Sea Dogs Down Tigres 4-2, Take 1-0 Lead In Semi-Final Series
Published on April 16, 2010 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
SAINT JOHN, NB --- The Saint John Sea Dogs emerged victorious from an incredibly-entertaining hockey game on Friday night, earning a thrilling 4-2 home win over the Victoriaville Tigres to take a 1-0 lead in the elite major junior teams' best-of-seven semi-final showdown.
In a back-and-forth affair brimming with intensity throughout, the Sea Dogs overcame an early 2-0 deficit in laying claim to a series-opening victory, netting four unanswered goals to take the decision in come-from-behind fashion.
Michael Kirkpatrick (2), Mike Hoffman, and Mike Thomas all scored for Saint John in Game 1, while Brandon Hynes and Guillaume Goulet responded for Victoriaville in their hard-fought road loss. Meanwhile, between the pipes, Anaheim Ducks prospect Marco Cousineau (27 saves) outdueled all-star goaltender Kevin Poulin (28 saves) in picking up his ninth victory of the playoffs.
The Tigres took a quick 2-0 lead on Friday, as Brandon Hynes and Guillaume Goulet both found the back of the net in the opening half of period number one. Saint John then cut Victoriaville's lead in half midway through the opening frame when Nick Petersen hit a streaking Michael Kirkpatrick with a crisp pass on the fly into enemy territory. The veteran centre proceeded to rip a hard snap shot to the back of the visitors' net, registering the seventh goal of his post-season in the process.
Vancouver Canucks prospect Yann Sauvé came extremely close to tallying the equalizer a few minutes later, ringing a wrist shot off of the Tigres' crossbar at the end of an odd-man-rush led by superstar sniper Mike Hoffman. A sensational sliding toe save by Kevin Poulin thwarted a wraparound attempt from sophomore forward Stephen MacAulay late in the opening stanza, as Friday's contest reached the twenty minute mark with the visitors on top by a score of 2-1.
Both goaltenders turned in multiple highlight-reel stops during a fast-paced middle frame, with Cousineau and Poulin combining to make 19 saves on as many shots faced in sending Game 1 into the second intermission with Victoriaville clinging precariously to a one-goal lead.
The hosts tied things up at two apiece early in period number three when Stanislav Galiev and Mike Hoffman broke into the Tigres' zone on a two-on-one rush. Exhibiting sublime composure, Galiev fed a picture-perfect saucer pass over to Hoffman, who finished the play off in style by sliding a backhander between Poulin's pads to improve his 2010 playoff goals total to five.
Team Captain Mike Thomas then gave Saint John their first lead of the night in the 56th minute of play, beating Poulin high, glove-side on a bullet of a wrist shot to tally his third of the post-season. Michael Kirkpatrick added an insurance marker for the Sea Dogs late in regulation, converting on a one-timer during a power play to lock up First Star of the Game honours.
Game 2 of this third round playoff tilt is set to take place on Saturday night at Harbour Station (puck drop: 8pm). Tickets to this match are available by calling the arena box office at (506) 657-1234 or by visiting ww.tickets.harbourstation.ca.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2010
- Cats take first game 5-3 - Moncton Wildcats
- Sea Dogs Down Tigres 4-2, Take 1-0 Lead In Semi-Final Series - Saint John Sea Dogs
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