SEA DOGS RING IN THIRD JERSEY WITH A WIN
September 20, 2012,
SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs unveiled their new third jersey in front of 4,009 fans at Harbour Station in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Saturday night. The Sea Dogs defeated by the Gatineau Olympiques by a score of 3-1.
Ryan Tesink had two goals, Olivier LeBlanc had two assists and Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and an assist in the win for the Sea Dogs, while two rookies, Benjamin Hade and Jurij Repe, both recorded assists for their first QMJHL points. Sebastien Auger made 34 saves on 35 shots in the win to put the Sea Dogs at 3-1.
Tomas Hyka replied for the Olympiques and Michael Nishi made 22 saves on 24 shots in the loss as the Olympiques fell to 1-3.
Click HERE to view a complete scoresheet from Saturday’s game. For interviews and highlights, visit Sea Dogs TV, the team’s official YouTube channel.
Aidan Kelly started thing off with a great chance right in front off a pass from Jonathan Huberdeau behind the net.
Auger played his part to keep the game scoreless in the first half, splaying out the pads with Gatineau forwards right on the doorstep on two different occasions. Just before the mid-way point, Auger slid hard to deny the Olympiques a chance on a cross-ice play. Just after half, he did it again on the opposite wing, showing off his flexibility and speed.
Huberdeau somehow skated away from a jumble at centre ice with the puck on his stick, giving the Dogs their best chance in the second half of the first with only seconds left on the clock.
Auger started the second on a great note with another great save on a Gatineau break into the zone.
Tesink broke the deadlock at 10:51 with an excellent showing of hand eye co-ordination. Rookie Hade skated in with the puck, trying to feed a pass to Huberdeau on the opposite wing. The pass hit Tesink and fell at his feet where he backhanded a shot at Nishi. He whacked at the puck again and batted it out of mid air and into the net. The assist was Hade’s first QMJHL point.
Oliver Cooper sent a feed in front for a streaking Jason Seed who tipped it right on near the end of the second.
Huberdeau extended the Sea Dogs lead on a great passing play with Repe and Kelly cutting into the offensive zone.
Auger received a standing ovation with the Sea Dogs down two men in the final minutes.
Seconds later, with 4:29 remaining, the shutout bid came to an end as Hyka was open on the man advantage to put one past Auger.
Tesink added his second of the game, an empty-net goal, to seal the win at 18:49 with assists from Huberdeau and LeBlanc.
The Sea Dogs are on the road for their next match as they take on the Moncton Wildcats at the Moncton Coliseum Sunday afternoon at 3 PM. Fans can catch all the action by tuning into Tim Roszell on News 88.9 FM or on the TELUS webcast (additional fees may apply). The Dogs return home Friday to take on Nathan MacKinnon and the Halifax Mooseheads. Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office, www.tickets.harbourstation.ca and 657-1234.
