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Majors Open Up The Cup With A Loss To Saint John

May 20, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


Mississauga, ON - The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors opened the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup this evening against the QMJHL Champions, the Saint John Sea Dogs. Despite a strong effort, the Majors could not secure the win, as the Sea Dogs took the first game of the Cup with a 3-2 victory.

Saint John struck first early on in the game, scoring less then two minutes after the drop of the puck. Tomas Jurco got the goal with the assist going to Stanislav Galiev. It didn't take long for the Majors to answer back as Captain Casey Cizikas got the double blue on the board at 7:07 with Stu Percy and Devante Smith-Pelly getting assists. The Majors briefly took the lead a few minutes later when Devante Smith-Pelly notched a powerplay goal at 13:55. As the Majors did in the first half of the period, Saint John answered right back with a powerplay goal of their own. The goal came at 17:35 off the stick of Jonathan Huberdeau with Michael Kirkpatrick and Nathan Beaulieu getting the assists. The Majors were outshot 11-7 in the first period but went to the locker room in a 2-2 tie.

There was only one goal scored in the second period and it gave Saint John the lead. The goal came with Percy sitting in the penalty box, serving a roughing penalty that was assessed at 6:10. Saint John Capitalized 48 seconds later when Kirkpatrick, who had an assist on the Huberdeau goal, scored an unassisted goal at 6:58 to take back a one goal lead for Saint John. The Majors outshot the Sea Dogs 12-8 in the second period, but found themselves trailing 3-2.

Saint John expanded their lead eight minutes into the third period when the familiar faces of Huberdeau, Kirkpatrick and Beaulieu converted again. This time it was Beaulieu connecting for his first goal of the tournament, giving Saint John a two goal lead. Mississauga answered back seconds later at 8:33, when Cizikas scored his second of the game. Smith-Pelly and Percy each recorded their third points of the night with assists on the Cizikas goal. Some penalty trouble made it tough for the Majors to comeback as the Sea Dogs held on for a 4-3 victory. Shots on goal in the third period were 12-8 Saint John.

JP Anderson took the loss in net for Mississauga, making 27 saves on 31 shots. Jacob DeSerres started in net for the Sea Dogs, making 24 saves on 27 shots for the win. The games three stars were Cizikas (3rd), Huberdeau (2nd) and Kirkpatrick (1st).

The Majors will practice tomorrow before getting back in action on Sunday at the Hershey Centre. It will be the Majors first match up with the Western Hockey League as they face Cody Eakin and the Kootenay Ice. The tournament continues tomorrow with Owen Sound facing Kootenay at 7:00 PM at the Hershey Centre. While tomorrow night's game is sold out there are a few tickets remaining for Sunday's game, so visit ticketmaster.ca or the Hershey Centre box office and get yours now.

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