RECAP: Sea Dogs win 1-0

FINAL: Moncton 0, Saint John 1

SAINT JOHN - Mikhail Denisov led the Saint John Sea Dogs to an upset win over one of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's top teams on Sunday.

Denisov made 34 saves in a 1-0 shutout victory over the Moncton Wildcats at Harbour Station. Shots were significantly lopsided in favour of Moncton for the duration of the game. Shots were 34-11 overall - and 27-6 through the first 40 minutes.

The overage netminder made his first start since Dec. 12 and registered his second win as a Sea Dog. This was his seventh career shutout.

Nicholas Deakin-Poot scored Saint John's only game - which came in a first period that saw the Wildcats outshoot the Sea Dogs 17-2.

The Sea Dogs had a glorious opportunity to add on some insurance in the third period when Moncton's Tristan DeJong was given a five-minute major for tackling Robbie Burt. The Dogs couldn't tack on another goal though - but it ended up not mattering. Shots were 7-5 in favour of the Dogs in the final frame due to the man advantage time.

Moncton goaltender Francis Leclerc made 10 saves in the loss.

The Sea Dogs have now won back-to-back games and three of their past four.

LINEUP

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without Alex D'Orio; forwards Josh Lawrence (sick), Anthony Boucher (awaiting trade) and Yohan Plamondon (injured); and defenseman Carson Gallant.

NOTES: Alex D'Orio did not dress for Saint John... defenseman Benjamin Gagne, acquired in a trade this weekend, made his Sea Dogs debut. He was paired with William Villeneuve.. with Anthony Boucher no longer with the team, Michael Campoli has been named Saint John's captain. Gagne and William Poirier each wore an 'A' on their sweater on Sunday... affiliate defenseman Patrick Musico was the team's final scratch on Sunday... Saint John now has two wins against Moncton this season.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs host the Charlottetown Islanders in a New Year's Eve afternoon game at Harbour Station. Game time is 2 p.m.