RIMOUSKI | The Saint John Sea Dogs regained control of the series against the Océanic with a 5-2 win Monday night in Rimouski in the 3rd game of the series now dominated 2-1 by the New Brunswick team who will try finish in the 4th game to be played Tuesday in Rimouski.
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The Océanic’s inability to take advantage of its numerical superiority was the highlight of the game, especially since in addition to not scoring, Serge Beausoleil’s men allowed two goals while on the power play.
Photo Alexandre D’Astous
Océanic goaltender Gabriel Robert did well to keep his team in the game.
Philippe Daoust led the winners’ attack with two goals. The others being the work of Ben MacDonald, Raivis Kristians Anson and William Dufour. The line came from Luka Verreault and Alex Drover.
The Océanic opened the scoring
The Océanic opened the scoring in the 3rd minute of play when Luka Verreault grabbed a loose puck at the mouth of Thomas Couture’s net. Ludovic Soucy and Louis Robin are accomplices. The locals threatened on the power play, without managing to double their lead. On the contrary, the Sea Dogs came to two against goaltender Gabriel Robert. Philippe Daoust beat the Cerberus with a cannonball. Five minutes later, the visitors took the lead through Ben MacDonald.
Photo Alexandre D’Astous
Hard-fought face-off between Alexander Gaudio and Raivis Kristians Anson.
Sea Dogs dominance in second
The Sea Dogs dominated the second period from start to finish but failed to score for the first 17 minutes. The Océanic conceded a second goal during a massive attack. Riley Bezeau mocked defender Charles Côté while Daoust pushed the return into the net for his 2nd of the game. William Dumoulin was the most threatening in the Océanic camp during this period.
Drover gives hope to the locals
Alex Drover woke up the crowd at Sun Life Financial Coliseum by pulling the lead to one in the 7th minute of the third period. He pushed Alexander Gaudio’s throw return past the Sea Dogs goaltender. The reply did not take long. It came from the baton of the excellent William Dufour. In the middle of the period, Raivis Kristians Anson took the disc from the nonchalant Gabriel Robert behind his net to make it 5-2.
Photo Alexandre D’Astous
Sea Dogs goaltender Thomas Couture made the save on that streak in the first period.
In short
The Océanic was without three forwards and a defender. Xavier Cormier, Julien Béland and Luke Coughlin are injured. Affiliate player Alexandre Blais has been added to the roster. Defender Charles Côté returned to the game while Alexandre Lefebvre served the first of two games of suspension. Game 4 will be played Tuesday night in Rimouski.