QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

First Half Ends on Winning Note

Published on December 18, 2011 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs head into the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Christmas break on a high after a 5-2 win over the Moncton Wildcats Sunday.

Stephen MacAulay led the way with two goals for the Sea Dogs, Zack Phillips had a goal and an assist a day after signing his first NHL contract with the Minnesota Wild, and Grant West and Kevin Gagne added singles. Mathieu Corbeil made 23 saves for the win, Saint John's third in the last four games.

The Sea Dogs enter the break 28-10-1-1, second overall in the QMJHL. Saint John also seized a 6-5 lead in the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup, earning three points for the regulation win over Moncton, while the Wildcats picked up a point for breaking the 4,000-fan barrier.

Moncton got a goal and an assist each from Allain Saulnier and James Melindy. Roman Will made 31 saves in the loss as the Wildcats fell to 17-18-2-0.

Click HERE to view a complete scoresheet from Friday's game. For interviews and highlights, visit Sea Dogs TV, the team's official YouTube channel .

West opened the scoring at 11:45 of the first period, taking a feed from Oliver Cooper, cutting in from the left wing and beating Will with a deke to the forehand. Jason Cameron picked up the other assist on the former Wildcat's fifth goal of the season.

MacAulay made it 2-0 on a power play at 14:49 of the opening frame. Phillips fed him a beautiful pass down low to Will's left and the St. Louis Blues prospect redirected it past the goalie. Charles Roussel was credited with the other assist.

Gagne extended the lead 1:19 into the second period, taking a long shot from the left-wing boards that got through Will's glove side. Danick Gauthier and Aidan Kelly assisted on Gagne's sixth of the season.

The Wildcats charged back, however, taking advantage of a power play to get on the board on Saulnier's goal at 4:42. Melindy then got the Wildcats back within one at 2:48 of the third.

MacAulay put the Dogs back in the drivers's seat with an unassisted marker at 8:06, springing loose on a breakaway and beating Will with a low shot for his eighth.

Phillips padded the lead with an empty-net marker at 18:32. The acting captain's 19th of the year was also unassisted.

The Dogs are off until Dec. 28, when they visit the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Tim Roszell will have the call on News 88.9 FM . Fans can also catch all the action online via the official TELUS QMJHL webcast (click HERE to order; charges apply).

The Dogs return home Dec. 30 against the Prince Edward Island Rocket. Tickets are also on sale for the annual New Year's Rivalry Cup matchup against Moncton. This year's game in Saint John is set for Jan. 2, and there will be a special food drive for the Community Food Basket. The city donating the most food by weight will earn three extra points in the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup.

Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office, by calling 506-657-1234 or online at www.tickets.harbourstation.ca.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2011


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