RECAP: Morin shines, but Wildcats steal the win
SAINT JOHN – Zach Morin put on an impressive performance with two goals, but it wasn’t enough for the Saint John Sea Dogs to secure the win on Sunday afternoon against the Moncton Wildcats.
It was a battle of the goaltenders, with Saint John leading for a good portion of the game, but the Wildcats ultimately clawed back to take the game 3-2.
Moncton goal scorers were Juraj Pekarcik, Markus Vidicek, and Gabe Smith.
GAME SUMMARY
The Wildcats opened the scoring at the 10:03 mark of the first period when Loke Johansson set up Juraj Pekarcik, who tucked the puck between Justin Robinson’s pads as he slid across the crease. The Sea Dogs responded just two minutes later after a Wildcats defender broke his stick at the Sea Dogs blue line. Zach Morin seized the opportunity, collecting the puck and breaking in alone, before sliding it between the legs of Rudy Guimond to tie the game 1-1.
With two minutes remaining in the first period, Morin capitalized on a loose puck in the slot, making no mistake and sending the Sea Dogs into the intermission with a 2-1 lead.
Both teams were held scoreless in the second period, with the Sea Dogs outshooting the Wildcats 16-11, leveling the shot total at 27-27 heading into the third.
Moncton tied the game 2-2 at 11:29 of the third period when Caleb Desnoyers found Markus Vidicek, who fired a low shot along the ice past Robinson. With exactly three minutes left in regulation, Yoan Loshing, while falling, made a swift pass to Gabe Smith, who redirected the puck top shelf to give the Wildcats a 3-2 lead, sealing the win.
STATISTICS
SOG: SNB – 39 | MON – 39
PP: SNB – 0/2 | MON – 0/1
Faceoffs: SNB – 33 | MON – 40
GOALTENDING BATTLE
Saint John: Justin Robinson (36 saves / 39 shots)
Moncton: Rudy Guimond (37 saves / 39 shots)
3 STARS
1st: SNB – Zach Morin – 2G
2nd: SNB – Justin Robinson – 36 saves
3rd: MON – Caleb Desnoyers – 2A
UP NEXT
The Sea Dogs are back in action Friday night at TD Station as the Cape Breton Eagles come to town for the Toque & Mitten Toss game at 7:00 pm.
For the latest Sea Dogs news, visit SJSeaDogs.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/sjseadogs), Twitter (@SJSeaDogs), and Instagram (@SJSeaDogs).
