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QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Fans Brave Elements to Witness 7-2 Win

February 2, 2011 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


SAINT JOHN, N.B. - On a snowy Wednesday evening, the Saint John Sea Dogs rode a five-goal second period to a 7-2 win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan before a small but dedicated group of fans.

A paid attendance of 3,022 was announced, but roughly a third of that number saw Tomas Jurco score two goals and earn first star for the second straight game. Jonathan Huberdeau also notched a pair to give him a team-leading 31 and was named second star. Steven Anthony had a goal and an assist and Michael Kirkpatrick and Stephen MacAulay added singles. Nathan Beaulieu and third star Kevin Gagne had two assists each. Jacob DeSerres made 14 saves for the win.

Jordan Murray and Sebastien Trudeau had the Acadie-Bathurst goals and Robert Steeves made 36 saves in the loss.

It was the seventh straight win for Saint John, as the Sea Dogs improved to 42-5-1-2, including a 24-0-1-1 mark at home. The Titan dropped to 33-17-0-1.

Click HERE to view a complete scoresheet from Wednesday's game.

After making the trek from Bathurst through snowy conditions, the Titan showed no signs of bus legs early, getting on the board at 1:41 of the first period with Murray's goal.

The Sea Dogs responded with a quick goal of their own on a power play to start the second. Kirkpatrick fired home his 21st of the year just 58 seconds in with assists from Gagne and Eric Gelinas.

Anthony made it 2-1 at 2:14, finishing a nice setup from Beaulieu by burying a shot upstairs from the slot. Pierre Durepos had the other assist on the goal, Anthony's 20th of the year.

With fan favourite Garrett Clarke in the box for a double-minor, Jurco took advantage of both power plays the pest's penalties provided to extend the lead with a pair of goals just 17 seconds apart.

Gagne showed great vision to spring him on a short breakaway, which he finished with an incredible deke to the backhand at 12:07. Jurco then banged in a rebound at 12:24 to make it 4-1 and earn Clarke a derisive standing ovation from the Saint John fans as he made the skate of shame back to the Bathurst bench. The outburst gave Jurco 22 goals on the season, and four in the last two games. The Sea Dogs finished 3-for-8 on the power play, while killing the one minor penalty they took.

Huberdeau ran the lead to 5-1, becoming the team's first 30-goal scorer of the year on a long shot at 14:17 of the second. The goal was unassisted but Huberdeau benefited from screening in front by Danick Gauthier and Ryan Tesink.

Trudeau got the Titan back within three at 16:44 of the second, but the Sea Dogs added two more in the third to put the game out of reach.

Huberdeau was credited with his 31st of the year, assisted by Zack Phillips at 4:53 of the final frame, while MacAulay rounded out the summary at 5:31 with helpers by Beaulieu and Mike Thomas.

The Sea Dogs are back in action on the road this weekend with visits to the Moncton Wildcats Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Halifax Mooseheads (7 p.m.) Saturday. 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).

Saint John's next home game is set for Feb. 13 against the Moncton Wildcats, and is expected to be a sellout with tickets going fast for this Valentine's Day themed instalment of the Rivalry Cup. Tickets can be obtained by calling the Harbour Station box office at (506) 657-1234, or by visiting www.tickets.harbourstation.ca.

Check out the Saint John Sea Dogs Statistics



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2011


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