Sports stats



QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs Drop 5-2 Decision to MAINEiacs in Lewiston

December 10, 2010 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


LEWISTON, ME --- On the strength of a sensational 44-save performance by overage goaltender Nicholas Champion, the Lewiston MAINEiacs defeated the Saint John Sea Dogs by a score of 5-2 at Androscoggin Bank Coliseum on Friday night, resultantly splitting the season series between the two clubs at one win apiece. Despite this setback, Saint John remains the winningest team in the QMJHL with a record of 26-4-0-2.

Antoine Houde-Caron, Olivier Dame-Malka, Michael Chaput, Samuel Henley, and Étienne Brodeur all found the back of the net for the MAINEiacs on Friday while Simon Després and Jonathan Huberdeau responded for the Sea Dogs. Between the pipes for Saint John, Frédéric Piché stopped 31 of the 36 shots sent his way by Lewiston skaters on the night in suffering his fourth defeat of the season.

The home team struck first on Friday as Antoine Houde-Caron converted on a breakaway opportunity just a few seconds after Stanislav Galiev was robbed by Nicholas Champion on a close-range backhander after deking his way through Lewiston's defence in the 16th minute of play. A bullet of a slap shot off the stick of Olivier Dame-Malka then gave the MAINEiacs a 2-0 lead at the 16:23 mark of the opening frame.

Saint John cut Lewiston's lead in half early in the second period on a tremendous individual effort by superstar blue-liner Simon Després. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect did a complete lap of the hosts' zone with the puck firmly fastened to his stick prior to ripping a hard backhand shot at Champion and proceeding to bang home his own rebound to match his career high for goals in a season with nine. Michael Kirkpatrick picked up the lone assist on Després' power play tally, surpassing Chris DiDomenico for sole possession of the #2 spot on the Sea Dogs' all-time scoring list with 205 career points in the process.

The MAINEiacs' two-goal advantage was restored by Samuel Henley, who knocked home the eighth tally of his sophomore campaign at the 15:14 mark of the middle frame. Veteran speedster Étienne Brodeur then buried a one-timer from the slot a moment later, both registering his league-best 27th goal of the season and giving his team a 4-1 scoreboard advantage as Friday's showdown reached the forty minute mark.

Second-year scoring sensation Jonathan Huberdeau reduced the visitors' deficit to two 11:03 into the third period, roofing a loose puck over a sprawling Nicholas Champion to pick up the 22nd goal of his season. Zack Phillips and Kevin Gagné both drew helpers on the play. The MAINEiacs responded three-and-a-half minutes later however, with Michael Chaput finishing off an odd-man rush by netting his ninth goal of the year to put the hosts up 5-2. Chaput's even-strength marker proved to be the final offensive strike of the evening for either team, as Lewiston ultimately the decision by a three-goal margin.

Up next for the Port City's major junior squad is a Sunday afternoon home game versus the Halifax Mooseheads (puck drop: 4pm). Designated Holiday Fun Day, this match will mark the final time the Sea Dogs play at Harbour Station prior to the league's mid-season break. Saint John (16-0-0-1) has yet to lose in regulation on home ice this year, Tickets to this contest can be obtained by calling the arena 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 10, 2010


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