QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Taking every opportunity in game two of their semifinal series against Chicoutimi, Saint John’s made sure they would go to Sagueneens leading the series 2-0. Two goals by Russian right winger Stanislav Galiev lead the Sea Dogs to 5-2 win over the Sagueneens.
Playing with more aggressiveness Saint John put lots of pressure on Chicoutimi defensive taking a 2-0 lead inside first 5:00 of the opening period.
Seeing Chicoutimi netminder Christopher Gibson making key saves on Sea Dogs two-on-one breakaway with Charles Coyle and Zach Phillips, who tried to beat Gibson between the pads in first 2:00 minutes of the game.
But Gibson wasn’t able to do anything 33 seconds later on Aiden Kelley who deflected a shot from the point by Charles-Olivier Roussel 2:33 into the first period. Ending 1-in- 3 in first game with a man advantage, Saint John pulled the trigger on their first opportunity on penalty to Chicoutimi Christian Ouellet.
Seeing Gibson making save on Galiev following the two-on-one, the Sea Dogs Russian forward didn’t missed his second chance pushing the puck in an empty net from the slot at 4:46.
If Saint John dominated first half of first period, Chicoutimi came back stronger in second half after Sagueneens head coach Marc-Etienne Hubert took his time out ending 11- 11 in shots on goal department.
After Chicoutimi played stronger in second half of first period, Saint John came back taking a 3-0 lead scoring their third goal 41 seconds into the middle frame.
Turnover proved to be costly for Chicoutimi. Losing the puck to Jonathan Huberdeau, Chicoutimi right winger Yan Pinette was unable to do anything on Brad Tesink goal 41 seconds into the second frame.
Author of Saint John’s third goal, Tesink had been victim of another turnover leading to Chicoutimi first goal in the game. Stealing the puck from Tesink, Sagueneens right winger Guillaume Asselin found Mathieu Gagnon scoring his 2nd of the playoff at 9:33.
Saint John’s regained their three goal lead playing in a shorthanded situation. Stealing the puck from Gabriel Bouret, Charles Coyle made perfect pass to Huberdeau beating Gibson between his pads on a breakaway with a backhanded shot at 14:29.
Christian Ouellet re-lighted Chicoutimi hope in game two scoring Sagueneens second goal during a penalty to Saint John defenseman Charles-Olivier Roussel 5:31 into third period.
Thinking they had scored a third goal, Chicoutimi saw referee disallowed the goal saying the puck been hit higher than shoulder.
A penalty to Saint John defenseman Roussel with 7:15 remaining to the third period revived Sagueneens hope to reduced Sea Dogs lead, but unfortunately they weren’t able to take advantage of it.
Galiev second goal of the game sealed the Chicoutimi’s fate at 15:16 of third periods when the slap shot by Sea Dogs right winger gave no chance to Chicoutimi netminder. Asked to explain why his team didn’t seem to have the anticipated start against Saint John, Chicoutimi head coach Hubert answered on the air of FM 98 the flagship radio station of Chicoutimi, “An incident in the warm up involving Jean-Gabriel Pageau, (who wasn’t sure to take part to the game following that incident) affected our team until we took our time out. We came back playing better but the goal they ( Saint John) when we were in power play effected us.”
“Corbeil kept his team in the game but we didn’t play bad game we have had our chances, but playing the way we did in first half of first period didn’t help us. Playing against one of the best team in junior wasn’t easy but we have to find a way to put the puck behind their netminder.”
“We will go back home taking a look at first two games but we definitely need to play with more inspirations.” Chicoutimi head coach Hubert said after the game.
Game three in both series Halifax vs. Rimouski and Saint vs. Chicoutimi will be play on Next Tuesday.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.