RECAP: Sea Dogs Lose 5-3

FINAL: Charlottetown 5, Saint John 3

By Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs are currently struggling when it comes to clinching the Maritimes Division.

The Sea Dogs blew their third opportunity to clinch on Friday night at Harbour Station, falling 5-3 to the Charlottetown Islanders. The Dogs, who still sit comfortably in first place, have now dropped three straight.

The Sea Dogs came out of the gate flying on Friday with lots of chances - including a power play opportunity. Just after the man advantage expired it was Bokondji Imama coming down the wing and flinging a backhand shot past Mason McDonald to give the Sea Dogs a 1-0 lead at 3:15. Saint John extended their lead to 2-0 when Matthew Highmore jumped on a rebound in front and chipped the puck over McDonald. The Dogs managed to record 19 shots on McDonald in the period.

The Islanders would get on the board with a power play marker 2:43 into the middle frame when Bradley Kennedy beat Marc-Antoine Turcotte. Later in the period, Turcotte made an unbelievable save to keep Saint John up by one. Shortly after the Turcotte save at 11:12, Sam Povorozniouk netted his 37^th goal of the campaign, restoring the Sea Dogs’ two-goal cushion at 3-1. With 4:20 remaining in the period, the Islanders would close the gap once again after a Daniel Sprong shot was stopped but the rebound went right to Kennedy who notched his second of the contest, making it 3-2.

Charlottetown jumped out of the gate quick in the final period with Filip Rydstrom cleaning up a loose puck and sliding it past a downed Turcotte, evening things at 3-3 at 1:56. After back-to-back penalties, the Islanders would take the lead for the first time when Vanier hammered a one time shot past Turcotte to make it 4-3 at 8:35. The Islanders would strike again with the five-on-four advantage as Samuel Blais gave the visitors a 5-3 lead at 9:48. With 1:59 left in the game, a couple of unexpected players drop the gloves with Povorozniouk and Filip Chlapik mixing it up. Saint John’s comeback hopes would fall short thanks to a late penalty.

NOTES

• Scratches for the Sea Dogs were Mathieu Joseph (upper body), Adam Marsh (upper body), Bailey Webster (upper body), and AlexBernier (upper body).
• Mathieu Joseph skated in practice with a no contact jersey and was taking light shots. Adam Marsh did not practice. Both are day-to-day.
• Oliver Felixson has lots of family in town to help celebrate his 18^th birthday, which took place today.
• With a goal and an assist, Matthew Highmore took over the Sea Dogs team scoring lead.
• Solid attendance of 5,054.

TURNING POINT

After Thomas Chabot took a penalty for charging, Nathan Noel was called for tripping which gave the Islanders a lengthy five-on-three power play. Charlottetown took full advantage by scoring two goals. That was the difference in the game as the Sea Dogs could not mount a comeback on this occasion.

SN THREE STARS

Filip Chlapik

Matthew Highmore

Bradley Kennedy

TWEET OF THE GAME

Free pizza…

My boys won craziest fans of the game at the Saint John Sea Dogs hockey game tonight. Prize is 4 free pizzas. Good job scoring food guys ;)

— Erin Funk (@ErinLFunk) March 12, 2016

NEXT GAME

The last home game of the regular season takes place tomorrow night against provincial rivals, the Moncton Wildcats, at 7 p.m. The game is completely sold out.