Sea Dogs Defeat Wildcats 3-2 In Overtime Thriller
Published on October 5, 2008 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
MONCTON, NB --- Another chapter was added to the epic anthology chronicling the intense rivalry between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Moncton Wildcats on Sunday afternoon, as an action-packed, hard-hitting match between the two teams was staged at the Moncton Coliseum.
In a highly-combative, physical affair which featured numerous odd-man situations and multiple swings in momentum, the visitors were ultimately able to produce a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory at the expense of their provincial rivals, as the Wildcats tasted defeat for the first time this year while the Sea Dogs earned their biggest win of the young season in dramatic fashion.
After regulation play failed to determine a winner, Sunday's match went into overtime where star Sea Dogs centre Chris DiDomenico wasted no time in ending Moncton's perfect season, scoring his second goal of the day in the opening minute of the extra frame to deliver his team to victory.
Keven Charland also scored for Saint John on Sunday, while Matt Eagles and Scott Brannon replied for Moncton.
Robert Mayer earned his second consecutive First Star of the Game nod in net for the Sea Dogs, making 32 saves in the hard-fought road victory to improve his 2008-2009 record to 3-4. Meanwhile, Nicola Riopel fell to 7-1 on the year following the loss, as the 19-year old goalie surrendered three goals on 36 shots faced.
Both teams went 2-for-8 on the power play on Sunday, as a grand total of 57 penalty minutes were handed out by officials in the competitive Atlantic Division contest.
The Sea Dogs' stellar PK unit turned in a truly heroic effort in the second half of period number one, holding the Wildcats' PP squad at bay for five full minutes after Andrew Howes was assessed a major penalty for kneeing that also earned the 18-year old rookie a game misconduct. A two-minute three-on-five disadvantage was also effectively killed off by Saint John's defensive special teams unit in the first.
Robert Mayer was nothing short of exceptional during the opening twenty minutes of play, stopping all ten shots sent his way while exhibiting tremendous poise between the pipes for the Sea Dogs.
The best scoring chance of the opening frame for Saint John came in the form of a late-period breakaway opportunity for speedy winger Ryan Sparling. Riopel was able to block the overage forward's shot with an impressive shoulder save however, sending the afternoon contest into the first intermission with the score deadlocked 0-0.
Owning a five-on-three advantage, the Sea Dogs broke the scoreless tie early in the second, as Chris DiDomenico redirected a David Stich shot past Riopel in the 23rd minute of play to register his third goal of the year. Alex Grant picked up the second assist on the successful scoring play, extending the Saint John Captain's season-opening points streak to three games.
Moncton responded on the power play, as Scott Brannon banged a rebound past a sprawling Mayer at the end of a scramble in front of Saint John's net to earn his seventh goal of the season 6:42 into the middle frame.
The home team almost took their first lead of the night on another PP-session midway through the second, but Mayer came up with a huge shoulder save on a Matt Eagles shot to keep things knotted at one apiece. Eagles was denied once again by Mayer late in the period, this time on a breakaway as the Wildcats Captain was stymied on his five-hole attempt by Saint John's ultra-quick import net minder.
The Sea Dogs took a 2-1 lead 8:52 into the third period, as Keven Charland fired a loose puck between Riopel's pads following a face-off in Moncton's zone. Michael Kirkpatrick and Payton Liske both picked up assists on the go-ahead tally, which improved Charland's 2008-2009 goals total to five.
With exactly two minutes remaining in regulation, the Wildcats were able to re-tie the match when Matt Eagles beat Mayer on a well-placed redirection, earning his fourth goal of the year in the form of a power play marker. Mark Barberio registered the primary helper on the timely man-up tally for the home team.
A pair of late-match penalties then gave Saint John a five-on-three advantage for the final minute of regulation, but Moncton was able to prevent the visitors from capitalizing on their double-PP, resultantly sending the afternoon contest into overtime.
Just 24 seconds into the extra frame however, Chris DiDomenico ended things with his second goal of the day, firing a rebound produced by a Ryan Sparling shot to the back of Moncton's net to instantly produce a sudden-death victory for his team and send the Sea Dogs bench into a joyous frenzy, as Saint John had at once earned a huge road win and picked up two enormous points as their pursuit of the Wildcats' division lead took a big step forward.
The Sea Dogs next hit the ice on Wednesday night when the P.E.I. Rocket pay a visit to Harbour Station for a 7:00pm showdown with Saint John. Tickets to this Atlantic Division match-up are available by calling 657-1234.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 5, 2008
- Sea Dogs Defeat Wildcats 3-2 In Overtime Thriller - Saint John Sea Dogs
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