Sea Dogs Win Hard-Fought Opener
Published on April 8, 2011 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Saint John Sea Dogs News Release
SAINT JOHN, N.B. - The Victoriaville Tigres proved a worthy opponent, but the Saint John Sea Dogs prevailed 4-1 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven President's Cup quarter-final series.
Jonathan Huberdeau scored the game-winning goal and added two assists, including one on Stanislav Galiev's insurance marker. Galiev has scored in all five Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff contests thus far. Tomas Jurco opened the scoring for the Sea Dogs, Steven Anthony added an empty-netter and Jacob DeSerres made 29 saves for the win before 4,840 fans at Harbour Station.
Yanni Gourde scored for Victoriaville and David Honzik made 39 saves in the loss.
Click HERE http://en.lhjmq.qc.ca/schedule/show/game/49655 for a complete score sheet from Friday's game.
The Sea Dogs tripled Victoriaville in shots, 18-6, in the first period, but Jurco's goal at 5:09 was the only puck to cross the line. The slick Slovakian tipped an Eric Gelinas point shot past Honzik for his third of the playoffs. Steven Anthony picked up the other assist.
Honzik and the Victoriaville defense held Saint John off the scoresheet for much of the second period. In a goalmouth scramble early in the frame, the puck twice bounced dangerously close to the goal line, but the collapsing Tigres managed to keep it out. Video review confirmed the puck didn't quite make it across the line.
The Czech netminder's best stop came on Scott Oke's deke to the backhand on a short breakaway in the 12th minute. He denied Oke on another chance later that shift, stopping the rookie forward's skilful redirection of a Mike Thomas shot. DeSerres made a nice save of his own a minute later, flashing the glove to snag a Francois Godin point shot.
The Tigres equalized on a power play at 13:55 of the second. After Pierre Durepos made a goalie-style stop on Gourde with DeSerres down and out, Victoriaville was able to work it back around to him to DeSerres' right. Gourde converted for his third of the post-season, with assists from Phillip Danault and Samuel Groulx.
Huberdeau put the Dogs ahead 2-1 at 17:16 of the second, banging in a Michael Kirkpatrick rebound to bring to life what had been a quiet crowd. Simon Despres collected the other assist on the goal, Huberdeau's sixth of the playoffs.
Saint John's third goal came on a 2-on-2 at 7:18 of the third. Galiev sped in behind the defense as Huberdeau carried the puck across the offensive zone from right to left. The highly-touted NHL draft prospect found Galiev with a perfect pass and he finished for his sixth, tying him with Huberdeau for the team lead.
Victoriaville pulled Honzik for an extra attacker with less than two minutes to go, and called a timeout with 1:12 left. Mike Thomas then took a delay of game penalty with 33 seconds left, giving the Tigres a 6-on-4. But Anthony iced it with an empty-netter nine seconds later.
Game Two is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Harbour Station. Plenty of good seats are still available. 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 have also announced a variety of options for 2011-12 season-ticket and flex packages. Packages range from $301 for youth upper bowl tickets to $493 for adult lower bowl. For complete information on season-ticket and flex pricing and benefits, please visit www.saintjohnseadogs.com .
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2011
- Juniors Complete Comeback In Overtime - Montreal Juniors
- Junior Steal Game One, 6-5 in Overtime - Lewiston MAINEiacs
- Sea Dogs Win Hard-Fought Opener - Saint John Sea Dogs
- Road Report from Montreal - Lewiston MAINEiacs
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