QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs' Comeback Attempt Falls Short in Victoriaville

Published on April 20, 2010 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


VICTORIAVILLE, QC - The Saint John Sea Dogs suffered their first road loss of the 2010 President's Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night, dropping a 6-3 decision to the Victoriaville Tigres at Desjardins Coliseum. Saint John remains ahead 2-1 in this best-of-seven third round series.

Philip-Michaël Devos (2), Phillipe Mallet, Chris Doyle, Travis McIsaac, and Joël Champage all scored for Victoriaville in Game 3 while Michael Kirkpatrick, Yann Sauvé, and Simon Després replied for Saint John.

Between the pipes, Marco Cousineau and Karel St-Laurent combined to make 39 saves for the visitors in a losing effort, with all-star goalie Kevin Poulin stopping 43 Saint John shots in capturing his ninth victory of the post-season.

The Tigres struck first on Tuesday when Phillipe Mallet shoveled a loose puck past a sprawling Cousineau at the 7:07 mark of the first period to bring an abrupt end to a lengthy scramble in Sea Dogs territory. New York Rangers prospect Chris Doyle double the hosts' advantage a minute later, blasting a long-range one-timer to the back of Saint John's net during a Victoriaville power play.

Philip-Michaël Devos then put the Tigres up by three 13:55 into the opening frame, burying a rebound produced by a Samuel Groulx slap shot to tally the seventh marker of his post-season. A power play marker off the stick of Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Joël Champagne gave Victoriaville a four-goal advantage midway through period number two, as the Tigres surpassed their combined scoring total from Games 1 & 2 on Champagne's seventh of the playoffs.

The Sea Dogs then made their way onto the scoreboard courtesy of superstar defenseman Simon Després, who skillfully carried the puck into the hosts' slot and ripped a hard backhander past Poulin's glove in the 31st minute of play to record the first offensive strike of his post-season career.

Veteran centre Travis McIsaac made the score 5-1 in Victoriaville's favour late in the middle frame, pouncing on a loose puck deep inside the visitors' zone and wiring home his seventh goal of the playoffs to send Tuesday's contest into the second intermission with the home team in possession of a sizeable lead.

Sophomore net minder Karel St-Laurent assumed goaltending duties for Saint John at the start of period number three, promptly robbing a net-charging Joël Champagne in highlight-reel fashion with a diving pad save shortly after entering the game.

Michael Kirkpatrick then reduced his team's deficit to three at the 1:59 mark of regulation's final stanza, wiring home a slap shot from the left face-off circle to make his ninth goal of the playoffs of the man-up variety. Vancouver Canucks prospect Yann Sauvé made Saint John 3-for-3 on the power play a moment later, unleashing an absolute howitzer of a one-timer from the point that made its way across the Tigres' goal line after Poulin got a piece of the shot.

The Sea Dogs continued to produce strong offensive chances at Victoriaville's end of the ice throughout the duration of the third period, ultimately outshooting the Tigres 20-10 over the course of the closing twenty minutes of play. Philip-Michaël Devos netted a power play goal for the hosts late in regulation however, succinctly dashing any hopes the visitors held of completing what would have been a truly herculean comeback effort.

These two teams will meet again on Friday night at Victoriaville's home arena (puck drop: 8pm Atlantic), with Game 5 set to be staged the following evening at the same venue (also an 8pm start). If necessary, a sixth game will take place next Monday night at Harbour Station (puck drop: 7pm).

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2010


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