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).

LINEUP:

Dove-McFalls - Highmore - Joseph

Smallman - Noel - Imama

Grzelewski – Pare - Green

Reginato - Quinney - Leblanc

Zboril - Stewart

Bernier - Green

Felixson – Webster

Bishop

D’Orio

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without Thomas Chabot (Ottawa Senators); John Warren, Gabriel Bettez, Kyle Ward and Joe Veleno (injuries); and Vincent Martineau and Bryson Michel (healthy).

Veleno is not expected to play in Val-d’Or on Saturday night, either.

TURNING POINT

Cedric Pare’s bank shot off the Huskies defender ultimately ended up being the game-winning goal. It capped off a very strong second period for the Sea Dogs, giving them a big enough cushion to secure the win.

SN PLAYERS OF THE GAME

1. Luke Green

2. Cedric Pare

3. Gabriel Fontaine

NEXT GAME
The Sea Dogs close out their five-game road trip through Quebec with a stop in Val-d’Or. Game time against the Foreurs is 8 p.m.