Sea Dogs' Winning Streak Hits Six Games
Published on October 17, 2008 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
SAINT JOHN, NB --- The Saint John Sea Dogs matched a franchise record on Friday night by registering their sixth consecutive win, defeating the Acadie-Bathurst Titan by a score of 2-1 in front of over five thousand fans at Harbour Station.
Import goalie Robert Mayer continued his strong play in backstopping Saint John to the home victory, turning aside 22 of the 23 shots sent his way. The 19-year old has allowed only ten goals during his team's current winning streak.
Veterans Alex Grant and Ryan Sparling provided all the offence the home team would need on Friday, while star centre Chris DiDomenico assisted on both Sea Dogs goals. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect now has 4G-10A-14P in nine games played this season.
"This was a big win for us," said DiDomenico following the competitive intra-provincial showdown. "Games against the Titan are always tough and tonight was no exception. Our defence really stepped up for us out there tonight and Robert was obviously great between the pipes yet again. We're playing very well as a team right now and I'm confident that we can continue to build on this momentum moving forward."
For the fourth consecutive game, Saint John emerged victorious on the pivotal special teams front, keeping their opponents from converting on any of their five power play chances while producing the eventual game-winner with the man-advantage late in the second period.
Head Coach/General Manager Jacques Beaulieu is extremely pleased with how his penalty killing unit has performed recently.
"Everyone is working hard four-on-five and we've been getting great results thanks to that hard work," said Beaulieu following Friday's victory. "All of our guys are blocking shots and Robert has been making big saves for us when we need him to, which is obviously huge. Special teams are a big part of major junior hockey, and hopefully we can maintain the level of success we've been having for a while yet."
The visitors struck first on Friday, with veteran defenseman Drew Paris carrying the puck from end-to-end prior to handcuffing Mayer on a deceptively hard wrist shot that crept across the Saint John goal line 4:44 into the first period.
Saint John replied late in the opening frame, with Chris DiDomenico feeding a streaking Ryan Sparling with a picture perfect pass that the 20-year old winger promptly redirected to the back of Acadie-Bathurst's net to earn his fifth goal of the season.
Rookie defenseman Kevin Gagné picked up an assist on Sparling's late period marker, giving the 16-year old Edmundston, NB native his first career point.
After killing off a key three-on-five disadvantage in the middle of what proved to be an overtly physical second period, the Sea Dogs took their first lead of the night on the man-advantage. Taking a pass from Chris DiDomenico at the point, reigning QMJHL Defensive Player of the Week Alex Grant unloaded a rocket of a slap shot that beat Titan goalie Frédéric Piché high, blocker side to make the score 2-1 in favour of the hosts as Friday's match reached the forty minute mark.
Robert Mayer added nine saves to his nightly total in the middle frame. The sophomore net minder's biggest save of the period came in the form of a mid-match stoning of Cameron Critchlow, who elected to shoot on a two-on-none break and was denied in spectacular fashion by Saint John's star goaltender.
The war of offensive attrition that largely defined Friday's match continued through the closing twenty minutes of play, with neither team managing to produce much in the way of scoring opportunities in the third period. Combining for only eleven shots on goal in regulation's final frame, each squad's respective defensive units continued their strong play, with the Sea Dogs' awesome special teams unit killing off two more penalties off en route to producing a one-goal victory for the Port City's major junior squad.
Up next for Saint John is a Thursday night tilt versus Nicola Deschamps and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens at Harbour Station. The puck drops at 7:00pm as the Sea Dogs look to set a new team record by winning their seventh straight game. Tickets to this October 23 contest are available by calling (506) 657-1234.
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