(Saint-Jean) The Saint-Jean Sea Dogs have been chomping at the bit for more than a month, but their efforts in training day after day have not been in vain.
Posted at 8:57 p.m.
Ryan Francis broke the tie late in the first period by scoring the first of his two goals as the New Brunswick club defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs 5-3 Monday at TD Station to open the Memorial Cup.
The Sea Dogs were back in action after a 38-day hiatus following a surprise first-round elimination to the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. They had yet won their last 15 games on the regular schedule, and 26 of their last 28 meetings before the playoffs.
The playoff slump led to the dismissal of head coach Gordie Dwyer. Gardiner MacDougall, who headed the hockey program at the University of New Brunswick, stepped in with former tough guy Rocky Thompson.
The electric shock seems to have worked, while the Sea Dogs, who wore a uniform in tribute to veterans of the Canadian forces, played with conviction.
“Of course we had doubts, but we were also confident,” said forward William Dufour, who scored for the Sea Dogs.
“We practiced five or six times a week on and off the ice, but it was worth it. It was hard, mentally too. But it was nice to come back tonight. We were in good shape and it paid off. »
Along with his two goals, Francis also had an assist, while linemates Philippe Daoust and Raivis Kristians Ansons each had three assists.
Yan Kuznetsov and Peter Reynolds, in an empty net, also hit the target for the tournament host team. Nikolas Hurtubise made 17 saves.
Hurtubise made his best save of the game with just over five minutes left in the second period and the Sea Dogs lead was 3-1. He made a good lateral move to his right to frustrate Avery Hayes on a two-man Bulldogs attack on the keeper.
“It was a big stop for us, acknowledged Hurtubise. Sometimes that’s what you need to pick up the pace in a match.
“It’s my job to make saves like that and I’m glad I did. »
Francis scored a few minutes later, giving the Sea Dogs a cushion that lasted until the end of the game despite the Ontario champions’ attempt to come back.
“It starts with our goaltender, then our defensemen who were brilliant against a great offense,” MacDougall said. Our forwards played well in all phases of the game and set up a good forecheck.
“Saint-Jean is a city of workers and we had a bit of that in our game tonight. »
The Bulldogs swept the first three rounds of the OHL playoffs before needing seven games to defeat the Windsor Spitfires in the final.
Their stars were held in check for long periods against the Sea Dogs. Then their attempt to come back came up short.
“We looked tired. We weren’t mentally alert going into the game,” Bulldogs head coach Jay McKee said.
“The Sea Dogs didn’t see the best version of the Bulldogs tonight,” he added.
Ryan Winterton had two goals and an assist and Hayes had a goal and an assist. Logan Morrison had three assists and Marco Costantini stopped 30 shots.
The Shawinigan Cataractes, champions of the QMJHL, and the Edmonton Oil Kings, champions of the WHL, will begin their course on Tuesday.