RECAP: Sea Dogs fall to CHL’s top squad
SAINT JOHN – In their first game at TD Station in nearly two weeks, the Saint John Sea Dogs faced the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, the top-ranked team in Canada, on Friday night. Despite promising moments and keeping the game close, the Sea Dogs were unable to secure the victory, ultimately losing 5-2 after an empty net goal.
The first period began with an immediate jolt as Drakkar forward Julien Paillé buried one just 13 seconds in. The Sea Dogs fought back, earning a powerplay at 3:16. Benjamin Amyot narrowly missed tying the game, ringing one off the crossbar and out of play, while on the powerplay. Justin Gill extended Drakkar’s lead at 5:45, but Coen Miller, with a perfectly placed pass from Tyler Peddle, quickly responded, making evident the resilience of the Sea Dogs. Nate Tivey provided a selfless blocked shot keeping the Sea Dogs within one to end the first.
The second period began with opportunity as the Sea Dogs initially held a 4-on-3 advantage, quickly escalating to a 5-on-3. Peddle capitalized on this at 1:22, with his tenth of the year, tying the score at two apiece with a one-timer, assisted by Joseph Ianniello and Pavel Simek. However, Drakkar regained the lead with Justin Poirier’s goal at 9:54, despite Leaver’s netminding preventing further damage. The second period concluded with the Sea Dogs down 3-2, while trailing in shots 26-13.
Poirier notched his second of the night at 4:17 into the third period, and Isaac Dufort sealed the deal with an empty-net goal at 18:38. Even though the Sea Dogs showed promise, the game concluded 5-2 in favour of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar who also led in shots 39-20.
The Sea Dogs now pack up for tomorrow night’s game in Halifax, where they’ll challenge the Mooseheads, starting off another road trip. Their next home game is March 14th against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Tickets for upcoming home games are available at the TD Station box office, by calling (506) 657-1234 or online at tickets.tdstation.com.
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