Saturday, February 11, 2012

GAMEDAY 54: at PEI

GAMEDAY
Saint John Sea Dogs vs PEI Rocket
Today at 4pm
Radio: News 88.9 | Webcast: Telus | TV: None | Live Blog: SN
Charlottetown Civic Centre


PREVIEW
CHARLOTTETOWN – The entire country will have their eyes on Prince Edward Island today as the province plays host to CBC’s annual Hockey Day in Canada. The Saint John Sea Dogs just so happen to be in Charlottetown for a contest against the PEI Rocket this afternoon, meaning parts of their game will be shown during the Hockey Day telecast.

Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant will also be part of the broadcast later that evening in Summerside, according to yesterday’s Telegraph-Journal.

As for the game, the Sea Dogs enter play today with a record of 38-13-0-2 for 78 points and sit first overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 37-14-0-2 for 76 points and sit in a tie with the Shawinigan Cataractes for first overall in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Saint John has won seven straight and eight of their last 10.

The Sea Dogs are 16-9-0-1 on the road this year and have outscored their opponents 94-82.

The Rocket enter action today with a record of 17-32-2-2 for 38 points. They are currently 16th in the league – which is the final playoff spot – but are tied with the last-place Rouyn-Noranda Huskies with 38 points. If the playoffs started today, PEI would be playing Saint John.

PEI has been playing some decent hockey of late, going 5-5 in their last 10. At home this season, they are 11-13-2-1 and have been outscored 104-95.

THE NUMBERS

Saint JohnPEI
Record37-14-0-2 (1st Maritimes)17-32-2-2 (1st Maritimes
Home Record- - -11-13-2-1
Road Record16-9-0-1- - -
Streak7-0-0-00-1-0-0
Last 108-2-0-05-5-0-0
Goals For213169
Goals Against149137
Overall PP21.6% (9th)21.0% (11th)
Home PP- - -26.1% (5th)
Road PP20.3% (10th)- - -
Overall PK78.1% (6th)72.9% (16th)
Home PK- - -75.2% (14th)
Road PK72.8% (14th)- - -
PIM/GAME15.9 (9th)17.5 (2nd)

LAST GAMES
The Sea Dogs are coming off a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Cataractes in Shawinigan last Saturday. Charles Roussel and Jonathan Huberdeau scored for Saint John in the victory. Mathieu Corbeil was solid in net, making 37 saves for the win.

The Rocket are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan last night at the KC Irving Regional Centre. Victor Provencher and Alex Noel each scored for the Rocket in the loss. Antoine Bibeau allowed three goals on 23 shots through 40 minutes while Maxime Lagace allowed one goal on 10 shots in relief.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Saint John is 4-0-0-1 against the Rocket this season while PEI is 1-4-0-0 against Saint John.

Their last meeting came on December 30 at Harbour Station when the Rocket defeated the Sea Dogs 4-3 in a shootout. Stephen MacAulay, Charles Roussel and Aidan Kelly scored for Saint John while PEI goals came from Jessyko Bernard, Ben Duffy, and Josh Currie. Saint John native Matthew Bursey scored the shootout winner. Sebastien Auger made 33 saves in the loss while Maxime Lagace made 20 for the win.


LEADING SCORERS
The Sea Dogs are led by Zack Phillips who has 67 points (26G, 41A) in 46 games played this season. Danick Gauthier leads the team in goals with 37 while Phillips has a team high 41 assists.

Ben Duffy leads the Rocket in scoring with 73 points (31G, 42A) in 53 games this year. Duffy leads the squad in goals with 31 and assists with 42.

PROBABLE GOALTENDERS
Mathieu Corbeil (28-10-0-0, 2.42 GAA, 0.910 SV%) or Sebastien Auger (9-2-0-2, 3.07 GAA, 0.885 SV%) for Saint John and Maxime Lagace (11-27-2-1, 4.30 GAA, 0.877 SV%) for PEI.

GALIEV
It certainly sounds like Stanislav Galiev could return to action today. He tweeted this yesterday.

It's been tough 4 month for me, watching games from stands! And now I'm back. First game tomorrow since 1st October. #Dogs #RoadToShawi

Galiev has not played since October because of a broken wrist.

NOTES
  • The Rocket are averaging 1,583 fans per game at the CCC this season, the second lowest average in the league.
  • Danick Gauthier is second in the league in goals with 37. Ben Duffy is seventh with 31.
  • Duffy is ninth in assists with 42. Phillips is 11th with 41.
  • Josh Currie leads the league in shorthanded goals with four.
  • Gauthier is third in game-winning goals with seven.
  • Tomas Jurco is third in insurance goals with four.
  • Ian Saab is second in penalty minutes with 141. Jimmy Oligny is fifth with 121.
  • Phillips is a league best +38.
  • Matej Beran is third in rookie scoring with 56 points.
  • Jonathan Huberdeau leads the league in shorthanded assists with four.
  • The Sea Dogs and Rocket meet again this Wednesday in Charlottetown.

OTHER GAMES
Blainville-Boisbriand at Rimouski - 4:00 PM EST
Halifax at Shawinigan - 4:00 PM EST
Gatineau at Drummondville - 7:00 PM EST
Cape Breton at Val-d'Or - 7:00 PM EST

NEXT GAME
The Sea Dogs host the Acadie-Bathurst Titan tomorrow afternoon at 3pm at Harbour Station.

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