EP.119.0 SAINT JOHN SEA DOGS VS MONCTON WILDCATS - SEASON 6 - GAME 26 HIGHLIGHTS

SEA DOGS CLINCH RIVALRY CUP IN WIN OVER WILDCATS

SAINT JOHN -- After a lopsided win in their last meeting, the Saint John Sea Dogs needed a shootout to come out on top of a close battle with the Moncton Wildcats Sunday by a 3-2 score.

Tomas Jurco and Stanislav Galiev scored third-period goals to send the game to overtime, then Jurco and Jonathan Huberdeau scored in the shootout for the extra point. Eric Gelinas had two assists, while Jacob DeSerres stopped 23 shots and two more in the shootout for the win.

James Melindy and Marek Hrivik were credited with the Moncton goals, while Steve Gleeson made 37 saves in a losing cause.

It was the 11th straight win for Saint John, which improved to 46-5-1-2 atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League standings, while Moncton sits at 27-20-2-5.

The sold-out crowd of 6,488 at Harbour Station gave the Sea Dogs three points in the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup, to go with two for the shootout win for a total of five. Moncton picked up a point for the shootout loss to bring the standings to 27-10 as Saint John clinched the Cup for the first time in its three-year history.

Melindy opened the scoring at 12:05 of the physical first period. His knuckler from the right point found its way through traffic for his third of the year, giving Moncton a 1-0 lead.

DeSerres kept the lead at one goal with a huge right pad save on Hrivik with just 40 seconds to go in the frame, and Sea Dogs defenseman Eric Gelinas ended the period with a big hit on Wildcats captain Simon Jodoin.

Gleeson made a great save of his own with five minutes to go in the second period, diving to his left to deny Phillips after Nathan Beaulieu started a rush and passing play with Huberdeau.

A Beaulieu hit was called for a cross-check later on the shift, much to the dismay of the Saint John crowd. Hrivik capitalized with his 24th of the year on the ensuing power play to make it 2-0 at 15:39 of the second.

The Sea Dogs started the comeback early in the third period. Gelinas unleashed a point shot that struck Wildcats defenseman Lance Pridham in the helmet, shattering his visor. The puck bounced to Jurco, who tapped it in for his 26th of the year just after a power play expired.

Galiev brought the Sea Dogs back even at 4:21, snapping one shot off Jodoin's feet, then following through on another rocket that beat Gleeson high to the glove side.

The Wildcats called a timeout at that point, and were able to settle down and get the game to overtime. With six seconds remaining in the third, the Wildcats were given a power play, as Huberdeau was called for goaltender interference, once again raising the ire of the Saint John crowd. But the Dogs weathered the storm, setting up the dramatic shootout finish.

After Gleeson and DeSerres exchanged saves, Saint John shootout specialist Tomas Jurco stepped to centre ice, and delivered yet another jaw-dropping move. Jurco shifted both skates in a partial turn, then quickly cut back to his forehand, going upstairs on Gleeson. DeSerres then stopped Alex Saulnier to set up Huberdeau's clincher.

The Dogs are back in action on Friday, Feb. 18, Hockey Day in Saint John. Fans are encouraged to wear their favourite hockey jersey to the 7:30 p.m. game against the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

On Saturday, Feb. 19 the Sea Dogs will be paying tribute to the Saint John Flames, as they take on the Shawinigan Cataractes at 7 p.m. Special throwback jerseys will be worn by the players and auctioned off, and former Flames Marty Murray and Doug Doull will be in attendance, along with the Calder Cup and other memorabilia.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Saint
• John
• Sea
• Dogs
• Moncton
• Wildcats
• Tomas
• Jurco
• Stanislav
• Galiev
• Jonathan
• Huberdeau
• Eric
• Gelinas
• Jacob
• DeSerres
• James
• Melindy
• Marek
• Hrivik
• Steve
• Gleeson
• Simon
• Jodoin
• Nathan
• Beaulieu
• Lance
• Pridham
• Alex
• Saulnier

[ThePENNY1999]

nice game to!!!

[ThePENNY1999]

nice save!!

[hockeyrules12333333]

2:23 looks like that hurt

[IMkingOFcod]

One Cup Down(Rivalry)

Two Cups to go(Prez, Mem)

Go Dogs Go!!!