Cataractes Defeat Sea Dogs 2-1
Published on September 28, 2008 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
SHAWINIGAN, QC --- A goaltender's duel of epic proportions was staged at Jacques Plante Arena on Sunday afternoon, with San Jose Sharks prospect Timo Pielmeier and Montreal Canadiens signee Robert Mayer combining to make several sensational saves over the course of sixty entertaining minutes of major junior hockey.
Pielmeier's Cataractes ultimately proved victorious over Mayer's Sea Dogs on the day, with Team Captain Cedric McNicoll scoring the eventual game-winning goal early in the third period to break a 1-1 deadlock.
Dave Labrecque also scored for Shawinigan in the afternoon contest, while Chris DiDomenico notched the lone marker for Saint John.
In an overtly physical contest that featured dozens of bone-crunching body checks at either end of the ice as well as a pair of spirited fights, the Sea Dogs showed tremendous character in turning in an impressive road performance and very nearly completing a comeback versus the highly-regarded Cataractes. Saint John concludes their first lengthy road trip of the season without a victory, falling to 2-5 on the season as a result of their one-goal defeat at the hands of Shawinigan.
The Sea Dogs controlled the puck almost exclusively in the early-going on Sunday, registering four of the game's opening five shots on goal as Saint John's forwards applied heavy pressure upon Pielmeier and the Cataractes' defenders.
Shawinigan was able to weather an early storm of Sea Dogs scoring chances however, subsequently taking a 1-0 lead in capitalizing on a two-man advantage midway through the first period as Dave Labrecque scored his fifth goal of the year with Matthew Pistilli and Charles-Olivier Roussel picking up assists on the play.
At the 7:40 mark of the second period, star centre Chris DiDomenico tied things up at one apiece, taking a pass from line-mate Payton Liske and wiring a shot to the back of Shawinigan's net, registering his first goal of the season and 65th of his career.
Robert Mayer exhibited exceptional poise in net for Saint John throughout the middle frame, turning aside all nine shots sent his way to send Sunday's contest into the second intermission with the score tied 1-1.
The Sea Dogs earned a pair of odd-man rushes in the opening minutes of period number three, but Pielmeier was able to keep the visitors from earning their first lead of the day by way of some impressive goaltending manoeuvres.
The Cataractes then took a 2-1 lead when Team Captain Cedric McNicoll jammed a loose puck into Saint John's net at the end of a lengthy scramble 5:27 into regulation's final frame.
A huge pad save by Robert Mayer off of Pierre-Alexandre Vandall kept the Sea Dogs within immediate striking distance of their opponents midway through the third, with Chris DiDomenico being denied in similarly spectacular fashion by Pielmeier on the ensuing rush as the furious back-and-forth action which proliferated through Sunday's match continued at Jacques Plante Arena.
Keven Charland very nearly produced the equalizer for Saint John with five minutes remaining in regulation, streaking towards the net and deflecting a pass towards the Cataractes net that Peilmeier managed to stop with an impressive display of reflexology.
Not to be outdone, Mayer made three outstanding saves a moment later, denying a trio of Cataractes shooters in rapid succession to retain a one-goal deficit for the visiting squad from south western New Brunswick.
With Mayer on the bench in favour of an extra attacker, the Sea Dogs came incredibly close to tying the game in the final minute of regulation but a late-match penalty functionally ended Saint John's hopes of sending the game into overtime.
Up next for the Sea Dogs is a Thursday night rematch with Shawinigan in Saint John. Tickets to this game are available via Harbour Station's website (http://www.harbourstation.nb.ca/) or by calling 657-1234.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets to Game Two of the 2008 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge go on sale this coming Monday morning at 10:00am at the Harbour Station Box Office. The highly-anticipated international contest will be played on November 19 in Saint John.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2008
- Juniors Give Montreal Win To Remember - Montreal Juniors
- Cataractes Defeat Sea Dogs 2-1 - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Lewiston Defeats Victoriaville, 4-3 - Lewiston MAINEiacs
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