RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 6-4

FINAL: Saint John 4, Bathurst 6

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs held off the Acadie-Bathurst Titan as long as they could, but it wasn't enough on Sunday afternoon at Harbour Station.

Despite being heavily outshot all game by the Titan, the two teams were tied 1-1 after one and 2-2 after two. The Titan blew things open early in the third, but the Sea Dogs were still able to hang around. Despite managing to keep the score close, Saint John fell 6-4.

Alex D'Orio was once again tremendous in net, giving Saint John a chance. He made 60 saves in the loss, surpassing his previous career high for shots faced (58) and saves made (55) in a game.

The 66 shots the Sea Dogs allowed was a team record for most in a game. The 31 shots allowed in the second period was the most the franchise has ever allowed in a single period.

Jeffrey Truchon-Viel scored twice while singles came from Antoine Morand, Mitchell Balmas, Noah Dobson and Ethan Crossman. Backup goaltender Joseph Murdaca made 25 saves in the win.

Cole Reginato, Anthony Boucher, Nathan Larose and Ben Reid scored for Saint John.

The loss was Saint John's 10th straight. The team has six games remaining on their schedule, including three straight home games that are coming up this week.

The Titan were snoozing defensively early in the first period. Reginato opened the scoring at 7:27, skating in close and beating Murdaca with a deke to his forehand, making it 1-0.

The Sea Dogs had a decent opening period offensively despite being outshot 14-4. Anthony Boucher hit the outside of the post on a breakaway and then, in the final couple minutes, Cedric Pare nearly set up Reginato for his second of the night.

The Titan tied the game at 19:06. A Jordan Maher shot was stopped by D'Orio but the rebound bounced in front to Morand who put it in, making it 1-1.

With 6:24 remaining in the second and the Sea Dogs shorthanded, Boucher was awarded a penalty shot. On his free chance, Boucher ripped a wrist shot past Murdaca to put the Sea Dogs back in front.

Bathurst tied the game at 2-2 late in the period. With 34.8 seconds remaining, D'Orio was caught out of position as the puck made its way to Balmas. Bathurst's leading goal scorer had an open net to even things back up.

Just 1:22 into the third, Viel scored to put Bathurst up 3-2. Viel was in front and accepted a pass from Dobson, giving him an open net to give the Titan the lead.

Just 18 seconds later, Viel scored again, this time putting in a rebound to quickly give Bathurst a 4-2 advantage.

Saint John got back within one with seven minutes remaining in the third. A Larose point shot hit something in front and fooled Murdaca, making it 4-3. But just 21 seconds later, Crossman scored to give Bathurst its two-goal lead back.

Bathurst quickly added another goal at 15:21 when Dobson scored, making it 6-3. Reid scored at 15:44, cutting Bathurst's lead to 6-4, but that would be as close as Saint John would come.

LINEUP

Here's today's @CantrburyDental #SJSeaDogs lineup.#AlwaysWearYourMouthGuard pic.twitter.com/7WpyYacPwc

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) March 4, 2018

SCRATCHES
The Sea Dogs were without forwards William Poirier (suspension), Yohan Plamondon (upper body), Matt Green (upper body), Landon Quinney (upper body) and Nicholas Deakin-Poot (upper body); and defenceman Brendan O’Reilly (lower body).

NOTES
William Poirier served the second and final game of his two-game suspension... Saint John has scored first in back-to-back games, which has been rare this season... Nathan Larose has goals in back-to-back games... the Titan set a franchise record for shots in a game with 66... the 31 shots recorded by the Titan in the second period was the most recorded by any team in a period this season... another good crowd of 5,506 (announced) on hand.

NEXT GAME
The Sea Dogs continue their five-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Charlottetown Islanders.