Recap: Sea Dogs lose 4-3

FINAL: Saint John 3, Moncton 4

MONCTON - The Saint John Sea Dogs came close but could not edge the Moncton Wildcats on Friday night at Avenir Centre.

Despite being heavily outshot for most of the night, Zachary Bouthillier gave the Sea Dogs a chance which resulted in a 4-3 Wildcats win. Bouthillier made 45 stops in the loss.

The Sea Dogs didn't play a bad game but were definitely outmatched by the Wildcats for the majority of the game. Bouthillier made several key saves throughout the contest to keep it close.

The Wildcats clearly haven't clicked yet, which is understandable given the amount of additions they made during the QMJHL trading period. Some of their top players weren't overly visible in this game. They'll get things rolling at some point - but the Sea Dogs will hope that happens after Saturday night's rematch.

Mika Cyr, Jared McIsaac, Benoit-Olivier Groulx and Liam Leonard scored for Moncton. Olivier Rodrigue made 23 stops in the win.

Dawson Stairs, Jeremie Poirier and Jeffrey Durocher scored for Saint John.

LINEUP

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without forward Ben Badalamenti (lower body) and Alexandre O'Neill (healthy) along with defenseman Kale McCallum (healthy). O'Niell was recalled this week from the QJAAAHL's West Island Shamrocks.

FIRST POINT: Anderson MacDonald recorded his first point as a Sea Dog, assisting on Jeremie Poirier's goal. MacDonald is a former member of the Wildcats.

WELCOME BACK: Sea Dogs defenseman Jeremie Poirier made it back from the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, which took place last night in Hamilton, in time to play in this game. It's a good thing he did as the offensive defenseman tied the game at 2-2 with his 12th goal of the season in the second period. Poirier finished the game with a goal and two assists.

POINTLESS: Maxim Cajkovic's return from the world juniors is off to a slow start. He has yet to record a point since returning from the tournament, being held pointless in each of his past four games.

NOTES: Star Wildcats rookie Zachary L'Heureux was a healthy scratch... defenseman Jared McIsaac recorded his first goal as a Wildcat... Jeffrey Durocher ended a two-game pointless streak... Alexander Khovanov was not happy about being given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the third period and tried to break his stick on the ice.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs and Wildcats meet again tomorrow night at TD Station.