Saint John wins Game 2 by shutout

QUEBEC CITY, P.Q. —Being perfect for third time in 2017 playoff making 27 saves the former Quebec Remparts goaltender Callum Booth registered his third shutout being the center piece of 4-0 win to help his team take a 2-0 lead in QMJHL President Cup Final. If Booth closed the door on Blainville-Boisbriand team, Saint John right winger Julien Gauthier also played major role ending his night with another three point’s night (2g-1a) in Saint John 4-0 win.

Dominating 5-1 in first five minutes of the first period Saint John 13-10 after first twenty minutes the Sea Dogs fans had to wait until last minute of the initial period before seeing their favorite scoring twice in span of 17 seconds.

Like in the first game turnover proved to be costly, as first turnover came with 36.3 seconds as Saint John right winger Julien Gauthier wrist shot beat Blainville-Boisbriand goaltender Samuel Montembeault over right shoulder at 19:23.

17 seconds later, another breakaway from offensive blue line led to Sea Dogs second goals in the period. Saint John right winger Mathieu Joseph went on breakaway beating Armada netminder top corner on Montembeault left side at 19:40.

After scoreless second period, Saint John took advantage of a power play chances following a penalty to Armada veteran defenseman Antoine Crete-Belzile to add to their leads. Spencer Smalman one-timer left no chance to the Florida Panthers third round selection (77th overall) in 2015. Smalman, the Carolina Hurricanes fifth round selections (138th overall) in 2015 scored his 9th of the playoff at 3:53. Mathieu Joseph and Julien Gauthier got the helpers.

Registering two goals in the first game on Friday night, ending with three points, already having 1 goal 1 assist in game two, Julien Gauthier scored second times in game two, his fourth goals in first two games for his 11th of the entire 2017 playoff, scoring Saint John fourth and last goals in game two leading his team to 4-0 wins.

In the loss Armada netminder Montembeault made 33 saves out of Sea Dogs 37 shots, the Florida Panthers prospect made several key saves during a five-on-three power play at the end of second periods preventing the home team to add to their lead.

Saint John Julien Gauthier, Callum Booth and Mathieu Joseph respectively earns first three stars in the game. Saint John led 37-27 in shots on goal. The Sea Dogs were 1-in-6 with a man advantage, Blainville-Boisbriand 0-in-4.

Game three of the QMJHL President Cup Final will be next Tuesday in Blainville-Boisbriand.

Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com