February 3, 2012

SAINT JOHN – In a game that featured plenty of chances but few goals, the Saint John Sea Dogs came away with a 3-2 shootout win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs Friday.

Jonathan Huberdeau and Tomas Jurco scored in the breakaway contest to give the Sea Dogs the bonus point and their sixth straight Quebec Major Junior Hockey League win. Charlie Coyle and Ryan Tesink scored in regulation and Nathan Beaulieu had two assists. Sebastien Auger made 29 saves for his third win in as many decisions as Saint John improved to 37-13-0-2.

Guillaume Gauthier had a goal and an assist for the Voltigeurs and Marc-Olivier Brouillard had the other Drummondville goal. Domenic Graham made 43 saves in a losing cause for the Volts, who fell to 21-25-2-5.

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

The shots were 15-13 in favour of Saint John in the first period, with several quality chances, but Auger and Graham traded saves at either end to keep the game scoreless.

Gauthier broke the deadlock with an unassisted marker at 7:58 of the second period.

The Sea Dogs evened things up on Coyle’s power-play marker at 13:03 of the middle frame. After the Dogs controlled for a long stretch in the offensive zone, Coyle knocked a rebound off the back boards down and into the net. Beaulieu, who fired the point shot, and Zack Phillips assisted on the goal, Coyle’s sixth of the season. Although Saint John outshot Drummondville 17-8 in the second, Coyle’s goal was the only puck they could get past Graham.

The Dogs took the lead 1:36 into the third period on an impressive display of skill by Tesink. The St. Louis Blues prospect fed Beaulieu at the right point, drove to the net and deflected a slap pass from the defenceman in from the high slot. Charles Roussel picked up the other assist on the goal, Tesink’s ninth of the year. It was the first goal since Nov. 20 for the 18-year-old, playing his third game after missing 18 due to injury.

The Voltigeurs thought they had a tying goal later in the final frame when a shot ricocheted off the post and off Auger and trickled towards the goal line. The Voltigeurs celebrated as though it was a goal as the goaltender reached back to scoop it up, but video review confirmed the puck did not cross the line. But Brouillard finally found the equalizer with Graham pulled for an extra attacker, knocking the puck in from his perch to Auger’s right with 18 seconds to go in regulation.

After overtime solved nothing, shootout specialists Huberdeau and Jurco each delivered on dekes to the forehand to beat Graham, while Auger shut the door on Gauthier and Brouillard.

Saint John’s road trip continues Saturday in Shawinigan as the Sea Dogs visit the Cataractes at 5 p.m. Atlantic Time. Tim Roszell,will have the call on News 88.9 FM. Fans can also catch all the action online via the official TELUS QMJHL webcast (click HERE to order; charges apply).

The Sea Dogs return home on Feb. 12 when they host the Prince Edward Island Rocket for the annual Journée des Francofans and Valentine’s Day Spectacular. Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office, by calling 506-657-1234 or online at www.tickets.harbourstation.ca.