QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs dominant in home opener, defeat Foreurs 5-0

Published on September 20, 2008 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


SAINT JOHN, NB --- In an exhibition of unabashed domination, the Saint John Sea Dogs defeated the Val-d'Or Foreurs by a score of 5-0 on Saturday night, kicking off their Season IV Opening Weekend with a lopsided victory in front of a sold-out Harbour Station.

Saint John controlled all aspects of play on Saturday, out-shooting and out-working their opponents in what proved to be a history-making evening for the fourth year franchise.

Rookie net minder Karel St-Laurent made his QMJHL debut a memorable one, recording the fourth shutout in Sea Dogs history after making 26 saves on as many shots. The 17-year old confounded Val-d'Or's forwards time and time again for sixty minutes, making several spectacular saves in blanking the Foreurs and improving the Sea Dogs' record to 2-1 on the year.

"I couldn't believe some of the saves he was making," said 20-year old winger Ryan Sparling. "Our defence played really well in front of him, but any time they (Val-d'Or) had a good chance he was right there to shut the door. It's definitely nice to win the last home opener of my major junior career and I'm looking forward to several more memorable victories here at Harbour Station this year."

Keven Charland (2), Andrew Howes, Nathan Beaulieu, and Payton Liske all scored for Saint John in the lopsided victory, while Steven Anthony dished out a pair of assists on the evening.

Sea Dogs Head Coach Jacques Beaulieu was impressed with his team's effort on Saturday.

"I thought we played a very good team game tonight," said the Saint John bench boss following the impressive home win. "We were very sound defensively and were able to capitalize on our scoring chances. When you get those two things in addition to solid goaltending, the results usually take care of themselves and that was definitely the case tonight."

After some early power play opportunities failed to yield any results, the Sea Dogs broke the scoreless tie nine minutes into the first period on an amazing individual effort by rookie forward Andrew Howes. The 18-year old Ontarian scored an incredible, highlight-reel-calibre goal, stick handling his way through a Foreurs defender in dynamic fashion prior to ripping a snap shot over Val-d'Or goalie Raffaele D'Orso's left shoulder for his second tally of the season.

It didn't take the hosts long to double their lead, as on the ensuing face-off and subsequent dump-in, overage winger Payton Liske stole the puck from a Val-d'Or defenseman behind the Foreurs net and tucked a wraparound into an open net past a surprised D'Orso. The nine second interval between goals set a team record for the fastest two markers in Sea Dogs history.

While not tested often during the first period of his career, St-Laurent looked exceptionally poised between the pipes for Saint John, turning aside all seven shots sent his way as Saturday night's contest reached the twenty minute mark with the Sea Dogs leading 2-0.

The home team's lead was made 3-0 early in the second period, as rookie defenseman Nathan Beaulieu scored the first goal of his career 3:57 into the frame. Mike Thomas and Keven Charland both picked up assists on the play, which culminated in a successful one-timer off the stick of the 15-year old freshman blue-liner.

Steven Anthony very nearly made it a four-goal Sea Dogs advantage midway though the second, single-handedly carrying the puck into Val-d'Or's zone and getting off a hard, high backhand shot that D'Orso managed to stop with his shoulder as Saint John continued to apply heavy pressure upon their opponents' defence and goaltender.

Karel St-Laurent continued his strong play through the middle frame, extending his career-opening shutout streak to forty minutes after adding six more saves to his nightly tally and sending the Sea Dogs' Home Opener into the second intermission with Saint John up 3-0.

In the opening minute of period number three, Keven Charland gave Saint John a four-goal advantage on his second marker of the year. Charland scored again eight minutes later, working a two-on-one to perfection with line mate Steven Anthony prior to hammering a one-timer to the back of Val-d'Or's net as the Saint John onslaught continued unabated.

Nathan Beaulieu made an excellent defensive play midway through regulation's final frame to preserve St-Laurent's shutout, batting away a loose puck near the Saint John net with several Val-d'Or players anxious to capitalize on an out-of-position Sea Dogs goalie.

St-Laurent made a huge save off of a crease-hovering Alexandre Carrier with two minutes remaining in the third, keeping the Foreurs from breaking their goose egg and ultimately capturing a five-goal victory in his first career Canadian Hockey League start.

Sea Dogs Opening Weekend continues on Sunday afternoon when the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles pay a visit to the Port City for a 4:00pm contest at Harbour Station.

Check out the Saint John Sea Dogs Statistics

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2008


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