QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs fall to Wildcats 3-1

Published on September 13, 2008 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


MONCTON, NB --- The Saint John Sea Dogs suffered their first loss of the 2008-2009 season on Saturday night, falling to the Moncton Wildcats by a score of 3-1 at the Moncton Coliseum.

After the first 39:56 produced a 1-1 deadlock, Wildcats forward Scott Brannon scored late in the middle frame to give Moncton the lead heading into the second intermission. The Sea Dogs were unable to produce the equalizer during a highly-competitive third period, resultantly incurring their first defeat of the year despite receiving another valiant effort from a young squad featuring several rookies and missing many key veterans due to a variety of factors.

Overage winger Francois Gauthier scored the lone goal for the Sea Dogs on the night, while both Scott Brannon (2) and Ted Stephens tallied markers for the Wildcats.

Second-year net minder Robert Mayer turned in another excellent performance between the pipes for Saint John, making 37 saves (several of the spectacular variety) on 40 shots faced. The 18-year old European received a First Star of the Game nod in recognition of his tremendous play in the match. At the other end of the ice, Moncton goalie Nicola Riopel also performed well on Saturday, turning aside 32 of the 33 shots sent his way to improve his record to 2-0 on the year.

The home team struck early on Saturday, with Ted Stephens registering his fourth goal of the season in the second minute of play. The 18-year old Yukonian pounced on his own rebound following a lengthy scramble in front of the Sea Dogs net and fired a high shot over Mayer to give Moncton a 1-0 lead.

After some exciting back-and-forth action failed to result in anything in the way of quantitative offence, the visiting squad from the Port City was able to produce the equalizer late in the first period. With 3:30 remaining in the opening frame, Francois Gauthier banged home a rebound produced by a Michael Kirkpatrick wraparound attempt to earn the 39th goal of his career and tie the intra-provincial contest 1-1.

Mayer came up with his first big save of the night a moment later, denying Ted Stephens' rocket of a wrist shot to send the Atlantic Division showdown into its opening intermission with the score knotted at one apiece.

Michael Kirkpatrick came close to giving his team their first lead of the night 7:50 into the second period, getting off a quick snap shot on the fly that Riopel managed to impede the progress of by way of some impressive reflexology.

The Wildcats then went on an extended two-man advantage when Philip Richer was called for tripping with Matthew Stoddard already in the penalty box. Robert Mayer made several saves during the Sea Dogs' three-on-five session, keeping his team from incurring a one-goal deficit in the process.

The Sea Dogs' penalty killing unit came up big again late in the second, nullifying a three-on-four disadvantage in dynamic fashion by making effective use of some sound positional play and deft decision making.

With only four seconds remaining in the middle frame however, Scott Brannon beat Robert Mayer high, glove side after a seemingly broken play in Saint John's zone resulted in the puck somehow landing on the 19-year old winger's stick near the visitors' net.

The opening half of period three saw Saint John working diligently to retie the match, with several promising rushes and scoring chances ultimately falling short as Riopel and the Moncton defensive core effectively protected their team's one-goal lead.

With 3:39 remaining in regulation, Daniel Pettersson incurred two-minute minor for tripping after hauling down Francois Gauthier in a most unsubtle manner. The Sea Dogs were able to generate some quality chances during their seventh power play of the night, with Riopel's stoning of Keven Charland from point blank range being the most notable near-goal of the frame.

Late in the third period, Scott Brannon added an insurance marker for the hosts, netting his second of the game on the power play. Veteran forward Matt Eagle picked up an assist on the scoring play, which quashed any notion of a second-straight comeback road win for Saint John.

The Sea Dogs next hit the ice for their home opener versus the Val-d'Or Foreurs on Saturday, September 20 at 7:00pm. Tickets to this game are available by calling the Harbour Station Box Office at (506) 657-1234 or by logging on to www.saintjohnseadogs.com.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from September 13, 2008


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