QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. — Coming out flat in a losing effort in game two in Harbour Station, the Saint John Sea Dogs, played much better in game three in the Robert Guertin Center shutting out Gatineau 5-0. All four lines brought contributions in the victory.
One name was on everyone’s lips after the first period on Monday night: Maxime Clermont. He was the main reason why Saint John scored only once, with one second remaining in the opening period. The Montreal native and New Jersey Devils prospect made 17 saves in a dominating first period performance by Saint John which outshot Gatineau, 18-5.
Clermont, made saves against Sea Dogs forwards Ryan Tesink, Alexandre Beauregard, Danick Gauthier and Jonathan Huberdeau (twice) in the first 12:00. Huberdeau almost scored when his team was shorthanded. A turnover behind Clermont gave the St-Jerone Quebec native, his second scoring opportunity in the period. Philippe Halley made a perfect pass in the slot to the Sea Dogs center, who took a backhanded shot, stopped by Clermont closing the five-hole.
The only goal of the period came from Saint John third line of Stephen MacAulay, Beauregard and Mike Thomas. Just as time expired, MacAulay opened the scoring with one second remaining in the period.
After reviewing the play referees Eric Charron and Marc Muyleart allowed the goal and Saint John returned to their locker room leading 1-0.
Beauregard created a turnover at the Gatineau blueline finding MacAulay who took the shot for Saint John’s first goal.
Phillip-Michael Devos had the best scoring chance for Gatineau.
Saint John added second goal only 1:49 into the second period. Taking a shot from the blueline, Sea Dogs defenseman Pierre Durepot forced Clermont to make a save with his left pad. Unable to control the rebound, Heberdeau grabbed it and only had to put it behind Clermont.
Answering to Olympiques defenseman Nicolas Deslauriers talking about the difference a first win made in the series and what his team learned from mistakes they made in the first game loss, Saint John head coach Gerard Gallant, told the Telegraph-Journal, “It’s pretty easy to play defense when guys are trying to be cute and trying to make one-on-one plays.”
Gallant continued, “You can’t play like that. We talked about driving to the net and putting puck there, but our guys didn’t want to do that until last three minutes.”
While Saint John’s third line brought their contribution offensively by scoring the Sea Dogs second goal, the fourth line scored their third goal. Doing the work along the board, Sea Dogs left winger Scott Oke made great pass to Jason Cameron, who fed Aidam Kelley the author of Saint John third goal, beating Clermont on the short side in a three-way passing play at 9:40 of second stanza.
Saint John continued their domination in shots on goal after two periods leading 30-7.
Danick Gauthier at 12:34 and Mike Thomas at 16:11 in third period, completed the scoring with Saint John’s fourth and fifth goals in a one side victory, by the Sea Dogs over the Olympiques.
Game four will be play this Wednesday same time, same place.
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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