QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs Dominate Division Rivals in Cape Breton

December 17, 2010 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


SYDNEY, N.S. --- The top-ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League showed finesse and toughness on the way to a 6-2 win over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Friday night.

Stanislav Galiev had two goals and an assist, while first star Zack Phillips also scored a pair, including his team-high 25th, to lead the Saint John Sea Dogs to their 12th win in 13 outings. Nathan Beaulieu and Michael Kirkpatrick added singles. Ryan Tesink and Jonathan Huberdeau chipped in two assists each. Meanwhile, captain Mike Thomas acquitted himself well in one of two late fights to set the tone for a Saturday rematch.

Frederic Piche made 22 saves for the win at Centre 200 in Sydney, N.S., as Saint John improved to 28-4-0-2 and remains first overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League exactly halfway through the 68-game schedule.

Spencer Metcalfe and Cory MacIntosh scored for the Screaming Eagles, while Andrew Hayes made 24 saves in a losing cause as Cape Breton fell to 10-24-1-2 and remain in the Maritimes Division cellar.

Beaulieu opened the scoring with his sixth goal of the year, a shot from the left point that eluded Hayes at 11:49 of the first period. No assists were awarded, but hard work along the boards by rookies Jason Cameron and Scott Oke gave the Sea Dogs possession.

Just 30 seconds later the Sea Dogs were celebrating again, when Galiev beat Hayes for his 15th goal of the campaign. Tesink drew the assist.

After some strong penalty killing by Saint John late in the first, veteran blueliner Metcalfe got the Eagles back within one at 18:15 on a shot from the right point. Wes Herrett and Alexandre Carrier were awarded assists on the hard-nosed defenceman ‚¬â„¢s second goal of the year.

Kirkpatrick restored the two-goal lead just 1:05 into the second period. Galiev won the puck behind the net and centered it to the North Sydney, N.S., native, who scored his 10th of the season to make it 3-1. Tesink picked up the other assist.

Phillips extended the lead to 4-1 at 8:15 of the middle frame, beating Hayes to the blocker side from the left-wing circle. Huberdeau had the lone assist on the play.

Phillips added another insurance marker on a power play at 4:58 of the third period for his team-leading 25th goal. The 2011 NHL draft prospect from Fredericton finished a beautiful passing play from Huberdeau and Steven Anthony to make it 5-1.

MacIntosh scored for the Eagles at 11:18, finishing a nice drive from the right wing for his seventh goal of the season from Logan Shaw.

Tempers boiled over midway through the third, as MacIntosh and Gabriel Bourret chucked knuckles in the undercard at 11:29 before Metcalfe and Thomas squared off in a heavyweight bout at centre ice three seconds later.

Galiev, who was named second star, rounded out the scoring with an unassisted marker at 17:32 to make it 6-2 and set a new personal high for goals with his 16th.

The Maritimes Division rivals are back in action Saturday night at Centre 200, as they wrap up their first-half schedule with another 7 p.m. start. Tune in to News 88.9 FM for Tim Roszell ‚¬â„¢s live broadcast, or stream the action online via the official TELUS QMJHL webcast (click HERE to order; charges apply).

The Sea Dogs resume their home schedule on New Year ‚¬â„¢s Eve against the rival Moncton Wildcats, a 4 p.m. start Dec. 31 at Harbour Station. Tickets to this match 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 December 17, 2010


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