QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs Down Drakkar 4-2, Win 12th Straight

Published on November 12, 2009 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


SAINT JOHN, NB --- The Saint John Sea Dogs set a pair of team records on Thursday night, extending their franchise-best winning streak to a dozen games while registering an all-time-high 55 shots on goal in defeating the Baie-Comeau Drakkar by a score of 4-2 at Harbour Station.

Tomas Jurco, Michael Kirkpatrick, Pierre Durepos (#3 Star), and Mike Hoffman (#1 Star) all scored for Saint John in the record-setting victory, while Gabriel Bourque and Marc-Olivier Mimar responded for Baie-Comeau.

Rookie Drakkar goalie Simon Giroux was stellar in a losing effort for the visitors, making a grand total of 51 saves in earning Second Star of the Game honours. Karel St-Laurent, meanwhile, picked up his seventh win of the year in net for the Sea Dogs after turning aside 17 of the 19 shots sent his way by Drakkar skaters.

The home team drew first blood on Thursday, as Mike Hoffman banked in the tenth goal of his overage campaign off of a Drakkar defenseman's shin pad from the left face-off circle during a Saint John power play. Yann Sauvé and Michael Kirkpatrick both picked up assists on Hoffman's man-up marker, which came at the 6:45 mark of the first period.

Baie-Comeau tied things up on a power play of their own three minutes later, as Nashville Predators prospect Gabriel Bourque scored in a manner not dissimilar to Hoffman in registering his seventh goal of the year. Antoine Létourneau and David Cliche drew helpers on the play.

The Sea Dogs then retook the lead in the 18th minute of play, with rookie winger Tomas Jurco wiring a high snap shot past a sprawling Giroux to bring an abrupt end to a lengthy scramble in Drakkar territory. Jurco's goal proved to be the final offensive strike of the opening frame, as Saint John entered the first intermission owning a 2-1 lead on the scoreboard and a 20-6 advantage on the shot clock.

Saint John doubled their lead midway through the second period when Shediac, NB native Pierre Durepos scored on a long-range wrist shot that eluded Giroux on its netward journey, giving the rookie rearguard his first career goal.

A wraparound goal off the stick of Marc-Olivier Mimar pulled the Drakkar back to within one three-and-a-half minutes later; the sophomore winger grabbed a loose puck behind the Saint John net and made a series of jukes prior to tucking home his seventh of the year.

Saint John added an insurance goal 13:54 into the third period when Mike Hoffman hit a streaking Michael Kirkpatrick with a crisp saucer pass through the neutral zone, springing the veteran sniper on a breakaway. Kirkpatrick made no mistake on the prime scoring opportunity, ripping a shot over Giroux's shoulder to improve his 2009-10 goals total to five.

The Sea Dogs cruised to victory from there on in, ultimately taking the decision by a 4-2 final.

Up next for Saint John (20-4-1-0) is a Saturday night showdown with Acadie-Bathurst (8-13-2-1) at Harbour Station. The puck drops at 7pm as the Sea Dogs look to extend their winning streak to a baker's dozen with a victory over their provincial adversaries. Tickets to this match are available by calling the arena box office at 657-1234.

Check out the Saint John Sea Dogs Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central