Phillips & Piché Lead Sea Dogs to 5-0 Win Over Rocket
September 19, 2010 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI --- The Saint John Sea Dogs' red hot start continued unabated on Sunday night, as the Port City's major junior squad improved to 4-0 on the season after earning a 5-0 win over the P.E.I. Rocket at the Charlottetown Civic Centre. Saint John outshot their Maritime Division rivals 42-17 in laying claim to their first road victory of the 2010-11 campaign.
Fredericton, NB native Zack Phillips led the visitors' attack on Sunday, scoring three special teams goals on the evening to register his second career hat trick. Sophomore forward Jonathan Huberdeau also found the back of the net for the Sea Dogs, as did former Saint John AAA Vito's star Aidan Kelly.
On the goaltending front, veteran Frédéric Piché stopped all 17 shots fired upon him by Rocket skaters to pick up the second shutout of his career. At the other end of the ice, rookie Maxime Legacé made 37 saves for P.E.I. in a losing effort.
The lone goal of period number one came off the stick of second-year sniper Zack Phillips, who took a pass from Tomas Jurco deep in Rocket territory and proceeded to beat Legacé on a bullet of a shot released from a sharp angle. Pierre Durepos also picked up an assist on Phillips' man-up marker, which came at the 19:25 mark of the opening stanza.
Saint John went up 2-0 win the 27th minute of play when offensive specialist Jonathan Huberdeau chipped a loose puck past a sprawling Legacé to extend his season-opening goal-scoring streak to four games. Ryan Tesink and Gabriel Bourret both drew helpers on Huberdeau's lead-doubling tally.
The Sea Dogs took a three-goal lead during a 5-on-3 power play, with Zack Phillips redirecting a long-range one-timer from Pierre Durepos to the back of the hosts' net at the 19:36 mark of the middle frame. Rugged winger Danick Gauthier earned the secondary assist on the play a moment after very-nearly scoring himself.
A rough-and-tumble third period produced much in the way of penalties but little in the way of offence until Zack Phillips put the finishing touches on his hat trick at the 13:35 mark of regulation's final frame. In the midst of a penalty kill the 17-year-old puck wizard intercepted an errant Rocket pass in the neutral zone and proceeded to outmaneuver a P.E.I. defender as well as the home team's goaltender, beating the freshman net minder on a low backhander.
Aidan Kelly put the visitors up by five 1:41 later, jamming home his first of the year after he and his shiftmates had produced several quality chances during an impressive power play. Scott Oke earned his first career point on Kelly's man-up marker, picking up an assist on the late-match offensive strike. Saint John cruised to victory from there on in, ultimately taking the decision by a 5-0 final.
The Sea Dogs' first road trip of the season continues on Friday night as the reigning QMJHL regular season champs skate into the Verdun Auditorium for a 7pm EDT/8pm ADT clash with the Montreal Juniors. Saint John's next home game is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 8 at 7:30pm versus the Moncton Wildcats.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from September 19, 2010
- Phillips & Piché Lead Sea Dogs to 5-0 Win Over Rocket - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Juniors Fall Short of Victory in Overtime - Montreal Juniors
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