QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs Fall To Screaming Eagles 4-3

Published on March 10, 2010 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


SYDNEY, NS --- The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles locked up third place in the QMJHL Atlantic Division on Wednesday night, earning a 4-3 come-from-behind shootout win over the Saint John Sea Dogs at Centre 200.

By virtue of Wednesday's result, the Sea Dogs are now guaranteed to face the P.E.I. Rocket in Round One of the 2010 President's Cup Playoffs, while the Screaming Eagles will battle the Moncton Wildcats.

Mike Hoffman, Michael Kirkpatrick, and Nathan Beaulieu all scored during regulation for Saint John in their mid-week tilt with Cape Breton, while Tomas Jurco and Jonathan Huberdeau both netted sensational shootout markers in a losing effort. Maxime Legault (2) and Luke Adam provided quantitative offence for the home team in what was a dramatic victory.

Between the pipes Karel St-Laurent suffered the first shootout loss of his career, surrendering three goals in the decisive post-overtime breakaway contest after stopping 26 Screaming Eagles shots during the preceding 65 minutes of action. Edmonton Oilers prospect Olivier Roy, meanwhile, improved to 31-21 on the season after making 35 saves and going 1-for-3 in the shootout.

The Sea Dogs got off to an incredible start on Wednesday, as superstar sniper Mike Hoffman put the visitors ahead on the scoreboard just nine seconds into the match. Hoffman elected to shoot whilst on a two-on-one rush with line-mate Nick Petersen, ripping a high wrist shot over Roy's shoulder to pick up the 46th goal of his overage campaign and tie a team record for quickest game-opening offensive strike.

Karel St-Laurent stopped all seven shots sent his way by Cape Breton skaters in the opening frame, sending the game into intermission number one with the Sea Dogs in possession of a 1-0 lead.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Luke Adam tied things up at one apiece with a power play marker 5:11 into the second period, with North Sydney, NS native Michael Kirkpatrick's responding just 1:11 later to reclaim a one-goal lead for the visitors. The veteran centre buried his 29th of the year from the side of Cape Breton's net after a Jonathan Huberdeau shot caromed off of the back boards and drew Roy out of position, leaving Kirkpatrick looking at a wide open 4 x 6 cage.

A long-range shot off the stick of Nathan Beaulieu gave Saint John an insurance marker 3:32 into the third period, as the sophomore defenseman beat Roy from the point to improve his 2009-10 goals total to twelve. A crease-charging Maxime Legault then knocked a loose puck past a sprawling Karel St-Laurent on his backhand two minutes later, reducing the hosts' deficit to one in the process.

Cape Breton was provided with an excellent opportunity to tie things up at three apiece with 6:52 remaining in regulation when Maxime Legault was awarded a penalty shot, but St-Laurent stymied the overage winger with a stupendous pad save to keep his team in front 3-2. Legault did manage to produce the equalizer 4:47 later however, pouncing on a rebound in close proximity to the sophomore Sea Dogs goalie and shoveling home his second of the night.

The third period ended with some intense physical play, as towering blue-liner Simon Després administered a massive open-ice body check upon Jacob Legacé late in regulation prior to besting Brad Cuzner in the first fight of his major junior career.

After five minutes of overtime solved nothing, Wednesday's contest went to a winner-take-all skills competition. Mike Hoffman was denied on the first attempt of the penalty shot contest, with all five subsequent shooters converting as Cape Breton laid claim to victory by way of the shootout.

Up next for the Sea Dogs is a Friday night matchup with the P.E.I. Rocket at the Charlottetown Civic Centre. The puck drops at 7pm as Saint John looks to wrap up their season series with their opening round playoff opponents in winning fashion.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2010


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