January 22, 2012

BATHURST – The Saint John Sea Dogs overcame a slow start on the road with five unanswered goals on the way to a 5-2 win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan Sunday.

Zack Phillips had two goals and an assist for the Sea Dogs, Charles Roussel and Charlie Coyle had a goal and an assist each and Jonathan Huberdeau racked up three assists. Danick Gauthier tallied a single to round out the summary, and Sebastien Auger made 30 saves for his second win in as many decisions. It was the third straight victory for Saint John, and sixth in seven games, as the team improved to 34-13-0-2 and moved into a tie with Shawinigan for first overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Zach O’Brien and Mirko Hoefflin scored for the Titan, and Robert Steeves made 18 saves in the loss as Bathurst fell to 23-20-2-3.

Click HERE to view a complete scoresheet from Sunday’s game. For interviews and highlights, visit Sea Dogs TV, the team’s official YouTube channel.

Saint John’s Nathan Beaulieu was called for boarding 2:56 into the game, and added an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to give Bathurst back-to-back power plays. O’Brien opened the scoring with his league-best 42^nd at 3:13, assisted by Hoefflin. Hoefflin then scored a goal of his own at 4:37, with the assists going to O’Brien and Sebastien Trudeau.

The Sea Dogs stormed back, however, with Roussel following up a Phillips rebound for his 10^th of the year at 6:47. Huberdeau picked up the other assist. Coyle then evened things up at 9:35, throwing a puck to the front of the net that found its way in. Pierre Durepos and Roussel received assists as Coyle scored his fifth goal in four QMJHL games.

Phillips put Saint John in front at 12:53, taking a loose puck at the bottom of the left-wing circle and firing it through a scramble. Coyle and Huberdeau picked up the assists. Phillips added another 3:45 into the second period, burying a feed from Huberdeau for his 25^th to make it 4-2. Ian Saab had the other assist on the play.

Gauthier padded the lead with his team-best 35^th of the season on a power play at 11:45 of the second. Gauthier took a pass from Tomas Jurco and wired it home from the top of the right-wing circle.

Bathurst threw 14 shots at Auger in the third period, to Saint John’s four, but could not beat the rookie goaltender who – apart from an 84-second stretch in the first period – has been unbeatable in two starts.

Saint John returns home Thursday to face the Moncton Wildcats in the next instalment of the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup at 7 p.m. The Sea Dogs are hoping for a second straight sellout as upper-bowl tickets are just $10. In addition, the Sea Dogs are accepting donations in partnership with Aeropostale for the fifth annual Teens For Jeans campaign. Fans can donate any brand or size of gently worn jeans, which will be given to local charities that serve homeless teens. Fans making a donation will receive a coupon for 25 per cent off a pair of new Aero jeans at Aeropostale, and a chance to win a pair of Aero jeans signed by the Sea Dogs.

Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office, by calling 506-657-1234 or online at www.tickets.harbourstation.ca.