Sea Dogs soar in 5-2 win over Screaming Eagles
Published on February 22, 2009 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
SAINT JOHN, NB --- Rookie Saint John Sea Dogs forward Nicolas Pard doubled his career goals total on Sunday afternoon, netting his first hat trick at the major junior level in leading his team to a 5-2 win over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in front of 4,472 fans at Harbour Station.
Yann Sauvé and Payton Liske also scored for the Sea Dogs on Sunday, while sophomore centre Michael Kirkpatrick dished out three assists on the afternoon.
Between the pipes, import goalie Robert Mayer turned in one of his strongest performances of the year, stopping 42 of the 44 shots sent his way in registering the 23rd win of his season.
At the other end of the ice, Joey Haddad and J-C Gauthier each tallied markers for the visitors, while rookie net minder Christopher Holden fell to 10-8 after becoming the goaltender of record in a relief appearance.
After exchanging goals early in the first period, Nicolas Pard scored twice in the sixth minute of play to both give Saint John a 3-1 lead and chase reigning QMJHL Rookie of the Year Olivier Roy from Cape Breton's net.
Robert Mayer then came up with several noteworthy saves in the second half of the opening frame, preventing the Screaming Eagles from cutting into his team's lead as Sunday's match reached the twenty minute mark with the hosts leading by a pair.
Mayer's workload continued to be heavy well into the second period, as the visiting squad from northern Nova Scotia registered 17 of the stanza's first 19 shots on goal.
After veteran winger Joey Haddad scored on a one-timer to pull the Screaming Eagles to within one of the Sea Dogs, a crease-hovering Nicolas Pard put the finishing touches on his first career hat trick during a Saint John power play. The 18-year old winger redirected a crisp Michael Kirkpatrick pass to the back of Cape Breton's net 12:37 into the middle frame in an offensive strike nearly identical to his first period man-up marker.
Saint John went up by a field goal 1:37 into the third period on a sensational individual effort by overage forward Payton Liske. After gaining control of the puck in the neutral zone, the Welland, ON native stick-handled around Cape Breton defensemen Mathieu Brodeur and Michael Ward prior to beating Holden cleanly with a well-placed shot, making his career-high 19th goal of highlight-reel-calibre.
Mayer came up with one of his best stops of the day ten minutes later, stoning Michael Stinziani from point-blank range with a shoulder save shortly after the 19-year old winger had stripped the puck from a Sea Dogs player deep in Saint John territory.
The visitors were unable to reduce their deficit in the closing minutes of regulation, as Saint John kept the Screaming Eagles at bay throughout the duration of the third period as they improved their record to 29-26-2-2 with a 5-2 win at the expense of their divisional rivals.
Up next for the Sea Dogs is a Friday night tilt with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at Harbour Station. Tickets to this 7:30pm contest are available by calling the arena box office at (506) 657-1234
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2009
- Juniors take care of business in 4-1 win - Montreal Juniors
- Lewiston Defeats Victoriaville, 4-2 - Lewiston MAINEiacs
- Wildcats cap weekend with dramatic 3-2 victory - Moncton Wildcats
- Sea Dogs soar in 5-2 win over Screaming Eagles - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Fans Choice Awards Set For March 16th - Moncton Wildcats
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