. Mathieu Joseph was the lone Sea Dog to score in this contest.

It was a good ol' fashion goaltending battle at the Station with Reilly Pickard producing a 37 save masterpiece for the Titan while Sea Dogs backstop Alex Bishop had a stellar 25 save performance.

The notes…

• The Sea Dogs appeared to be a tad flat after their long road trip in a scoreless first period. Pickard made a highlight reel save off a Matthew Highmore one-timer during a power play late in the opening frame.
• Joseph scored the first goal of the night - while on a power play - when he corralled a loose puck in the slot off a scramble and fired a hard wrist shot over a fallen Pickard at 14:33 of the second.
• Maher responded at 18:28 of the second - while skating 4-on-4 - when he fired a laser past Bishop's mask and just inside the cross bar to tie the game 1-1.
• At 1:34 of the third, a turnover deep in the Sea Dogs zone went directly to Maher in the left face-off circle. The Titan forward then one-timed the puck just inside the short side post to give Bathurst a 2-1 lead.
• With just under six minutes remaining in the third, Pickard made another highlight reel save - and potential game saver - this time a beautiful sliding butterfly toe save off a Cedric Pare blast from the slot off a two-on-one break.
• Saint John applied tons of pressure in the final minutes but were unable to beat Pickard and the Titan's five men in the box defence. A blocked shot ultimately led to a breakout and an empty net goal by Truchon-Viel with 39.5 seconds remaining.
• Following the game, Sea Dogs radio play-by-play man Tim Roszell indicated that a flu bug from the recent road trip to Quebec adversely affected a number of Sea Dogs and it forced star defenceman Jakub Zboril to sit this game out. However, the Titan deserve full marks for a gritty road game performance against their provincial and division rivals. The Titan seem to bring their 'A' game to Saint John each and every time they travel to the Port City.
• Word out of Ottawa today was that Thomas Chabot looked quite good in his NHL regular season debut with the Senators, in somewhat limited action, on Tuesday. However, the Senators' coaching staff expect him to learn a few valuable lessons from turnovers which led to goals against. The debate - at least amongst the Sea Dogs faithful - is if or when Chabot could be returned to Saint John for continued development under the tutelage of Paul “Boots'” Boutilier.
• While the Sea Dogs have not issued an official statement, it appears defenceman Gabriel Bettez was released from the 25-man roster to open up a spot for forward Landon Quinney.

Game Day 11: vs Titan

The Saint John Sea Dogs (7-2-1-0, third overall QMJHL, first Maritimes Division) return to Harbour Station tonight, hosting the Acadie-Bathurst Titan (4-4-1-1, 12^th overall QMJHL, 5^th Maritimes) at 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-2 win in Val-d’Or on Saturday. Mathieu Joseph scored twice while singles came from Jakub Zboril and Spencer Smallman. Alex D’Orio made 18 saves in the win. The Titan are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles on Sunday in Bathurst. Dawson Theede scored twice while Jonathan Bourcier also netted a goal. Reilly Pickard made 32 saves in the win.

2016-17 head-to-head: Surprisingly, this is the first meeting of the season between the two.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 6-1-2-0 against the Titan last season while Bathurst went 3-5-0-1 against Saint John.

Last meeting: These two met a few times during the pre-season, with the last being a 7-3 Sea Dogs win on Aug. 28 at Harbour Station. Zach Grzelewski scored twice while singles came from Samuel Dove-McFalls, John Warren, Matthew Highmore, Joe Veleno and Oliver Felixson. Bathurst had two goals from Daniil Miromanov and a single from Vladimir Kuznetsov. Alex Bishop and Matthew Williams picked up the win in net. Tanner Somers picked up the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Titan: Forward Dawson Theede.

Random stat: Matthew Highmore is third in the league in scoring with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points. Rimouski’s Tyler Boland leads the league in scoring with 18 points.

Chabot to make NHL debut tonight

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Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman Thomas Chabot is expected to make his NHL debut tonight.

Chabot is listed as the seventh defencemen for the Ottawa Senators, who will take on the Arizona Coyotes at 8:30 p.m. at Canadian Tire Centre. The game can be seen on TSN5.

Thomas Chabot set to make his #NHL debut tonight. Here's a look at the #Sens projected line-up against the Coyotes... pic.twitter.com/QyBSG3PfZo

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 18, 2016

Chabot has been with the Senators all season but has not played in any of the club's previous three games.

“It’s something special for me and my family,” Chabot told the Ottawa Citizen. “Since I was five years old I’ve been saying I want to play in the NHL one day and tonight I have the chance to play my first game so it’s something special.”

Former Sea Dogs forward Mike Hoffman will be in the Ottawa lineup as well, playing on the team's top line.

According to the Sea Dogs website, Chabot "will become the 12th player – and sixth defenceman – in Sea Dogs history to play in an NHL regular season game."

Four former Sea Dogs have played in the NHL already this season - Hoffman, Charlie Coyle, Nathan Beaulieu and Simon Despres. Check out how they've performed here.

Alumdate: Sea Dogs in the NHL

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By Lorne Webster | SN Staff

Today we take a look at the former Sea Dogs who are currently playing hockey in the top three professional leagues in North America this season. In an upcoming report, Station Nation will review Sea Dogs alumni playing in various professional leagues overseas.

In the show

Nathan Beaulieu is learning the ropes in the hockey-crazed market of Montreal. Early in training camp, reports began to circulate that - on the heels of the mega trade of PK Subban to Nashville for Shea Weber - Canadiens' GM Marc Bergevin had received multiple trade offers for Beaulieu. However, hard work and a strong pre-season propelled Beaulieu into a top-pairing assignment with Weber. The budding defenceman has continued his strong play into the regular season - as witnessed by an assist and a +5 rating in the Canadiens first two games. 

During the pre-season, Minnesota Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau shifted Charlie Coyle between center and the wing. But coach Boudreau has decided to keep Coyle and his 6-foot-3, 218-pound frame on the wing. 'Sir Charles' had a career-high 21 goals and 42 points in 2015-16 and has a goal and an assist in two games played this year.

Despite being held pointless in Ottawa's first two regular season games, Mike Hoffman is a threat to score virtually every time he is on the ice. Reports from NHL analysts have suggested that Hoffman may be among the top five shooters in the NHL due to his uncanny ability to unload an extremely hard shot while in full flight.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 4-2

FINAL: Saint John 4, Val-d’Or 2

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

VAL-D’OR – The Saint John Sea Dogs’ five-game, 11 day Quebec road trip ended on a winning note on Saturday.

The Sea Dogs brought forth another excellent effort in Val-d’Or, coming from behind twice to defeat the Foreurs by a score of 4-2. The win gives the Sea Dogs nine of a possible 10 points on their road trip.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Mathieu Joseph (two), Jakub Zboril, and Spencer Smallman. Alex D’Orio remains undefeated in his QMJHL career, improving to 3-0-0 after stopping 18 of the 20 shots he faced.

Julien Gauthier and Ivan Kozlov were the goal scorers for the Foreurs while Etienne Montpetit was excellent in net, stopping 39 of 42 shots.

To the notes…

• The Foreurs opened the scoring at 10:45 of the first when Kozlov got a piece of a point shot that squeaked through D’Orio.
• The Sea Dogs would get their first goal of the game off the stick of Joseph at 6:56 of the second period. Joseph skated in shorthanded and fired a bullet past Montpetit, knotting the game at 1-1.
• Later in the period, Cole Reginato would take a double minor for high sticking and Julien Gauthier made the Sea Dogs pay. Gauthier hammered home a one-time shot five-hole on D’Orio at 9:32, making it 2-1 Val-d’Or.
• The Sea Dogs returned the favour with a power play marker of their own at 18:33. Zboril unloaded a point shot that just managed to find it’s way through Montpetit, squaring things up 2-2 just before the period came to an end.
• Smallman would give the Sea Dogs their first lead of the night at 6:31 of the final period. A loose puck squirted into the slot where Smallman snapped it by Montpetit, giving the Sea Dogs a 3-2 edge.
• Joseph secured the victory by poking a puck past a Val-d’Or defender and into an empty net at 19:43 of the third.
• Gauthier celebrated his 19th birthday with his first goal of the season.
• Matthew Highmore’s three point night gives him 175 as a Sea Dog, tying him for sixth all-time with Tomas Jurco.
• Smallman picked up two points, giving him 153 in his Sea Dogs career and passing Nathan Beaulieu for 10th all time.
• Bailey Webster picked up his first point of the season by assisting on Joseph’s empty net goal.
• Highmore won an impressive 21 of 27 faceoffs (77.8%).
• The two points moves the Sea Dogs into a first place tie for top spot in the league with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

Game Day 10: at Val-d'Or

The Saint John Sea Dogs' (6-2-1-0) five-game road trip comes to an end tonight in Val-d'Or with an 8 p.m. meeting with the Foreurs (5-5-0-0).

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-2 win in Rouyn-Noranda last night. Luke Green, Samuel Leblanc, Cedric Pare and Mathieu Joseph all scored for Saint John while Alex Bishop made 18 saves in the win. The Foreurs are coming off a 4-2 loss to Drummondville yesterday. Maxim Mizyurin and Simon Lafrance scored for Val-d’Or while Dereck Baribeau made 28 stops in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: This is the first meeting of the season between the two.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 1-1-0-0 against the Foreurs last season while Val-d’Or went 1-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Feb. 20 in Val-d’Or where the Foreurs defeated the Sea Dogs 6-2. Julien Gauthier had two goals for the Foreurs while singles came from Olivier Galipeau, Anthony Richard, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Filip Pyrochta. Jakub Zboril and Adam Marsh both scored for Saint John. Etienne Montpetit made 28 stops in the win. Marc-Antoine Turcotte allowed six goals on 39 shots while Alex Bishop faced three shots in 6:01 of action.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Foreurs: Defencemen Jack vanBoekel and Jason Bell along with forward Adam Marsh.

Random stat: Saint John is 5-0-0-0 when scoring first this season.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 4-2

FINAL: Saint John 4, Rouyn-Noranda 2

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

ROUYN-NORANDA – The Saint John Sea Dogs have now picked up seven of a possible eight points on their lengthy Quebec road trip.

The Dogs continued their strong road play on Friday night, picking up a 4-2 win over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies – the CHL’s No. 1 ranked team. The win gives the Sea Dogs points in all four games of their road trip so far.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Samuel Leblanc, Luke Green, Cedric Pare and Mathieu Joseph. Alex Bishop bounced back from an overtime loss on Wednesday, picking up the win by stopping 18 of 20 shots.

Gabriel Fontaine picked up both markers for the Huskies while Samuel Harvey took the loss in net, stopping 16 of 20 shots.

To the notes…

• Leblanc kicked things off for the Sea Dogs at 16:41 of the first, jumping on a loose puck and firing it past Harvey. That would be the lone goal of the opening period.
• The Sea Dogs would double their lead to 2-0 at 2:11 of the middle frame when Green’s blast from the point went off a Huskies defender and past Harvey.
• Pare would extend the Sea Dogs lead to 3-0 at 15:32 of the second period, banking a shot in off a Huskies defender.
• The third period got off to a great start for Saint John. While shorthanded, Joseph picked off a pass attempt and skated in alone, beating Harvey five hole 19 seconds in.
• The Huskies began their comeback at 2:32 of the third. Fontaine’s shot appeared to be under Bishop, but when the netminder moved his pad he kicked the puck into the net, breaking the goose egg.
• Fontaine would get his second of the game at 8:54. In similar fashion to Pare’s marker, Fontaine banked a shot in off a Sea Dog defender. That closed the gap to 4-2.
• Landon Quinney played his first QMJHL game and assisted on Leblanc’s first period goal.
• Zach Grzelewski picked up his first career QMJHL point, assisting Green’s goal.
• Joseph now leads the team in goals with seven.
• The win moves the Sea Dogs back into sole possession of first place in the Maritimes Division and one-point behind Shawinigan for top spot in the QMJHL.
• The win also gives the Huskies their first taste of defeat during regulation time this season.
• Nathan Noel leads the team with 18 penalty minutes (we don’t think this is a good thing).

Sea Dogs sign free agent Quinney

The Saint John Sea Dogs announced a roster move today, signing free agent forward Landon Quinney.

Quinney, 18, played in 69 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors last season after joining the Western Hockey League club as a free agent. A Las Vegas native, Quinney played in the North American Hockey League the season before last.

“We’ve heard a lot of good things about Landon,” said Sea Dogs head coach Danny Flynn in a press release. “Our reports tell us he’s an 18-year-old who plays a gritty, hard-nosed style of game.”

According to the news release, Quinney joined the team earlier this week. He will travel back to Saint John with the club.

Quinney is in Saint John's lineup tonight in Rouyn-Noranda.

Photo via Sea Dogs website

Game Day 9: at Rouyn-Noranda

In what has the potential to be one the best games of the 2016-17 season, the Saint John Sea Dogs (5-2-1-0) take on the Huskies (6-0-0-1) tonight in Rouyn-Noranda. Puck drops at 8:30 p.m. at Arena Iamgold.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss in Blainville-Boisbriand on Wednesday. Spencer Smallman and Luke Green scored for Saint John while Alex Bishop made 29 stops in the loss. The Huskies are coming off a 6-2 win over Chicoutimi on home ice last Saturday. William Cyr, Mathieu Boucher, Jeremy Lauzon, Anthony Wojcik, Jean-Christophe Beaudin and Martins Dzierkals all scored for Rouyn-Noranda. Charles-Antoine Poirier-Turcot made 20 stops in the win.

2016-17 head-to-head: This is the first meeting between the two.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs went 0-2-0-0 against the President Cup champions last season while Rouyn-Noranda went 2-0-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Feb. 19 in Rouyn-Noranda where the Huskies defeated the Sea Dogs 4-1. AJ Greer, Jean-Christophe Beaudin, Timo Meier and Francis Perron all scored for the Huskies. Spencer Smallman scored Saint John's lone goal. Chase Marchand made 43 saves in the win. Marc-Antoine Turcotte made 27 saves in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Huskies: None

Random stat: How about Alexandre Bernier's start to the season? After recording three assists in 27 games with Saint John last year, Bernier has recored two goals and three helpers in just eight games this year.

Veleno returning to U-17 challenge

Joe Veleno is heading back to the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

The Saint John Sea Dogs forward was one of the 66 players named to Canada's roster for the annual event. The players will be divided into three teams - Canada Red, Canada White and Canada Black - closer to the tournament's start.

This year's tournament will be held Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 in Sault Ste. Marie.

At least year's tournament with Canada Black, Veleno recorded a goal and three assists in five games.

While his offensive numbers have been overshadowed by Matthew Highmore and Mathieu Joseph, Veleno is off to a strong start, recording a goal and six assists in eight games.

Veleno was injured early in last night's 3-2 Sea Dogs overtime loss in Boisbriand. According to Armada radio analyst Raphael Doucet, the injury is lower body.

Croisé après @SJSeaDogs @ArmadaBLB hier, Joe Veleno m’a dit s’être blessé à sa deuxième présence. On va dire qu’il m’a dit « bas du corps »!

— Raphaël Doucet (@raphdoucet) October 13, 2016

Meanwhile, RDS' Stephane Leroux reports that Veleno's status for this weekend's games in Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d'Or is uncertain.

Update blessure Joe Veleno (bas du corps). Statut incertain pour la suite du voyage en Abitibi #LHJMQ #SeaDogs

— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) October 13, 2016

In other news...

• The Sea Dogs were ranked sixth in the CHL Top 10 Rankings again this week.
• The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies were ranked No. 1 this week, jumping past the WHL's Prince George Cougars. The Sea Dogs will play their only game in Rouyn-Noranda this season tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. The two teams meet again next Saturday at Harbour Station
• The Dogs wrap up their five-game road trip on Saturday in Val-d'Or. They return home to host the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Wednesday.
• The Sea Dogs have introduced a number of new ticket packages recently. Visit the Sea Dogs website for details. 
• Wednesday's game in Boisbriand was the first time this season that Matthew Highmore was held pointless.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 3-2 (OT)

FINAL: Saint John 2, Blainville-Boisbriand 3 (OT)

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

BOISBRIAND – The Saint John Sea Dogs’ perfect road trip record came to an end on Wednesday.

The Sea Dogs battled hard with a short bench (Joe Veleno was injured early) but came up just short, dropping a 3-2 overtime decision to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. The single point does move the Sea Dogs back into top spot in the Maritimes Division.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Luke Green and Spencer Smallman. Alex Bishop took the OT loss, stopping 29 of a possible 32 shots.

The Armada goal scorers were Brock Perry, Yvan Mongo and Alexandre Alain. Samuel Montembeault picked up the win, stopping 27 of 29 shots.

To the notes…

• Perry opened the scoring for the Armada on a power play at 4:27, putting a well placed wrist shot by Bishop.
• The Sea Dogs would even the score at 5:47 when the captain Smallman tucked in a wrap around goal, beating Montembeault and evening things at 1-1.
• The Armada would strike again at 11:58 of the opening frame. After deflecting a pass attempt, Mongo was able to nudge past Martineau and slide the puck five hole on Bishop.
• The Sea Dogs capitalized on a power play at 15:52 when Green’s blast from the point found it’s way through, tying the match at 2-2.
• In a rare fight, Mathieu Joseph dropped the gloves with Jeremie Roy in the second period.
• There was no scoring in the third period despite a couple power play chances for the Armada.
• The Armada would score the game winner in OT at 3:37 when Alain turned and fired a shot on goal from the high slot that got past Bishop.
• The OT loss snaps the Sea Dogs’ five-game winning streak; however, they have still managed at least a single point in six straight games.
• Smallman’s first period goal was the 150th point of his QMJHL career.
• Perry, who scored the game’s opening goal, is the son of former Saint John Flames forward Jeff Perry and was born in Saint John.
• Early in the first period, Veleno was injured and did not return. Samuel Dove-McFalls took his spot on the top line.
• The Sea Dogs started the game with 11 forwards but had to finish with just 10. At one point, the Dogs had to play with nine while Joseph was sitting for his earlier fight.
• Montembeault has not lost a game since he returned to the Armada (5-0-0).
• The NHL season started tonight. Thomas Chabot did not play for the Senators, though, in the team’s 5-4 win over Auston Matthews.

Game Day 8: at Blainville-Boisbriand

The Saint John Sea Dogs (5-2-0-0) look to extend their winning streak to six games tonight when they take on the St. John’s Fog Devils/Montreal Junior/Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (4-3-0-1) in Quebec. Game time is 8 p.m.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-3 win in Sherbrooke on Sunday. Matthew Highmore scored twice while singles came from Mathieu Joseph, Joe Veleno and Alexandre Bernier. Alex D’Orio made 21 stops in the victory. The Armada are coming off a 2-1 win in Victoriaville on Monday. Alexandre Alain and Yvan Mongo scored for the Armada while Samuel Montembeault made 24 saves in the win.

2016-17 head-to-head: This is the first meeting of the season between the two.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 1-1-0-0 against the Armada last season while Blainville-Boisbriand went 1-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Oct. 17, 2015 in Boisbriand where the Sea Dogs defeated the Armada 5-3. Sam Povorozniouk scored twice for Saint John while singles came from Mathieu Joseph, Adam Marsh and Spencer Smallman. Philippe Sanche scored twice for the Armada and TJ Melanccon added a solo marker. Marc-Antoine Turcotte made 21 saves in the win. Samuel Montembeault and Mark Grametbauer combined to allow four goals on 19 shots.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Armada: None

Random stat: According to the league website, the Sea Dogs are 2-5-1-0 against the Armada over the past five seasons. They are 1-2-1-0 in Boisbriand.

Alumdate: Former Sea Dogs in the CHL

In just his second game with the Rimouski Oceanic, Nico Blachman has been suspended.

The former Sea Dogs forward has been suspended five games by the QMJHL for leaving the Oceanic bench to fight on Saturday in Moncton.

The QMJHL website has video and a full explanation of the suspension.

In two games with Rimouski, Blachman has no points and 11 penalty minutes.

Last season, the Florida native had one goal and 68 penalty minutes in 31 games with Saint John.

Here’s a look at how other former Sea Dogs are performing in the CHL this season:

Player	Team	GP	Goals	Assists	Points
Olivier Leblanc	CAP	6	3	4	7
Jason Bell	VDO	9	0	6	6
Dawson Theede	BAT	4	2	3	5
Will Thompson	CHA	6	0	3	3
Jack vanBoekel	VDO	9	0	2	2
Julien Tessier	CHI	4	1	0	1
Austin Clapham	NIA	6	0	0	0
Nico Blachman	RIM	2	0	0	0
Adam Marsh	VDO	0	0	0	0

Player	Team	W-L	GAA	SV%
Blade Mann-Dixon	CHA	1-2-0-0	3.50	.887

Bishop takes part in Habs practice

Saint John Sea Dogs goaltender Alex Bishop made a special guest appearance at Montreal Canadiens parctice this morning.

Bishop filled in for Carey Price, who was sick.

Here's @_alexbishop coming on the ice for @CanadiensMTL practice! Go get'em Bish! pic.twitter.com/fJo7wxTAPv

— Tim Roszell (@TimGRoszell) October 11, 2016

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 5-3

FINAL: Saint John 5, Sherbrooke 3

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SHERBROOKE – The Saint John Sea Dogs continued their road trip through Quebec on Sunday, picking up their fifth straight win with a 5-3 victory over the Sherbrooke Phoenix

The victory moved the Sea Dogs into sole possession of first place in the Maritimes Division.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Matthew Highmore (two), Mathieu Joseph, Alexandre Bernier and Joe Veleno. Alex D’Orio made his second career start and improved to 2-0 by stopping 21 of the 24 shots he faced.

Phoenix goal scorers were Benjamin Tardif, Kevin Gilbert and Anderson MacDonald. Evan Fitzpatrick took the loss for Sherbrooke, stopping 32 of 37 shots.

Game Day 7: at Sherbrooke

The big road trip continues today for the Saint John Sea Dogs (4-2-0-0) when they take on the Phoenix (2-3-0-1) in Sherbrooke. Game time is 4 p.m.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-2 win in Quebec City on Friday. Samuel Dove-McFalls scored twice while singles came from Bokondji Imama and Matthew Highmore. Alex Bishop made 14 saves in the win. The Phoenix are coming off a 3-0 loss in Blainville-Boisbriand on Friday. Evan Fitzpatrick made 22 saves in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: This is the first meeting of the season between the two.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 2-0-0-0 against the Phoenix last season while Sherbrooke went 0-1-1-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Nov. 27, 2015 in Saint John where the Sea Dogs defeated the Phoenix 6-2. Sam Povorozniouk, Adam Bateman, Nicholas Blachman, Oliver Felixson, Mathieu Joseph and Nathan Noel all scored for Saint John. Sherbrooke goals came from Nicolas Poulin and Guillaume Gauthier. Marc-Antoine Turcotte made 17 saves in the win while Alexandre Lagace made 42 in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Phoenix: None

Random stat: Quispamsis native Anderson MacDonald is off to a hot start with the Phoenix, recording seven goals and an assist in six games. He leads the QMJHL rookie scoring race.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 4-2

FINAL: Saint John 4, Quebec 2

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs kicked off their first road trip through Quebec this season on Friday night, taking on the Remparts at Quebec City’s Centre Videotron.

The Sea Dogs continued their winning ways, picking up their fourth straight win by knocking off the Remparts 4-2.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Samuel Dove-McFalls (two), Bokondji Imama and Matthew Highmore. Alex Bishop picked up his third win of the season by stopping 14 of the 16 shots he faced.

Remparts goal scorers were Ross MacDougall and Louis-Filip Cote. Callum Booth took the loss, making 31 saves on 34 opportunities.

Game Day 6: at Quebec

The Saint John Sea Dogs (3-2-0-0) begin the longest trip in team history tonight in Quebec City when they take on the Remparts (3-2-0-0). Game time is 8 p.m.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-4 overtime win over the Gatineau Olympiques on Wednesday at Harbour Station. Mathieu Joseph had a hat trick while singles came from Alexandre Bernier and Jakub Zboril. Alex D’Orio made 10 saves in the win. The Remparts are coming off a 4-2 win over the Victoriaville Tigres at home Wednesday. Matthew Boucher, Jesse Sutton, Louis-Filip Cote and Derek Gentile scored for Quebec. Callum Booth made 30 saves in the win.

2016-17 head-to-head: This is the first meeting of the season between the two.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs went 1-0-1-0 against the Remparts last season while Quebec went 1-1-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Nov. 26, 2015 at Harbour Station where the Remparts defeated the Sea Dogs 4-3 in overtime. Yanick Turcotte, Nikolas Brouillard, Dmytro Timashov and Massimo Carozza all scored for Quebec while Saint John goals came from Joe Veleno, Adam Marsh and Mathieu Joseph. Brady Labrecque made 31 saves in the win while Marc-Antoine Turcotte made 27 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Remparts: None

Random stat: Saint John’s power play is operating at league best 37.9% this season.

Chabot to start NHL season with Ottawa

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Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman Thomas Chabot will start the 2016-17 NHL season with the Ottawa Senators.

Pierre Dorion, Ottawa's general manager, confirmed the news today.

Pierre Dorion says: "These are our eight defencemen." Means Thomas Chabot will start season here. #Sens

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) October 6, 2016

Chabot and Claesson will start the season in Ottawa.

— Brent Wallace (@tsn_wally) October 6, 2016

The Senators made a number of roster moves yesterday, which created speculation that Chabot would stick with the Sens to start the season.

Chabot was a first-round pick of the Senators in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Now the question is how long will Chabot stay with the Sens. A few weeks? Until the world juniors? All season? Do the Sens want to burn a year of his entry-level contract? There's still plenty of questions to wonder about.

The absence of Chabot is, of course, a big loss for the Sea Dogs. The 19-year-old would be one of the best defencemen in the CHL and would likely average around a point-per-game.

Last season, Chabot had 11 goals and 34 assists in 47 games with Saint John. He added three goals and 18 assists in 17 playoff matches.

The Senators begin the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at home against Toronto.