Recap: Sea Dogs lose 4-2

FINAL: Moncton 4, Saint John 2

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs let another game slip away late in the third period on Saturday.

Vincent Collard broke a 2-2 tie at 15:52 of the third period, giving the Moncton Wildcats a 3-2 lead. Julius Sumpf added an empty net goal to make it a 4-2 win for the Wildcats over the Sea Dogs at TD Station.

Joseph Ianniello had tied the game earlier in the third period. Saint John has struggled late in third periods at times this season — especially on home ice. Just last weekend, the Sea Dogs let two games slip away by allowing late third period goals against the Cape Breton Eagles.

Saint John remains winless at TD Station despite having some decent showings. Playing a full 60 minutes on home ice has proven to be a struggle.

Thomas Auger and Yoan Loshing also scored for Moncton. Rookie Keegan Warren, a 14th-round pick of the Wildcats in 2021, made 27 saves to earn his first QMJHL win.

Pavel Simek scored Saint John's other goal. Patrick Leaver made 30 stops in the loss.

LINEUP

Mateiko - Reynolds - Reinhart

Simek - Elie - Benoit

Laforge - Akkouche - Benoit

Pierre-Noel - Beaulieu

Tivey - Gauthier

Bilodeau - Ianniello

Dassylva - Amyot

MacLean

Leaver

Robinson

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without defenseman Matteo Mann (injury) and forwards Chad Bellemare (injury), Sam-Luca Thifault (injury) and Reid Calder (injury).

HOME WOES: The loss dropped the Sea Dogs to 0-2-1-1 on home ice this season. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are a perfect 4-0-0-0 on the road.

NOTES: This was the first meeting of the season — including pre-season — between the Sea Dogs and Wildcats... the only change to Saint John's lineup was Kency Pierre-Noel, who was listed as injured or sick on Friday, replacing Reid Calder on the fourth line... Wildcats rookie Shawn Carrier was out with an injury... Pierre-Noel's assist on Joseph Ianniello's goal was his first QMJHL point... Pavel Simek had six shots... Mathis Gauthier was a -4... tickets for the game were $7. Attendance was 3,467.

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs hit the road and face the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Thursday at 8 p.m.