Recap: Sea Dogs win 5-0

FINAL: Saint John 5, Moncton 0

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

MONCTON - The Saint John Sea Dogs had little trouble with the Moncton Wildcats on Saturday at Avenir Centre.

Josh Lawrence scored twice and added an assist to guide the Sea Dogs to a 5-0 victory. William Dufour had a goal and three helpers while Charlie DesRoches and Peter Reynolds also scored. Raivis Ansons added three assists.

Thomas Couture stopped all 20 shots he faced to record a shutout against his former team.

The Sea Dogs led just 1-0 after an uneventful first period but took control of the game in the second frame, scoring three times. Saint John outshot Moncton 24-10 in the final two periods and 36-20 overall.

Former Sea Dog Jonathan Lemieux made 31 stops in the loss.

The Sea Dogs are really rolling right now. They've now won seven straight games and have picked up at least a point in eight straight.

LINEUP

Burns - Lawrence - Dufour

Trenholm - Daoust - Francis

Ansons - MacDonald - Bezeau

Picard - Reynolds - Blagden

Poirier - DesRoches

Drapeau - Villeneuve

Sevigny - Despont

Couture

Hurtubise

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without goaltender Noah Patenaude (injury); defenseman Yan Kuznetsov (injury); and forwards Marshall Lessard (injury) and Jacob Chantler (healthy).

BACK IN ACTION: Forward Nicholas Blagden returned from a 10-game suspension and took Jacob Chantler's spot in the lineup. He recorded three shots and two hits in the game. This was the first time Blagden played against his former team.

DUFOUR: William Dufour netted his league-leading 42nd goal of the season in the first period. The goal moves Dufour into a tie with Scott Howes for fourth most goals scored by a Sea Dog in a single season. The goal also gives Dufour eight against the Wildcats in just four games this year.

What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything? Not sure, but Dufour just hit 42 goals on the season! 🚨#CityofChampions pic.twitter.com/1xr5hTP9UL

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) March 12, 2022

LAWRENCE: Josh Lawrence just keeps on piling up points. Lawrence extended his point streak to seven games with a goal in the second period. He also added a second goal and an assist in the contest. Lawrence now has 21 goals on the season, breaking his previous career high of 19.

CALLED OFF: Saint John had two goals called off in this game. The first was in the second period when Connor Trenholm redirected a shot with a high stick. The second came in the third period when a Brady Burns goal was called back due to apparent goaltender interference from Ryan Francis.

BIG FIGHT: Quite a tilt between Vincent Despont and Maxim Barbashev in the third period.

Old school knuckle chucking tilt at the Avenir between Barbs and Despont!! @MBarbashev @Barbashev2295 #DefendTheDen #WildcatsXXV #Wildcats25 #SJvsMON pic.twitter.com/NmEWgFN38F

— 🎙Wildcast Podcast 🎧 (@MonctonWildcast) March 13, 2022

SHUTOUT: Thomas Couture, still wearing a Wildcats mask, made 20 saves to earn his first career QMJHL shutout. He is now 2-0 against his old club this season.

NOTES: Vincent Despont remained in the lineup with Yan Kuznetsov missing a second straight game with an injury... William Dufour had nine shots... Moncton edged Saint John in faceoffs, winning 33 of 65... this was Saint John's second shutout win of the season... attendance was 4,211... the Sea Dogs and Wildcats meet again on Saturday at TD Station.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs host the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday night at 7 p.m.