Notebook: Lawrence close to team record

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

WINNIPEG - Josh Lawrence has quietly climbed up the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League points leader board.

Lawrence enters action Sunday sitting seventh in league scoring with 75 points. His 54 assists in second only to Sherbrooke's Joshua Roy who leads the circuit with 56. Lawrence posted four helpers in Saint John's 8-3 victory over the Moncton Wildcats on Friday.

The Fredericton native has a good shot at breaking the franchise record for most assists in one season. The record currently belongs to Jonathan Huberdeau who recorded 62 in 2010-11.

Lawrence's 54 assists this season place him in a tie with Michael Kirkpatrick (2009-10) for fifth in team history.

WINNING STREAK

The Sea Dogs' winning streak came to an end at 10 games this past week in Charlottetown.

The 10-gamer ties this year's squad with the 2010-11 team for the fourth longest winning streak in franchise history. This was the first time Saint John had won 10 of more games consecutively since the 2011-12 season.

The franchise record remains 22 straight wins, set in 2009-10 - a record that will likely never be broken.

SUSPENSION

Moncton's Joachim Matulu was suspended two games by the QMJHL for his high stick on Saint John's William Villeneuve in Tuesday's game.

5 minute major, game misconduct & match penalty for Moncton Wildcats Joachim Matulu on Saint John Sea Dogs William Villeneuve. #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/E7BB8wAf6R

— Denis Leblanc (@DenisL_1981) March 23, 2022

Villeneuve was not injured on the play. Matulu was given a five minute major penalty and game misconduct.

Matulu, an affiliate player with the Wildcats, has appeared in just one QMJHL game this season. He has spent most of the year with the MHL's Grand Falls Rapids.

HARD TO PLAY

In the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game media guide, Moncton Wildcats forward Maxim Barbashev listed Sea Dogs defenseman Yan Kuznetsov as his "most difficult opponent."

The 40 players selected for the CHL top prospects game were asked who was "the most difficult opponent" they've played against. Here is a tally of their responses. pic.twitter.com/dZyROD1tFx

— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) March 22, 2022

JOSEPH DEBUTS

Mathieu Joseph has debuted with his new club, recording one assist in his first three games with the Ottawa Senators.

His first point came on Thursday night in Winnipeg, setting up this Tyler Ennis goal.

TYLER ENNIS! 🚨

Sens take the lead! Ennis' 8th. Great pass from Mathieu Joseph for his first point as a Sen. pic.twitter.com/QWZcebzhDG

— Lalime's Martian (@LalimesMartian) March 25, 2022

Before being traded to Ottawa, the 25-year-old had eight goals and 10 assists in 58 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

THEEDE JOINS THUNDERBIRDS

With the Saint Mary's Huskies season now over, former Sea Dogs forward Dawson Theede has officially been added to the Halifax Thunderbirds' (yes, the lacrosse team) active roster.

We have signed Dawson Theede to the active roster
In addition, we have released Kyle Jackson from the active roster

We wish Kyle and his family the best, and thank him for his time with the organization pic.twitter.com/ggsGAqxn7B

— Halifax Thunderbirds (@HFXThunderbirds) March 24, 2022

The Huskies were eliminated in the second round of the Atlantic University Sport playoffs last Sunday. Theede finished the season with three goals and two assists in 16 games.

The Thunderbirds acquired the 24-year-old from the Panther City Lacrosse Club a couple weeks ago. Theede recorded four goals and an assist in the Thunderbirds' 16-11 loss in Buffalo on Saturday.

The Chronicle Herald had a story this week on the two-sport athlete.

Theede played in 24 games with Saint John during the 2015-16 season, recording a goal and two assists.

CONTEST WINNER

OTHER THINGS

• With 44 goals, William Dufour now sits third in Sea Dogs history for most goals in a single season. He only has Mike Hoffman (46) and Danick Gauthier (47) to pass.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Joshua Roy has tied Felix Robert's Sherbrooke Phoenix franchise record for most points in a single season with 92.
• The field for the 2022 University Cup, set to be played next week in Wolfville, is now set: UNB, StFX, Acadia, UQTR, Brock, Ryerson, Alberta and UBC. The tournament begins Thursday.
• I watched the Winnipeg Ice defeat the Prince Albert Raiders 6-2 last night. Winnipeg outshot the Raiders 14-1 in the second period. The Ice currently sits first in the WHL's Eastern Conference with a 46-9-3-2 record. This is a team we could see in Saint John in June.