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Thursday, November 30, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs win 7-4

FINAL: Saint John 7, Moncton 4
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
MONCTON - The Saint John Sea Dogs' hottest players stayed hot in a 7-4 upset win over the Moncton Wildcats on Thursday at Avenir Centre.

Saint John got out to a quick start, scoring twice in the first 4:18 of the game, and continued to press throughout the opening frame, leading 4-1 after 20 minutes.

Moncton scored at 6:12 of the second period but Saint John ended any momentum shift with a goal at 8:00, making it 5-2.

The third was feeling like a Moncton comeback for a bit. The Wildcats scored just 1:34 in on a power play to get within two and were outshooting Saint John by a large margin for the first half of the period. But a Kency Pierre-Noel goal at 10:30 restored Saint John's three-goal lead and pretty much ended any chance of a Moncton comeback.

Peter Reynolds, who had yet another hat trick, Vince Elie, who recorded a goal and two assists, and Eriks Mateiko, who registered a goal, continued their strong play of late. Noah Reinhart also had a goal and two helpers for Saint John.

Patrick Leaver made 32 saves in the win.

Moncton goals came from Oscar Plandowski, Thomas Auger, Julius Sumpf and Alex Mercier. Keegan Warren was pulled after allowing four goals on eight shots while Jacob Steinman allowed two goals on 20 shots in relief.

Game Day 26: at Moncton

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs make a quick trip up the highway tonight to face the Moncton Wildcats.

The Sea Dogs are coming off one of their biggest wins of the season on Sunday, shutting out the Val-d'Or Foreurs 6-0 at TD Station. The Sea Dogs have had a fairly solid stretch of games recently as November nears an end.

The Wildcats' play has been hot-and-cold this season but they still sit third overall in the QMJHL standings.

Game time tonight at Avenir Centre is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/None/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 9-13-1-2 for 21 points (sixth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/14th QMJHL) while the Wildcats are 17-6-1-1 for 36 points (second Maritimes/third Eastern/third QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-0 win over the Val-d'Or Foreurs on Sunday. Eriks Mateiko scored twice for Saint John while singles came from Vince Elie, Pavel Simek, Peter Reynolds and Nicolas Bilodeau. Justin Robinson made 21 saves in the win. The Wildcats are coming off a 4-0 home loss to the Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday. Jacob Steinman made 23 saves in the loss.

Monday, November 27, 2023

Thifault joins QJHL's Braves

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
Sam-Luca Thifault hads joined the Valleyfield Braves of the Quebec Junior Hockey League.

The 18-year-old forward joins the Braves after appearing in just six games with the Saint John Sea Dogs this season.

Thifault began the season late with the Sea Dogs following off-season surgery, making his debut on Nov. 4. He recorded one assist in six games after registering 10 points (three goals and seven assists) in 39 games with the club last year.

The Vaudreul, Quebec native has appeared in two games with the Braves already, being held pointless. He was a territorial pick of the Braves in 2022.

Thifault was being used as a bottom six forward and the move creates a bit more room for Saint John's forward depth. There's no doubt some moves are coming — big or small — when the QMJHL's trading period begins in less than a month.

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs win 6-0

FINAL: Val-d'Or 0, Saint John 6
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs' top line was clicking in a 6-0 win over the Val-d'Or Foreurs on Sunday afternoon at TD Station.

Eriks Mateiko (two goals and two assists), Peter Reynolds (one goal and three assists) and Pavel Simek (one goal) all had strong games to lead Saint John to a win over the last-place Foreurs. Vince Elie and Nicolas Bilodeau also scored in the victory while Justin Robinson made 21 saves to earn his first career QMJHL shutout.

Mathis Lussier made 22 saves in the loss.

It was an uninspiring first period performance by the Sea Dogs but a late goal from Elie, which came on a two-on-one with Mateiko, gave Saint John a 1-0 lead.

Mateiko scored just 18 seconds into the second, firing a one-time shot that was set up by Peter Reynolds.

Simek scored on a shorthanded breakaway at 12:18 of the second to put Saint John up 3-0. Then, on a power play, Reynolds scored a buzzer-beater to give the Sea Dogs a 4-0 advantage.

Mateiko scored his second of the game one-minute into the third, finishing off a nice passing play. The goal came on a power play that was awarded to Saint John after the Foreurs showed up late to start the period.

Bilodeau scored from the circle at 12:05 to make it a 6-0 final.

Overall, it was the kind of performance you would hope the Sea Dogs would have against a struggling Foreurs squad that was playing the final game of a three-game road trip. It was also a rare home win for Saint John, who have now collected four victories at TD Station this season.

Game Day 25: vs Foreurs

SAINT JOHN - After taking on one of the QMJHL's top teams last night, the Saint John Sea Dogs will face the last-place Val-d'Or Foreurs this afternoon.

The Foreurs sit last overall in the QMJHL standings with a 7-16-0-1 record. They've lost all the momentum they generated from a hot start to the season, which included victories in five of their first seven games. They've won two times since that stretch.

Val-d'Or is coming off an overtime win in Charlottetown last night, their first victory since Nov. 11. Today's game will end a three-in-three trip for the Foreurs that also included a Friday night stop in Bathurst.

Game time at TD Station is 3 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 8-13-1-2 for 19 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/15th QMJHL) while the Foreurs are 7-16-0-1 for 15 points (fourth West/eighth Western/18th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies last night. Patrick Leaver made 30 saves in the loss. The Foreurs are coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Charlottetown last night. Alexandre Guy, Nathan Baril and Tomas Cibulka scored for the Foreurs. Emile Beaunoyer made 34 saves in the win.

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 4-0

FINAL: Rouyn-Noranda 4, Saint John 0
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
SAINT JOHN
- The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies looked very much like the much-hyped Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Saturday at TD Station.

The Huskies controlled the play most of the night in a 4-0 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs. It was the final meeting of the season between the Sea Dogs and Huskies with Rouyn-Noranda winning both and outscoring Saint John 8-0.

Antonin Verreault, Benjamin Brunelle, Alex Carr and Bill Zonnon scored for Rouyn-Noranda. Kyle Hagen made 15 saves in the shutout win.

Shots ended 34-15 in favour of the Huskies with Saint John registering just four dangerous chances. The Sea Dogs were given very few legitimate chances to score — even on four power play opportunities.

The loss ended a two-game winning streak for Saint John — but both of those wins happened on the road last weekend. The Sea Dogs are now just 3-8-1-1 on home ice this season.

Game Day 24: vs Huskies

SAINT JOHN - A big test awaits the Saint John Sea Dogs tonight.

The Sea Dogs face the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies at 7 p.m. at TD Station. The Huskies loaded up during the off-season and are considered to be one of the favourites to win the QMJHL championship this season.

Rouyn-Noranda sits first in the Western Conference with a 13-6-1-3 record and are coming off a wild 6-5 loss in Moncton last night, a game that saw them rebound after a rough first period.

The Sea Dogs are coming off a strong Quebec road trip that saw them come home with back-to-back wins. We'll see what kind of momentum they can carry into tonight's contest.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 8-12-1-2 for 19 points (fifth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/14th QMJHL) while the Huskies are 13-6-1-3 for 30 points (first West/first Western/fourth QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-3 win in Rimouski last Sunday. Peter Reynolds netted a hat trick for Saint John while Eriks Mateiko, Vince Elie and Pavel Simek scored for Saint John. Patrick Leaver made 26 saves in the win. The Huskies are coming off a 6-5 loss in Moncton last night. Andrei Loshko, Mathis Perron, Drew Lutz, Daniil Bourash and Antonin Verreault scored for Rouyn-Noranda. William Rousseau made 28 saves in the loss.

Monday, November 20, 2023

Top Dogs running hot

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
Three more Saint John Sea Dogs players have reached double digits in goals.

Vince Elie (11), Eriks Mateiko (10) and Pavel Simek (10) all joined Peter Reynolds (13) in recent games. The team's top line of Simek - Reynolds - Mateiko has been excellent all season long and Elie has really elevated his game over the past few weeks.

Elie, in his second season with the Sea Dogs, now has 22 points in 22 games this season, nearly reaching his point total of 27 from all of last season.

Elie has points in five straight contests, recording a total of five goals and four assists.

With a hat trick in Sunday's 6-3 Sea Dogs win, Reynolds was named the CHL's first star of the night and named to the QMJHL's team of the week. The Sea Dog captain recorded three goals and three assists during Saint John's Quebec road trip this week.
Oddly, Reynolds hadn't scored since his last hat trick — which came on Nov. 3 against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. 

Reynolds' linemates also had solid road trips. Mateiko had two goals and an assist while Simek had a goal and an assist.

Sea Dogs defenseman Joseph Ianniello, meanwhile, was also named to the QMJHL team of the week after registering five assists in three games.

The Sea Dogs, 8-12-1-2, host the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, 13-5-1-3, on Saturday night at TD Station.

Recap: Sea Dogs win 6-3

FINAL: Saint John 6, Rimouski 3
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
RIMOUSKI, Que. - The Saint John Sea Dogs are heading home with a pair of wins.

The Sea Dogs earned their second victory on this three-game Quebec road trip on Sunday, defeating the Rimouski Oceanic 6-2.

Peter Reynolds led the way with a hat trick and a pair of assists. Two of his goals came in the third period just over five minutes apart, which gave the Sea Dogs a 5-3 lead at the time.

Eriks Mateiko, Vince Elie and Pavel Simek also scored for Saint John while Joseph Ianniello added three assists. Patrick Leaver made some big saves at times and earned the victory in net.

Jacob Mathieu, Mael St-Denis and Alexandre Blais scored for Rimouski. Vincent Filion made 16 saves in the loss.

The Sea Dogs come home with four of a possible six points on their trip, earning wins in Chicoutimi and Rimouski. They fell 6-2 in Baie-Comeau on Thursday night — but even that was a respectable performance given the opponent.

The question now is: can the Sea Dogs keep this momentum going? They will face a big test on home ice Saturday, hosting the powerhouse Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Game Day 23: at Rimouski

RIMOUSKI, Que. - The Saint John Sea Dogs conclude their road trip this afternoon in Rimouski.

It's been a decent trip so far for the Sea Dogs, who had a respectable showing in a 6-2 loss to the league-leading Baie-Comeau Drakkar on Thursday and followed that up with a 3-2 overtime win Friday in Chicoutimi.

The Sea Dogs will look to build off that overtime win — which ended a five-game road losing streak — today against the Oceanic.

Game time is 4 p.m. Atlantic.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/None/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 7-12-1-2 for 17 points (fifth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/15th QMJHL) while the Oceanic are 11-9-2-0 for 24 points (second East/fourth Eastern/eighth QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-2 overtime win in Chicoutimi on Friday. Vince Elie scored a pair of goals while Mathis Gauthier added a single. Justin Robinson made 29 saves in the win. The Oceanic are coming off a 5-0 loss in Sherbrooke on Thursday. Cedric Masse made 30 saves in the loss.

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs win 3-2 (OT)

FINAL: Saint John 3, Chicoutimi 2 (OT)
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
CHICOUTIMI, Que. - The Saint John Sea Dogs ended a five-game road losing streak on Friday night.

Vince Elie scored 37 seconds into overtime to give the Sea Dogs a 3-2 victory over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens at the Georges Vezina Centre.

Elie also opened the scoring at 2:15 of the first period. Chicoutimi scored twice in the second period to take a 2-1 lead into the final frame. Mathis Gauthier sent the match into overtime with a game-tying goal at 17:51 of the third.

Justin Robinson made 29 saves in the victory.

Emile Guite and Alexis Morin scored for Chicoutimi. Raphael Precourt made 27 stops in the loss.

Not only did the Sea Dogs end their road losing streak, but they did so against a team that is 9-2-1-0 on home ice this season.

Friday, November 17, 2023

Game Day 22: at Chicoutimi

CHICOUTIMI, Que. - The Saint John Sea Dogs continue their road trip tonight, facing the Chicoutimi Sagueneens at 8:30 p.m. Atlantic.

Both teams played last night with the Sea Dogs falling 6-2 to the first-place Baie-Comeau Drakkar and the Sagueneens defeating the lowly Gatineau Olympiques 4-1.

The Sags are still a young team — they picked four times in the first round of this year's QMJHL Entry Draft — and sit in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings. 

TV/Radio/Stream: None/None/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 6-12-1-2 for 15 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/16th QMJHL) while the Sagueneens are 10-9-1-2 for 23 points (third East/fifth Eastern/ninth QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-2 loss in Baie-Comeau last night. Eriks Mateiko and Nicolas Bilodeau scored for Saint John. Patrick Leaver made 32 saves in the loss. The Sagueneens are coming off 4-1 home win over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens last night. Peteris Bulans, Maxim Masse, Nathan Lecompte and Alexis Morin all scored for Chicoutimi. Raphael Precourt made 23 saves in the win.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 6-2

FINAL: Saint John 2, Baie-Comeau 6
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
BAIE-COMEAU, Que. - The Saint John Sea Dogs hung around for two periods but ultimately fell 6-2 to the first-place Baie-Comeau Drakkar on Thursday at the Henry Leonard Centre.

The Drakkar scored three times in the third after taking a 3-2 lead thanks to a late second period goal. Third periods have been a problem for the Sea Dogs of late, a common trait of young teams in junior hockey.

It was the Drakkar's big guns who led the way with Justin Gill — the QMJHL's leading scorer — netting a hat trick; Raoul Boilard scoring twice; and Jules Boilard adding a solo marker. Olivier Ciarlo made 19 saves in the win.

Eriks Mateiko and Nicolas Bilodeau scored for Saint John, who led 1-0 after the first period despite being outshot 18-9. Patrick Leaver made 32 saves in the loss.

Baie-Comeau is now an impressive 18-3-2-0 overall and 8-0-2-0 at home.

On paper, this was Saint John's toughest game of this road trip. The Sea Dogs visit Chicoutimi tomorrow and Rimouski on Sunday.

Game Day 21: at Baie-Comeau

BAIE-COMEAU, Que.
- Playing at the Henry Leonard Centre is challenging any year. Playing at the Henry Leonard Centre against the QMJHL's top team is even more difficult.

That's the task the Saint John Sea Dogs face tonight, visiting the league-leading Drakkar to begin a three-game Quebec road trip.

Baie-Comeau has been hot all year and has a 17-3-2-0 record. They are 7-0-2-0 on home ice. The Drakkar have scored 99 goals already this season, nearly 40 more than the Sea Dogs have.

Saint John will be put to the test tonight beginning at 8 p.m. Atlantic.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/None/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 6-11-1-2 for 15 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/16th QMJHL) while the Drakkar are 17-3-2-0 for 36 points (first East/first Eastern/first QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-1 home loss to the Cape Breton Eagles on Monday. Vince Elie scored Saint John's lone goal. Justin Robinson made 26 saves in the loss. The Drakkar are coming off a 6-3 home win over the Val-d'Or Foreurs on Sunday. Raoul Boilard scored a pair for Baie-Comeau while singles came from Jules Boilard, Justin Poirier, Julien Paille and Justin Gill. Philippe Bourdages made 13 saves in the win.

Monday, November 13, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 6-1

FINAL: Cape Breton 6, Saint John 1
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
SAINT JOHN - The Cape Breton Eagles, who have struggled to score goals of late, had little trouble scoring in the third period on Monday, leading the team to a 6-1 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs at TD Station.

The Eagles scored five times in the third period (with one being an empty netter) to break a 1-1 tie. The game-winner, which came just 36 seconds into the third, was scored during a five-on-three power play.

Monday's third period was the exact opposite of Sunday's game, which saw the Sea Dogs defeat the Charlottetown Islanders 5-2. Saint John killed off six minutes worth of penalties to start off the third and then scored three times to earn the victory.

Brayden Schmitt, Cam MacDonald, Olivier Houde, Luke Patterson, Cam Squires and Callum Aucoin all scored for Cape Breton. Jakub Milota made 26 saves in the win.

Vince Elie scored Saint John's lone goal. Justin Robinson made 26 saves in the loss.

The Eagles opened the scoring at 11:55 of the second period when Schmitt pinched in from the blue line and threw the puck on net where it was pushed through a scramble and then the pads of Robinson. The play was reviewed but called a good goal.

Saint John tied it just 33 seconds later — or so they thought. Danny Akkouche had the puck behind the goal line and found an open Noah Reinhart in front who netted his ninth of the season. The play was also reviewed and was called back due to a high stick on the play.

The Sea Dogs went to a power play at 12:56 and would tie things up this time. Elie received a bouncing puck at the blue line, got around an Eagles defender and beat Milota with a backhand shot at 13:38.

Peter Reynolds took a hooking penalty and Nate Tivey was called for a slash on the same play at 19:49 of the second period. Just 36 seconds into the third, MacDonald put in a rebound to give Cape Breton a 2-1 lead. Then, at even strength, Houde scored from the slot at 2:06 to quickly make it 3-1.

Patterson made it 4-1 at 12:07, getting around a Saint John defender at the blue line before firing a perfect shot top corner on Robinson.

The Sea Dogs had some chances late in the game — including some on a power play — but could not connect. Squires scored into an empty net with 3:13 remaining and Aucoin scored with 27 seconds remaining to make it a 6-1 final.

Game Day 20: vs Eagles

SAINT JOHN - It's been a busy but fairly successful few days for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs dropped a hard fought 4-2 contest to the top-ranked Halifax Mooseheads on Friday and followed that up with a 5-2 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders yesterday afternoon, which ended a three-game losing streak.

Saint John will look to keep things rolling this afternoon in a rare holiday Monday 2 p.m. matchup against the Cape Breton Eagles at TD Station. This afternoon's game will include the much hyped Taylor Swift tribute act performing at both intermissions.

This is the second game of an odd Sunday-Monday-Tuesday three-in-three road trip for the Eagles. They fell 4-0 in Halifax yesterday.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 6-10-1-2 for 15 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL) while the Eagles are 10-10-0-0 for 20 points (third Maritimes/sixth Eastern/10th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-2 home win over the Charlottetown Islanders yesterday. Pavel Simek scored twice for Saint John while singles came from Vince Elie, Noah Reinhart and Eriks Mateiko. Patrick Leaver made 29 saves in the win. The Eagles are coming off a 4-0 loss in Halifax yesterday. Nicolas Ruccia made 26 saves in the loss.

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs win 5-2

FINAL: Charlottetown 2, Saint John 5
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
SAINT JOHN - A trio of third period goals led the Saint John Sea Dogs to a 5-2 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders on Sunday at TD Station.

Eriks Mateiko gave the Sea Dogs a 3-2 lead at 11:34 of the third. Then at 13:59, Pavel Simek sped into the offensive zone on a breakaway and slid the puck under Islanders netminder Carter Bickle, making it 4-2. Simek added an empty netter with 57.2 seconds remaining to make it a 5-2 final.

The goals came after the Sea Dogs killed off six minutes worth of Charlottetown power play time earlier in the third. Saint John kept the league's best power play scoreless on five opportunities.

Vince Elie and Noah Reinhart also scored for the Sea Dogs, who ended a three-game losing streak. Elie had two assists as well. Patrick Leaver made 29 saves in the win.

Saint John never trailed in this game but Charlottetown certainly grabbed momentum and controlled the play at times. The Sea Dogs bent but didn't break, building off a strong showing on Friday against the top-ranked Halifax Mooseheads.

Shots in the game ended 31-22 in favour of the Islanders.

Ondrej Maruna and Cole Huckins scored for Charlottetown. Bickle made 17 saves in the loss.

Game Day 19: vs Islanders

SAINT JOHN - A busy stretch of home games continues this afternoon for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

After a fairly solid showing in a 4-2 loss to the top-ranked Halifax Mooseheads on Friday, the Sea Dogs host the Charlottetown Islanders at 3 p.m. at TD Station.

The Islanders, like the Sea Dogs, are in the early stages of a rebuild — but Charlottetown has gotten off to a better start this season, posting a 9-9-0-0 record so far. Today's game might give a better indication of just where Saint John's play is at right now.

Following this game, the Sea Dogs are back at it again tomorrow afternoon, hosting the Cape Breton Eagles.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 5-10-1-2 for 13 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL) while the Islanders are 9-9-0-0 for 18 points (fourth Maritimes/seventh Eastern/11th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-2 loss the Halifax Mooseheads on Friday. Nate Tivey and Pavel Simek scored for Saint John. Patrick Leaver made 25 saves in the loss. The Islanders are coming off a 6-5 shootout win over the Moncton Wildcats on Friday. Cole Huckins, Alexis Michaud, Michael Horth, Ross Campbell and Marcus Kearsey scored for the Islanders. Aksels Ozols allowed five goals on 13 shots while Carter Bickle stopped all 14 he faced in relief. 

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 4-2

FINAL: Halifax 4, Saint John 2
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
SAINT JOHN -  The Saint John Sea Dogs hung around but couldn't defeat the top-ranked Halifax Mooseheads on Friday night at TD Station.

Jordan Dumais scored twice and added an assist to lift the Mooseheads — ranked No. 1 in the Canadian Hockey League — to a 4-2 win. Brody Fournier and Mathieu Cataford also scored while Mathis Rousseau made 23 saves in the win.

Halifax outshot Saint John 14-4 in the first period and led 2-0. The rest of the match was played much more evenly but the Sea Dogs couldn't cut the deficit further than two goals. Shots ended 29-25 in favour of Halifax, an indication of how the final two periods were played.

While it was a loss, the Sea Dogs competed well and kept it close — which is pretty much all you can ask for in a lopsided matchup like this.

Nate Tivey and Pavel Simek scored for Saint John. Peter Reynolds added two assists. Patrick Leaver made 25 stops in the loss. 

Friday, November 10, 2023

Game Day 18: vs Mooseheads

SAINT JOHN - It's nearly mid-November and the Saint John Sea Dogs and Halifax Mooseheads will meet for the first time this season tonight at TD Station.

It certainly looks like a mismatch on paper: the Mooseheads, winners of five straight, sit third overall in the league standings while the Sea Dogs, 3-6-0-1 in their last 10 games, sit way down in 16th.

A strong showing by the Sea Dogs tonight would certainly be a confidence boost. Saint John has struggled on home ice and is coming off a rough 7-3 loss to the Sherbrooke Phoenix last Sunday.

Game time tonight is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 5-9-1-2 for 13 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/16th QMJHL) while the Mooseheads are 13-4-1-0 for 27 points (second Maritimes/third Eastern/third QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 7-3 loss to the Sherbrooke Phoenix on Sunday. Matteo Mann, Eriks Mateiko and Egan Beveridge scored for Saint John. Patrick Leaver was pulled after allowing four goals on 11 shots. Justin Robinson allowed three goals on 11 shots in relief. The Mooseheads are coming off a 5-1 win over the Phoenix on Saturday. Jordan Dumais scored a pair of goals for Halifax while singles came from Lou Levesque, Braeden MacPhee and Mathieu Cataford. Mathis Rousseau made 25 saves in the win.

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 7-3

FINAL: Sherbrooke 7, Saint John 3
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs' home woes continued on Sunday at TD Station.

A week after falling 6-1 to the rebuilding Quebec Remparts, the Sea Dogs fell 7-3 to the also rebuilding Sherbrooke Phoenix on home ice.

Saint John is just 2-5-1-1 on home ice this season. Both of their home wins have come against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

This was Saint John's third game in three nights and it looked like it at times, allowing seven goals against a Sherbrooke team that is averaging just 2.80 goals per game, the second fewest in the league.

Mavrick Lachance and Israรซl Mianscum each scored a pair of goals for Sherbrooke while Lewis Gendron, Coen Miller and Alexis Doucet added singles. Mathys Routhier, Sherbrooke's backup goaltender, made 32 saves in the win.

Matteo Mann, Eriks Mateiko and Egan Beveridge scored for Saint John. Patrick Leaver was pulled in the second period after allowing four goals on 11 shots. Justin Robinson allowed three goals on 11 shots the rest of the way.

The Sea Dogs trailed 2-1 after the opening period after Gendron broke a tie with a power play goal at 13:04.

Mateiko tied the game early in the second period but then the Phoenix took control. Lachance scored at 4:23 and then Miller gave the Phoenix a two-goal lead at 9:11, ending Leaver's day in net.

Beveridge got Saint John back within one at 10:01, taking advantage a perfect bounce off the backboards. Late in the frame, Mianscum fired the puck under Robinson to restore Sherbrooke's two-goal lead heading into intermission.

Sherbrooke took a 6-3 lead at 6:08 when Mianscum beat Robinson with a point shot while on a power play. Just 18 seconds later, Doucet scored to make it 7-3.

Saint John pulled Robinson a couple times late in the game in an attempt to get back in it but couldn't beat Routhier a fourth time.

Game Day 16: vs Phoenix

SAINT JOHN
- The Saint John Sea Dogs conclude a three-in-three weekend this afternoon at TD Station.

After splitting a home-and-home with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, the Sea Dogs welcome the Sherbrooke Phoenix to town for a 3 p.m. puck drop.

After reaching the semifinals last year, the Phoenix are beginning a rebuild — but they have been one of the more surprising teams in the league this season. Sherbrooke sports a 9-6-0-1 record to place them in the middle of the Western Conference and had a three-game winning streak end last night in Halifax.

It hasn't been the greatest of showings from the Sea Dogs this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how they perform in this final game of a three-in-three against an opponent they rarely see.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 5-8-1-2 for 13 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/16th QMJHL) while the Phoenix are 9-6-0-1 for 19 points (third Central/fourth Western/seventh QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-4 loss in Bathurst yesterday afternoon. Pavel Simek scored twice while Noah Reinhart and Jacob Beaulieu added singles. Justin Robinson made 33 saves in the loss. The Phoenix are coming off a 5-1 loss in Halifax last night. Lewis Gendron scored Sherbrooke's lone goal. Samuel St-Hilaire made 24 saves in the loss.

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 5-4

FINAL: Saint John 4, Bathurst 5
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
SAINT JOHN - A night after surviving a five-minute major penalty called against them, the Saint John Sea Dogs couldn't do the same on Saturday in Bathurst.

With the Sea Dogs up 4-3 on the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, Sam-Luca Thifault was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for kneeing at 9:38 of the third period. At 11:57, Alexandre Lallier tied the game and then, on a five-on-three advantage, Joseph Henneberry scored at 13:57 to put Bathurst in front 5-4.

The Titan would hold on to the lead and defeat the Sea Dogs 5-4, ending a five-game losing streak.

Donovan Arsenault netted a first period hat trick for Bathurst and that would be the Titan's only goals until midway through the third. Antoine Keller made 24 saves in the win.

Pavel Simek scored a pair of goals for Saint John while Noah Reinhart and Jacob Beaulieu added singles. Justin Robinson made 33 saves in the loss.

Arsenault scored twice in the first 8:28 of the first period to put Bathurst up 2-0 early. Shots were 10-0 Titan at the midway point of the period.

Simek got Saint John on the board at 12:44 of the first, putting in the rebound of a Vince Elie shot. Arsenault completed his first period hat trick at 19:15, flying around Robinson to put the Titan 3-1 after one.

Reinhart scored midway through the second and then Beaulieu netted his first of the season early in the third to make it a 3-3 game. Simek scored his second of the day at 7:58 of the third to give the Sea Dogs their first and only lead of the game.

Game Day 16: at Bathurst

BATHURST
- The Saint John Sea Dogs and Acadie-Bathurst Titan meet, yet again, this afternoon.

The two teams met last night at TD Station where Vince Elie netted the game-winner in the final minute. It was another close, back-and-forth game between these two that will meet for a sixth time today.

The Sea Dogs are 4-0-0-1 against the Titan this year.

Bathurst enters today's game 0-4-0-1 over their past five games.

Game time at the KC Irving Regional Centre is 4 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/None/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 5-7-1-2 for 13 points (fifth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/15th QMJHL) while the Titan are 6-10-0-1 for 13 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/16th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs and Titan met last night at TD Station with Saint John winning 6-4. Peter Reynolds had a hat trick while singles came from Eriks Mateiko, Noah Reinhart and Vince Elie. Joseph Henneberry scored twice for Bathurst while solo markers came from Milo Roelens and Bobby Orr. Patrick Leaver made 28 saves in the win. Joshua Fleming made 28 stops in the loss.

Recap: Sea Dogs win 6-4

FINAL: Bathurst 4, Saint John 6
Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
SAINT JOHN - Vince Elie scored the game-winner with 47.4 seconds remaining in the third period to give the Saint John Sea Dogs a 6-4 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Friday at TD Station.

During some four-on-four play, Nate Tivey had the puck and skated to the bottom of the circle where he fed an open Elie in front of the net. Elie beat Titan netminder Joshua Fleming with a quick one-time shot to give Saint John the lead.

Peter Reynolds added an empty net goal at 19:57 to ice the game — and complete a hat trick — to make it a 6-4 final.

It wasn't looking good for the Sea Dogs late in the third when Matteo Mann was given a major penalty and game misconduct for a check-to-the-head. But Bobby Orr — who was the victim of Mann's hit — took a tripping penalty at 17:28 to create the four-on-four play that led to Elie's winner.

Eriks Mateiko and Noah Reinhart also scored for Saint John in what was yet another back-and-forth game between the Sea Dogs and Titan. Pavel Simek posted three assists.

Patrick Leaver made 28 saves in the win.

The Sea Dogs are now 4-0-0-1 on the year against the Titan.

Joseph Henneberry scored twice for Bathurst while Orr and Milo Roelens added solo markers. Fleming made 28 saves in the loss.

Friday, November 3, 2023

Game Day 15: vs Titan

SAINT JOHN
- The Saint John Sea Dogs and Acadie-Bathurst Titan meet yet again at TD Station.

Tonight's matchup will already be the fifth meeting of the season between the two provincial rivals. They meet again tomorrow afternoon in Bathurst.

The Sea Dogs have had a good run against the Titan, posting a 3-0-0-1 record. Three of Saint John's four wins this season have come against Bathurst.

Tonight is the annual Hockey Fights Cancer game and intermissions will feature performances by The Artificially Hip. Game time is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/Sea Dogs Radio/CHL TV

2023-24 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 4-7-1-2 for 11 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/17th QMJHL) while the Titan are 6-9-0-1 for 13 points (fifth Maritimes/eighth Eastern/14th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-1 loss to the Quebec Remparts on Sunday at TD Station. Noah Reinhart scored Saint John's lone goal. Justin Robinson made 23 saves in the loss. The Titan are coming off a 5-4 shootout loss in Halifax a Wednesday, a loss that saw Bathurst blow a four-goal third period lead. Igor Mburanumwe, Donovan Arsenault, Colby Huggan and Joseph Henneberry scored for Bathurst. Antoine Keller made 44 saves in the loss.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Notebook: It's Bathurst... again

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs take on the Acadie-Bathurst Titan not once, but twice this weekend.

If you want to the Sea Dogs win games, this might be news for you. Saint John has yet to lose in regulation time against Bathurst this season. But if you want to see a variety of teams, this is not good news for you.

These two games with be the fifth and sixth meetings of the season between the Sea Dogs and Titan — a significant number given that it's just the first week of November.

Saint John is 3-0-0-1 against Bathurst this season.

The Sea Dogs host the Titan on Friday night before travelling to the KC Irving Regional Centre on Saturday for a 4 p.m. start.

Following this weekend's games, the Sea Dogs and Titan meet three more times this season: Dec. 31 in Saint John, Feb. 2 in Bathurst and March 14 in Saint John.

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER
The Sea Dogs will be holding their annual Hockey Fights Cancer themed game on Friday. The team will be sporting pink/purple jerseys per usual.
Friday's match will also feature intermission performances from The Artificially Hip, a Tragically Hip cover band.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

A look at some (very early) numbers

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs
Nearly a quarter of the way into the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season, there are a couple obvious areas of improvement for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs have been struggling to keep the puck out of their own net. The team has allowed 55 goals for an average of 3.87 goals against per game — the third most of the QMJHL.

Defensive play was expected to be a strength of this year's Sea Dogs team with its d-core mostly filled with returning players and league veterans. There's certainly plenty of time for the team to improve defensively and they've been getting fairly strong goaltending from overager Patrick Leaver and rookie netminder Justin Robinson.

The Sea Dogs are averaging 35.86 shots against per game, the most in the league.

Another problem area has been the team's power play. Saint John currently has a 14% rating, the second worst in the league. The loaded Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, oddly, have the worst power play (12.8%).

The Sea Dogs are not a team loaded with offensive fire power and they have scored just 40 goals in 14 games, which ties them with the Cape Breton Eagles for the fewest in the QMJHL. If the Sea Dogs could get their power play going a bit more, it might get them into some more games.

A few other numbers...

  • A terrific start to the season for Peter Reynolds, who has 17 points (seven goals and 10 assists) in 14 games. He's also been the team's busiest faceoff man and has a 48.3% rating in the circle.
  • Joseph Ianniello has really stood out offensively on the backend, posting two goals and seven assists in 13 games.
  • Justin Robinson has the best goals against average (2.88) and save percentage (.916) of any qualifying rookie goaltender in the QMJHL.
  • Kency Pierre-Noel, who was one of the best faceoff men in the QJHL last season, has a strong 56.4% rating in the circle so far. Nico Laforge has a team best 57.3% rating, but hasn't taken as many draws as Pierre-Noel or Reynolds.
  • The Sea Dogs have really struggled at TD Station this season, going just 1-4-1-1. That includes losses to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and Quebec Remparts.
  • Saint John has scored just one goal on seven attempts in the shootout. In overtime, the team has been outshot 16-1.
  • The Sea Dogs are averaging 2,919 fans per game this season, the fifth most in the QMJHL.