Sisla nets winner as Sea Dogs edge Wildcats
SAINT JOHN – Juraj Siska’s goal with under eight minutes remaining in the second period stood up as the game-winner as the Saint John Sea Dogs defeated the Moncton Wildcats, 3-1, in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Sunday at Harbour Station.
Adam Marsh and Thomas Chabot also scored for Saint John (28-18-1-6) while Sebastien Auger made 30 stops in the victory. The Sea Dogs have won two games in a row.
Jacob Sweeney had the lone goal for Moncton (34-16-0-3).
A complete scoring summary is available HERE.
The Wildcats opened the scoring with a power play goal almost eleven minutes into the first period.
The QMJHL’s leading scorer, Conor Garland, took a pass behind the goal line to the right wing side of the net, and then found Sweeney, streaking into the slot. The defenceman snapped a quick shot through the legs of Auger.
Moncton nearly made it 2-0 a couple of minutes later when Garland sent a backdoor pass from the right side to Cameron Askew left of the crease, but Auger came across to deny the American forward with a pad save.
A minute after that, Matthew Highmore led a Sea Dogs’ 2-on-1 on the right side. The centre threw a pass across the ice to Spencer Smallman, who ripped a one-time snap shot off the stick of Moncton goalie Alex Dubeau and the outside of the goal.
Saint John tied the game with 18.2 seconds remaining in the first period, on a set faceoff play.
Sea Dogs’ leading scorer, Nathan Noel, won the draw to Marsh, who was parked over the centre’s right shoulder. Marsh rifled a wrist shot past Dubeau for his team-leading 21st goal of the season.
The game was tied 1-1 after one period.
Saint John looked to take the lead early in the second period.
Noel moved in on the right wing and found Daniel Del Paggio alone in front of the net. The 18-year-old attempted a backhand shot that narrowly missed the left post.
Moncton was also denied its second goal just past the halfway mark.
During a power play chance, blueliner Dominic Talbot-Tassi carried the puck into the left circle and ripped a wrist shot into Auger’s chest.
Siska’s eventual game-winner came with fewer than eight minutes remaining in the middle frame.
Defenceman Luke Green carried the puck on the right side of the Moncton zone. His pass got into Del Paggio’s skates. The forward was able the kick the puck to his right, where Siska zipped a quick shot past Dubeau to give the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead.
With just over nine minutes left in the third period, talented Russian Ivan Barbashev was sprung for a breakaway. Saint John’s Adam Bateman raced back to help deny a scoring chance, but he was ruled to have hooked the Moncton forward, resulting in a penalty shot.
Barbashev, the St. Louis Blues’ prospect, tried to fire a shot between Auger’s leg, but the goaltender made the save with his right pad.
Still trailing 2-1, the Wildcats pulled Dubeau with under ninety seconds left in the third period.
Chabot iced the victory for Saint John with an empty-net goal – a high, looping clearing play from his own zone that bounced down in the neutral zone and rolled into the vacated cage.
Del Paggio earned first-star honours with an assist while Auger took second star for his 30-save performance. Dubeau was named third star with 32 saves in front of 3,961 fans in attendance.
The Sea Dogs’ next game is Friday, February 13th, at 7:30 p.m. against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at KC Irving Regional Centre. Listen LIVE on 96.1 NewSong FM or newsongfm.ca. Watch LIVE on QMJHL Live(fee applies).
Saint John’s next home game is Wednesday, February 18th, at 7 p.m. against the Victoriaville Tigres at Harbour Station. Tickets are available at the Harbour Station Box Office, online at harbourstation.ca or by calling 657-1234.
