The Wildcats, who were winless in three tries in Saint John this season, fired a franchise record 69 nice shots on goal in a dominant 7-4 win over the Sea Dogs on Saturday night.
The Sea Dogs managed to grab a 3-0 lead in the first period - scoring on their first two shots of the game - but watched that lead slowly slip away. The Wildcats scored twice in the first and three times in the second to stay in front for good.
Saint John was simply outmatched by a superior hockey club. The Wildcats, who loaded up during the holiday trading period, look like they are on their way clicking as a group. The next few meetings between the two could be just as lopsided.
Gabriel Fortier and Jordan Spence both scored two goals for Moncton while singles came from Alexander Khovanov, Philippe Daoust and Benoit-Olivier Groulx. Olivier Rodrigue made 26 saves in the win.
Saint John had a pair of goals from Jeffrey Durocher and solo markers from Matt Gould and Dawson Stairs. Zachary Bouthillier made 46 stops in the first 40 minutes and Noah Patenaude 16 in the third.
The Sea Dogs website has a full game recap.
LINEUP
SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without forwards Ben Badalamenti (lower body) and Alexandre O'Neill (healthy) along with defenseman Brendan Sibley (healthy).Here's tonight's projected Sea Dogs lineup, brought to you by @CantrburyDental. #AlwaysWearYourMouthGuard pic.twitter.com/L6R3aQJaxv— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) January 18, 2020
DROUGHT ENDS: Maxim Cajkovic finally ended his pointless streak by setting up Jeffrey Durocher's first period goal. Cajkovic had been held pointless in all four games he had played since returning from the World Junior Hockey Championship.
BIG FIRST: The Wildcats recorded 28 shots in the first period, the most by any team in a single period this season. The previous high was 26 shots. Saint John recorded 26 shots all game on Friday night in Moncton.
WILD FIRST: On top of the Wildcats recording 28 shots, both teams scored shorthanded goals and Saint John had a power play goal in what was one of the most eventful periods of the season.
PERIOD OFF: The Sea Dogs opted to give Zachary Bouthillier a breather, replacing him with Noah Patenaude to start the third period. Bouthillier faced 51 shots in the first 40 minutes after facing 49 the night before.
EMPTY NET: The Sea Dogs made a rare move in the third, pulling their goaltender down 7-4 and heading to a power play with 3:31 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, William Villeneuve was quickly called for a penalty, ending the man advantage.
SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS: Moncton's 69 shots on goal set a new Wildcats team record for shots in a single game (the previous was 68, set in 2005-06) while the Sea Dogs set a new team record for most shots allowed in a game (the previous record was 66, set in 2017-18).
NOTES: The Sea Dogs honoured Wildcats players Alexander Khovanov, Jared McIsaac and Olivier Rodrigue before the game for their participation in the World Junior Hockey Championship... Matt Gould had a goal and an assist... Jordan Spadafore and Sean Stewart dropped the gloves in the third period.
HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs take on the Gatineau Olympiques on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at TD Station.
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