Recap: Sea Dogs win 3-2

FINAL: Gatineau 2, Saint John 3

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs did something Tuesday that very few teams have been able to do against the Gatineau Olympiques since the calendar flipped to 2023: win.

The Sea Dogs earned a hard fought 3-2 victory over the Olympiques on Tuesday night at TD Station. Saint John goaltender Ventsislav Shingarov, who had an excellent Game 1 of this series and gave the Dogs a chance, made 44 saves in a first star performance.

Gatineau now leads the best-of-seven first round series 2-1 heading into Wednesday's Game 4. Tuesday's result means there will be a Game 5 on Friday night in Saint John.

It was a mix of veterans and youth who delivered for the Sea Dogs with Noah Reinhart, Brady Burns and Nicolas Bilodeau scoring. Burns and Reinhart also had assists while Peter Reynolds added two helpers. 

Saint John opened the scoring and play was fairly even through the first two periods with Shingarov making a few key stops. Play was mostly controlled by Gatineau in the third with shots ending 23-6 in favour of the visitors - but Saint John cashed in when they had opportunities. Burns made it 2-1 Saint John at 11:24 of the third and then Bilodeau scored a beautiful goal down low at 12:51 to give the Dogs some insurance.

Olivier Nadeau got Gatineau back within one at 18:50. The Olympiques pressured in the final minute but could not net an equalizer.

Nadeau and Alexis Gendron scored for Gatineau. Francesco Lapenna made 26 saves in the loss.

The Sea Dogs are still in tough to win this series, but this kind of victory against this kind of opponent is a huge confidence boost for this young and rebuilding Sea Dogs core. This certainly makes getting into the playoffs worth it.

Playoff Game Days 3 & 4: vs Olympiques

SAINT JOHN - It's essentially a must-win game for the Saint John Sea Dogs tonight.

The Sea Dogs return home down 2-0 in their best-of-seven first series playoff series against the heavily favoured Gatineau Olympiques. Saint John dropped the first two games in Gatineau over the weekend by a combined score of 16-1.

Saint John will need to try and stifle Gatineau's deep offense while also taking advantage of any scoring chances they get. Goaltender Ventsislav Shingarov was excellent in Game 1, keeping the Sea Dogs in it through 40 minutes. The Olympiques' loaded lineup proved to be too much in Game 2, scoring twice in the opening minute.

Game time for tonight's Game 3 is 7 p.m. at TD Station. Game 4 takes place Wednesday night.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

Series status: Gatineau leads the first round best-of-seven series 2-0.

Last game: The Olympiques defeated the Sea Dogs 9-0 on Saturday at Slush Puppie Centre. Alexis Gendron had a hat trick while singles came from Antonin Verreault, Cole Cormier, Zach Dean, Cam MacDonald, Riley Kidney and Olivier Nadeau. Francesco Lapenna made 25 saves in the shutout win. Ventsislav Shingarov was pulled after allowing six goals on 27 shots in the first two periods. Olivier Brideau allowed three goals on nine shots in the third.

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs finished with a 24-38-5-1 record for 54 points (fifth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/15th QMJHL) while the Olympiques were 49-12-5-2 for 105 points (first West/second Western/fourth QMJHL).

Georgie takes new role; to remain Sea Dogs president

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs will soon have a new general manager.

The team confirmed Monday that Trevor Georgie has been named the president and CEO of JSM Sports Entertainment, the Scott McCain company that owns the Sea Dogs. He will maintain his current role as the team's president.

From the news release:

JSMSE is an investment and holding company focused on owning, operating, and investing in the sports and entertainment sector. JSMSE is the parent company of Saint John Major Junior Hockey Club Ltd., owner of the Saint John Sea Dogs hockey team. Under Mr. Georgie’s leadership, JSMSE intends to grow its sports and entertainment portfolio, both regionally and throughout North America.

“I am thrilled to promote Trevor to this new leadership role,” said Scott McCain, JSMSE’s Chairman of the Board. “He has earned this opportunity in every respect, and I’m excited to see him take this next step in his career. It is my goal to expand JSMSE within the sports and entertainment sector, and I look forward to pursuing this together with Trevor.”

In his new role, Mr. Georgie will continue as President of the Saint John Sea Dogs, providing leadership and strategic direction to both business and hockey operations. The Saint John Sea Dogs plans to announce its new General Manager in the coming days.

“I want to thank Scott for his leadership and trust, and for giving me this exciting opportunity,” said Mr. Georgie. “I also want to thank my team at the Sea Dogs for all their contributions and hard work. I look forward to growing JSMSE coast to coast, while staying grounded in our East Coast values.”

Georgie was named Sea Dogs president on Jan. 7, 2016, replacing Wayne Long. Georgie took over the role of general manager on Aug. 11, 2016 after the team parted ways with Darrell Young.

Under Georgie's watch, the Sea Dogs won the 2017 President Cup along with the 2022 Memorial Cup on home ice, a tournament that will be remembered for years to come in Saint John.

Notebook: Playoffs off to entertaining start

HALIFAX - It wasn't a great opening weekend for the Saint John Sea Dogs but, for the most part, the first round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs are off to a very entertaining start.

Six games went to overtime this weekend with three requiring double OT.

Three of the QMJHL's eight first round series - Baie-Comeau/Moncton, Drummondville/Victoriaville and Shawinigan/Rouyn-Noranda - are tied 1-1. Quebec, Halifax, Rimouski, Sherbrooke and Gatineau all carry 2-0 series leads.

Encore trop tôt pour juger, mais avec 6 prolongations en deux jours de séries #LHJMQ (en 16 parties), on peut parler du début de séries le plus chaudement disputé 1996.

Prometteur pour la suite...

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) April 2, 2023

The Mooseheads erased a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Eagles on Saturday night. Alexandre Doucet's game-tying goal, which came at 18:50 of the third period, was controversial. It was called a goal on the ice and it stayed that way after a review.

The Eagles even retweeted the below video.

Video of Alexandre Doucet's tying goal for the Mooseheads. The officials reviewed it before counting it. Good or bad call? https://t.co/JcC3vxvzeu

— Willy Palov (@WillyPalov) April 2, 2023

All eight series resume on Tuesday.

MORE TITAN TROUBLES

Here we go yet again.

Steve Turcotte of Le Nouvelliste reports that Steve Leal is still trying to finalize a purchase of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Turcotte reports that Leal's first deal to purchase the club was rejected by the QMJHL but a new arrangement could be approved by June's Entry Draft.

It's been long believed that Leal, the president and CEO of Fix Network World, would like to purchase the Titan and eventually move them to the Montreal suburbs. The Titan have been rumoured to be relocating for about 15 years so... we'll wait and see what happens.

A major question/concern about a Titan move is how the division alignments will be impacted.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 9-0

FINAL: Saint John 0, Gatineau 9

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

GATINEAU, QC - The Saint John Sea Dogs are heading home in a 0-2 series deficit.

The Sea Dogs dropped Game 2 of their first-round best-of-seven series with the Gatineau Olympiques on Saturday, falling 9-0 to one of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's top teams at the Slush Puppie Centre.

Gatineau now leads the series 2-0 after winning Friday's Game 1 by a score of 7-1. The next two games - and a third if needed - will be played in Saint John.

Alexis Gendron netted a natural hat trick while singles came from Antonin Verreault, Cole Cormier, Zach Dean, Cam MacDonald, Riley Kidney and Olivier Nadeau. Kidney finished the game with six points, adding five assists to his third period goal.

Francesco Lapenna made 25 saves in the shutout win. The Sea Dogs had some decent chances here and there, including in the final minute of the third. Saint John went 0/5 on the power play.

Ventsislav Shingarov allowed six goals on 27 shots in the first 40 minutes of action. Olivier Brideau, making his first appearance since late February, allowed three goals on nine shots in the third.

Pre-game notes: Sea Dogs looking to bounce back from Game 1 loss

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

HALIFAX - The Saint John Sea Dogs will try and bounce back from a Game 1 loss tonight in Gatineau.

The Sea Dogs, on the strength of a 45-save performance from goaltender Ventsislav Shingarov, hung around for two periods before allowing five goals in the final frame in a 7-1 loss to the Gatineau Olympiques. Defensive defenseman Jared Cosman scored Saint John's lone goal while shorthanded in the third period.

Not the best look for Kidney (No.19). Stands around as the Sea Dogs score a shorthanded goal. pic.twitter.com/r6vW8QIHd3

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 1, 2023

The Olympiques controlled the game throughout, outshooting the Sea Dogs 52-22.

Saint John will likely need another big game from Shingarov tonight if they hope to pull off an upset and return home with a series split.

Saint John has mixed up their forward lines a bit for tonight's Game 2.

Mateiko - Reynolds - Reinhart

Burns - Burbidge - Benoit

Simek - Drover - Elie

Cournoyer - Beaulieu

Tivey - DesRoches

Ianniello - Cosman

Bilodeau - Akkouche

Despont

Shingarov

Brideau

Note that game time this evening is 5 p.m.