Friday, August 19, 2011

Wildcats Edge Sea Dogs

FINAL: Sea Dogs 2, Wildcats 3

MONCTON – The Moncton Wildcats took plenty of penalties on Friday night at the Red Ball Internet Centre but a rookie filled Saint John Sea Dogs team was only able to capitalize on one of their eight opportunities.

Ludlow Jr. Harris, Lindon Beckwith and Mark Tremaine all scored in the Wildcats’ 3-2 victory over the Sea Dogs on the opening night of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s pre-season schedule.

Recent import pick Roman Will was solid in net for Moncton, stopping all 15 shots that came his way in 30 minutes and eight seconds of action. He gave way to Jack Flinn who would allow two goals on 12 shots in the second half of the contest.

Saint John struggled to create offense in what was – at times – a bit of a snooze fest. The Dogs were down 2-0 entering the third period but Ben MacDonald and Brock Morrison were able to tie the match.

Richard Tingley allowed two goals on 18 shots. His replacement, Alex Fournier, would let in the game-winner, the only goal he allowed on the eight shots he faced.

The Wildcats opened the scoring just 35 seconds in as Sebastian Dyke setup Harris beautifully to give the home side a 1-0 edge.

In the second, a turnover caused Tingley to scramble back into his crease, allowing Beckwith to get one past the netminder to make it 2-0. Harris and Kraig Pasher dropped the gloves at 15:03 of the middle frame in a short but spirited bout.

At 5:45 of the third on a two-man advantage, MacDonald got Saint John on the board as his point shot sailed through traffic and in. Then at 9:42, Oliver Cooper made some space for himself and threaded the puck to an open Morrison to tie the match.

On the ensuing faceoff, Will Johnston’s little brother, Ross, dropped the gloves with Ryan Collicutt. It was a long one with a lot of punches thrown but not a whole lot of contact made. Collicutt would be ejected from the game where he would then have PG-13 conversation with a few fans watching from the concourse above.

The Wildcats put it away at 11:32 as Tremaine snipped a low shot past the leg of Fournier to give the ‘Cats a 3-2 victory.

The Sea Dogs went 1-for-8 on the man advantage while the Wildcats went 0-for-4.

Saint John outshot Moncton 27-26.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs and Wildcats close out a pre-season home-and-home series tomorrow at 7pm at Harbour Station.

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