March 14, 2012

HALIFAX – The Saint John Sea Dogs became the first team in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League history to win three straight regular-season championships, clinching the Jean Rougeau Trophy with a 6-1 win over the Halifax Mooseheads Wednesday.

Ryan Tesink scored twice, with Jonathan Huberdeau and Danick Gauthier adding a goal and an assist each. Charlie Coyle chipped in a goal and an assist, Grant West added a single and Mathieu Corbeil made 17 saves for the win. The Sea Dogs improved to 48-15-0-3 for 99 points, ensuring at least a tie for first overall. The Sea Dogs, however, hold the tie-breaker over the second-place Shawinigan Cataractes, with two games remaining for each team.

Alexandre Grenier scored for the Mooseheads as Halifax fell to 38-22-2-4. Zachary Fucale stopped 33 of 38 shots in the start before giving way to Marc-Olivier Daigle, who turned away five of six in relief.

Click HERE to view a complete scoresheet from Wednesday’s game.

Gauthier put home Stanislav Galiev’s rebound to open the scoring at 5:44 of the opening frame. Huberdeau picked up the other assist as Gauthier moved within one of Mike Hoffman’s team record with his 45th goal.

Tesink made it 2-0 with an unassisted short-handed goal 4:32 into the second period, racing in on a breakaway and converting after a Halifax giveaway. The St. Louis Blues prospect added another at 17:52, potting his 12th with an assist from Nathan Beaulieu, who rushed the puck into the zone.

Grenier scored at 2:52 of the third to get the Mooseheads back within two. But Huberdeau notched his 30th just 1:18 later, burying a backhand to finish a dominant shift with Coyle and Gauthier. Coyle picked up one assist, with the other going to Pierre Durepos.

Coyle added a goal of his own at 7:53, finishing a pass from Huberdeau to make it 5-1. Gauthier collected the other assist on the goal, Coyle’s 13th, which brought Fucale’s night to an end.

West, who dropped the gloves with Trey Lewis in the second period, rounded out the summary with his sixth of the season at 16:03, also assisted by Gauthier. West participated in another scrap just 43 seconds later, this time with Brendan Duke.

The Sea Dogs wrap up the regular season in Cape Breton with games against the Screaming Eagles on Friday and Saturday, both 7 p.m. starts. Tim Roszell will have the call on News 88.9 FM and fans can also catch all the action online via the official TELUS QMJHL webcast (click HERE to order; charges apply).

Saint John’s next home game will be the President’s Cup playoff opener on March 23. The game will be televised nationally by Sportsnet and TVA Sports and the team is hoping to have another packed house to showcase Harbour Station across Canada.

For a limited time, Game 1 tickets will be available for just $10. Tickets are available now at the Harbour Station box office, by calling 506-657-1234 or online at www.tickets.harbourstation.ca.