RECAP: Goose Egg. Dogs Win 3-0.

FINAL: Drummondville 0, Saint John 3

SAINT JOHN – Sebastien Auger stopped all 28 shots he faced on Saturday night to pick up his first Quebec Major Junior Hockey League shutout.

Auger backstopped the Saint John Sea Dogs to a 3-0 victory over the Drummondville Voltigeurs at Harbour Station. The backup ‘tender put in a strong performance in goal, making several big stops throughout the contest.

Auger had to be good, too, because this was not a blowout by any means. Saint John’s offence just couldn’t kick it into high gear, firing just 22 shots on goal compared to Drummondville’s 28. It’s the second straight game the Sea Dogs’ offence, featuring three first-rounders on their top line, looked off.

Zack Phillips, Charlie Coyle, and Pierre Durepos were the only ones who could find the back of the net for Saint John. Danick Gauthier was the only Sea Dog with multiple points, recording two assists.

Drummondville goaltender Domenic Graham allowed three goals on 22 shots. He had a rough first period as both goals he allowed were banked off him. His worst goal against came when Coyle, parked behind the goal, was able to sneak the puck off his leg and in.

Saint John improved to 32-13-0-2 but still sit two points back of the Shawinigan Cataractes for top spot in the league.

Drummondville went to the power play 6:01 of the first period. They hit a post during the time span and that would be their best chance.

Saint John made it 1-0 at 10:54. Phillip came out from behind the net and banked the puck off Graham and in to give the Dogs an early lead.

They doubled their score at 11:34 on another bank shot. Coyle was along the backboards directly behind the cage. He swung the puck in front and snuck it off the leg of Graham and in to give the Dogs a 2-0 lead.

Both teams exchanged power play opportunities in the second half of the period but could not connect.

Shots were 9-7 Saint John in the opening frame.

Early on in the second frame, Huberdeau threaded a perfect pass to Coyle who had a wide open net. Graham dove across the paint to make a great stop and rob the Sea Dog of his second marker of the contest. Later on, Danick Gauthier cut in front but sent a backhanded high and wide.

After Saint John failed to convert on a power play, Auger made some solid stops. One of his best saves came when he stretched out to make a pad save.

Saint John made it 3-0 at 14:20. A low point shots got through a crowd and past Graham to give the Dogs a three-goal advantage.

Drummondville went back to the power play at 14:46 but couldn’t get much going.

Shots were 14-7 in favour of the Voltugeurs in the middle frame.

Not a whole lot happened in the third period. Shots were just 7-6 in favour of the Volts. The San Francisco 49ers went into beast mode. Jason Cameron made a big open ice hit.

Drummondville went 0-for-3 on the power play while Saint John went 0-for-2.

NOTES: See Sea Dogs Postscript tomorrow on SN.

NEXT GAME: The Sea Dogs battle the Halifax Mooseheads next Saturday at Harbour Station.

Photo Credits: Marc Henwood/Station Nation