QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs rout Rocket 7-2, take series in five games

March 26, 2010 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release


SAINT JOHN, NB --- For the second time in franchise history the Saint John Sea Dogs advanced to the QMJHL quarter-finals on Friday night, eliminating the P.E.I. Rocket from President's Cup contention on the strength of a 7-2 home win in Game 5 of the divisional rivals' opening round playoff series.

Rookie winger Jonathan Huberdeau led the way on offence for Saint John, recording 3G-1A-4P to capture First Star of the Game honours. Mike Thomas (2), Danick Gauthier, and Stanislav Galiev also found the back of the net for the Sea Dogs, while Nick Petersen dished out three assists on the evening. Jonathan Bonneau and Benjamin Casavant, meanwhile, both scored for P.E.I. in a losing effort.

Anaheim Ducks prospect Marco Cousineau picked up the 18th post-season win of his career between the pipes for Saint John, turning aside 27 of the 29 shots sent his way by Rocket skaters. At the other end of the ice, 19-year old goaltender Evan Mosher suffered the loss in net for the Rocket, surrendering seven goals on 41 shots faced during a busy night in net for the visitors.

The home team struck first on Friday, as Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Nick Petersen stormed into Prince Edward Island's zone with a full head of steam, stick-handled his way around a would-be defender, and unleashed a hard backhand shot that Mosher somehow managed to stop with a sprawling pad save. A net-charging Jonathan Huberdeau was on hand to bury the rebound however, as the 16-year old sniper banged home his third of the playoffs.

Import forward Stanislav Galiev doubled the Sea Dogs' lead thirteen minutes later, finishing off a sensational passing play in P.E.I. territory by wiring home his second of the post-season. Nick Petersen and Jonathan Huberdeau both picked up well-earned assists on the play.

The Rocket got on the scoreboard 7:06 into period number two, with a crease-hovering Benjamin Casavant redirecting a hard, cross-ice pass from J-P Mathieau across the Sea Dogs' goal line to tally the third marker of his post-season.

Saint John's two-goal lead was restored 6:53 later courtesy of some more brilliantly-orchestrated offensive zone puck movement, as Jonathan Huberdeau netted his second goal of the night at the end of an impressive passing play involving Michael Kirkpatrick and Nick Petersen. Team Captain Mike Thomas then put the hosts up 4-1 in the thirty-fifth minute of the play, beating Mosher on a bullet of a wrist shot from the slot to record his third career playoff goal.

The Sea Dogs' lead was further added to midway through the third period when Danick Gauthier scored on an incredible end-to-end rush to make the second goal of his post-season of the highlight-reel variety. Jonathan Bonneau replied for the visitors a moment later, with Jonathan Huberdeau putting the finishing touches on his hat trick shortly thereafter. Mike Thomas then finished the scoring off with his second of the night, which came at the 18:07 mark of regulation's final frame.

Saint John's second round series versus a to-be-determined opponent will get underway on Friday, April 2 at 7:30pm at Harbour Station. Tickets to Games 1 & 2 of the Sea Dogs' quarter-final showdown will go on sale on Saturday at 12pm noon at the arena box office (657-1234).

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2010


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