Sea Dogs Stunned by Rocket
Published on March 16, 2011 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - The Saint John Sea Dogs suffered just their seventh regulation loss of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season Wednesday, 5-2 at the hands of the Prince Edward Island Rocket.
Ben Duffy had two goals and an assist and Evan Mosher turned in 37 saves as P.E.I. prevailed in a makeup game that was originally scheduled for Dec. 28 but was postponed due to a snowstorm.
Jonathan Huberdeau and Tomas Jurco scored for the visiting Sea Dogs and Jacob DeSerres made 24 saves. DeSerres was making his first start in 11 days after recovering from illness.
The Sea Dogs sit at 56-7-1-2 heading into the final two games of the regular season. Saint John has already clinched the Jean Rougeau Trophy as regular-season champions and sits two wins short of the record of 58 established by the Sorel Eperviers in 1973-74 and matched by the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs in 1978-79. P.E.I. improved to 32-25-3-6.
Mosher has certainly proven his mettle against the Sea Dogs this season. Saint John established a team record with 67 shots Jan. 11 against the P.E.I. netminder, who stole a point in a 3-2 shootout loss.
The goaltender brought his best again on Wednesday, starting with two highlight-reel saves in the first period. Ryan Tesink had plenty of net to shoot at on a rebound attempt midway through the frame, but Mosher threw himself to his left to get a piece of it. Shortly thereafter, Huberdeau walked out front after a draw to Mosher's left, had the goalie down and out, but Mosher extended his right arm to rob Huberdeau with his outstretched stick.
P.E.I. then got a break thanks to a wild bounce off the back boards from a shoot-in. A surprised DeSerres steered the puck to the right of his net, but Olivier Croteau quickly cashed in a high shot at 17:33 of the first to give the home team a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.
Duffy extended the lead at 13:50 of the second, potting Andrej Nestrasil's rebound. Duffy then set up Travis McIsaac just 26 seconds later to make it 3-0. Dylan Capstick assisted on both markers.
The Sea Dogs seemed like they might be snakebitten all night, as Mosher stoned Zack Phillips, Stanislav Galiev and Huberdeau all on the same power play early in the third. Huberdeau finally broke through at 4:07 of the final frame. After a faceoff to Mosher's left, Huberdeau somehow dug a puck out of a goalmouth scrum to break the shutout. Phillips and Kevin Gagne assisted on the goal, Huberdeau's 42nd of the season.
Just 20 seconds later, the Rocket came right back down and scored. Adam Polasek found Duffy left alone to DeSerres' right, and he deposited his second of the night and 37th of the year into a wide-open cage.
Jurco knocked in a rebound to restore some hope, making it 4-2 on a power play at 16:26. Steven Anthony and Eric Gelinas had the assists on the goal, Jurco's 31st. Saint John then made a last-ditch effort, pulling DeSerres in favour of the extra attacker with more than two minutes remaining. But after some sustained pressure by the Sea Dogs, Croteau blocked a Simon Despres point shot and fought the puck away to set up Noel for the backbreaking empty netter.
Saint John's next home game is at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Fans are encouraged to wear green as the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles visit on this St. Patrick's Day themed night. The final regular-season game is set for 4 p.m. Sunday against the Rocket and will be Fan Appreciation Day, featuring a guaranteed 50/50 pot of $10,000.
Tickets can be obtained by calling the Harbour Station box office at (506) 657-1234, or by visiting www.tickets.harbourstation.ca. The Sea Dogs would like to remind fans holding flex tickets to cash them in soon to avoid being disappointed by waiting until the last minute. These tickets do not carry over to playoffs and are redeemed on a first come, first served basis.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2011
- Sea Dogs Stunned by Rocket - Saint John Sea Dogs
- CHL Announces BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 Rankings - QMJHL
- Unforgettable Trip to Lewiston Proves to be Highlight of 2010-11 Season - Lewiston MAINEiacs
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