Screaming Eagles defeat Sea Dogs in 8-3 in game three
Published on March 24, 2009 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
SAINT JOHN, NB --- The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles took a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven opening round playoff series with the Saint John Sea Dogs on Tuesday night, skating into Harbour Station and producing a decisive 8-3 victory.
Eight players turned in multi-point performances for the Screaming Eagles on Tuesday, with 18-year old centre Nicolas Choiunard leading the offensive assault by registering 2G-2A-4P. Taylor MacDougal also scored twice for Cape Breton, while Robert Slaney, Stephen Horyl, Nick MacNeil and Joey Haddad contributed single markers to the visitors' lofty scoring total.
Meanwhile, Olivier Ouellet, Payton Liske, and Ryan Sparling replied for the Sea Dogs in a losing effort, with Vancouver Canucks prospect Yann Sauvé dishing out a pair of assists on the evening.
Between the pipes, Cape Breton's Oliver Roy made 24 saves in picking up his eighth career President's Cup Playoff win, while rookie Karel St-Laurent suffered the loss for Saint John after surrendering four goals on 17 shots faced in a relief appearance.
The first minute of action produced a huge amount of excitement on Tuesday, as a pair of thrilling plays from a couple of native Cape Bretoners gave the Sea Dogs an early adrenaline boost. A few seconds after Ryan Sparling administered a massive body check upon Robert Slaney in the visitors' zone, Saint John's M.V.P. Michael Kirkpatrick was awarded a penalty shot after being hauled down on a breakaway by an overeager defender. The 18-year old offensive dynamo elected to shoot on his opportunity, but was denied by Olivier Roy's left shoulder as the game remained scoreless in the early-going.
After Cape Breton took a 2-0 lead on goals by Joey Haddad and Nicolas Chouinard, overage winger Ryan Sparling got Saint John on the scoreboard with a hard-earned tally. The veteran speedster jammed home a loose puck deep in Screaming Eagles territory to register his sixth career post-season goal in the tenth minute of play.
The visiting squad from northern Nova Scotia struck again five-and-a-half minutes later, with Taylor MacDougall putting his team up 3-1 on a well-placed shot that eluded starting Sea Dogs net minder Robert Mayer on its journey to the back of the net.
Karel St-Laurent took over goaltending duties for the hosts at the start of the second period and was tested almost immediately by Stephen Horyl. The 18-year centre old worked a foosball-esque give-and-go play with a teammate in close proximity to Saint John's net prior to unleashing a low, hard shot that St-Laurent blocked with a sensational right pad save.
On the ensuing down-ice rush, Payton Liske pulled the Sea Dogs to within immediate striking distance of Cape Breton, banging home a rebound produced by a Mike Thomas shot to register the second goal of his post-season.
The Screaming Eagles then reeled off three unanswered goals to take a 6-2 lead 12:44 into the middle frame.
Sophomore forward Olivier Ouellet reduced Saint John's deficit to three on a booming slap shot from the point that beat Roy high, glove side at the 15:58 mark of the middle frame, offering a modicum of hope to the Harbour Station faithful in the process.
Cape Breton would respond two minutes later however, with Taylor MacDougall converting on the power play to put his team up 7-3.
Nick MacNeil put the Screaming Eagles up by five early in period number three, with the reinstatement of Mayer in net for Saint John doing little to impede the momentum produced by the prodigious onslaught of Cape Breton's shooters.
The Sea Dogs were unable to cut into their opponents lead from there on in, ultimately falling by a score of 8-3.
These teams will meet again on Wednesday night at Harbour Station, with Saint John facing potential elimination from the post-season. The puck drops at 7pm as the Sea Dogs seek to pick up their first win of the series on home ice. Tickets to this game are available by calling the arena box office at 657-1234.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2009
- Drummondville Defeats Lewiston, 7-2 - Lewiston MAINEiacs
- Juniors win 4-1, lead series 2-1 - Montreal Juniors
- Screaming Eagles defeat Sea Dogs in 8-3 in game three - Saint John Sea Dogs
- MAINEiacs Will Stay in Lewiston - Lewiston MAINEiacs
- Wildcats tickets for J. Louis Levesque ready for pick-up - Moncton Wildcats
- Game Three Tonight - P.E.I. Rocket
- Sea Dogs Mascot Splash Announces His Retirement - Saint John Sea Dogs
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