Recap: Sea Dogs lose 6-1

FINAL: Saint John 1, Cape Breton 6

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SYDNEY, NS - It was basically over before it started on Friday for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Cape Breton Eagles scored two goals in the first 51 seconds in a five-goal first period end route to a 6-1 win over the Sea Dogs at Centre 200. Jacob Newcombe had a hat trick in the opening frame and scored another in the third.

Sea Dogs goaltender Justin Robinson was pulled after allowing four goals on 11 shots in just 7:39 of play. Like in recent games, Saint John just couldn't get things together defensively and cost them any chance of winning this game.

After allowing five goals in the opening frame, Saint John outshot Cape Breton 13-3 in the second period but didn't have many quality chances. The teams traded goals in the third with Egan Beveridge scoring just after a power play ended with 6:10 remaining.

The loss was Saint John's seventh straight overall and 11th straight on the road.

Along with Newcombe's four, Cape Breton had goals from Luke Patterson and Olivier Houde. Cam Squires and Tomas Cibulka each had three assists. Jakub Milota made 26 saves in the win.

Patrick Leaver made 17 saves in relief for the Sea Dogs.

These two teams meet again tomorrow night at Centre 200. It'll be the final meeting of the season between the two.

LINEUP

Peddle - Elliott - Mateiko

Simek - Beveridge - Fournier

Reynolds - Miller - Beaulieu

Calder - Groulx

Tivey - Ianniello

Bilodeau - Amyot

MacLean - Duhamel

Richard

Robinson

Leaver

SCRATCHES: The Sea Dogs were without forwards Nico Laforge (healthy), Benjamin Beaudry (healthy) and Luka Benoit (healthy) along with defenseman Matteo Mann (serving a one-game suspension).

NOTES: The Sea Dogs went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen... Matteo Mann served a one-game suspension for fighting in the final five minutes of Wednesday's game in Moncton... alternate captain Nico Laforge was listed as a healthy scratch, which has happened a few times this season... it was Irish Night at Centre 200 with the Eagles wearing speciality jerseys... Jacob Newcombe became the fourth player in the QMJHL to record four goals in a single game this season... the five goals scored by Cape Breton in the opening frame is tied for the second most first period goals in a game this season. Rouyn-Noranda had seven on Feb. 8... Tyler Peddle had five shots... Cape Breton went 2/5 on the power play while Saint John went 0/6... Saint John's last road win was on Jan. 27... attendance was 2,813.

Tonight we go back to our Irish roots! 🍀 pic.twitter.com/xMFeq4YPTx

— Cape Breton Eagles (@CBEHockey) March 8, 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs face the Eagles again tomorrow night at 7 p.m.