DESERRES BACKSTOPS SEA DOGS TO 2-0 HOME WIN OVER HUSKIES
Overage goaltender Jacob DeSerres kicked off his tenure with the Saint John Sea Dogs with a bang on Saturday night, earning a shutout win in his first start for the Port City's major junior squad. DeSerres stopped all 20 shots sent his way by the visiting Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in front of 4,334 fans at Harbour Station to pick up an impressive win in his QMJHL debut.
Saint John's offence came courtesy of NHL prospects Steven Anthony and Stanislav Galiev on Saturday, with Rouyn-Noranda net minder Mickael Audette (36 saves) suffering the loss between the pipes for the visitors. The Sea Dogs improve to 9-2-0-1 with their hard-fought home win over the Huskies, an impressive mark which includes a perfect 7-0-0-0 record on home ice.
Despite outshooting Rouyn-Noranda 26-12 over the course of the opening two periods of play on Saturday, Saint John was unable to get the puck past Audette as the game remained scoreless as the forty minute mark was reached. Jonathan Huberdeau had the best scoring chance of the opening forty, but the sophomore sniper was denied on a second period breakaway attempt on a sensational kick save from the Huskies' goalie.
Jacob DeSerres made his biggest stop of the game 2:17 into the third period, stoning a crease-hovering Robbie DeFulviis with a sliding pad save after the rookie winger was set up perfectly for a point-blank one-timer. Vancouver Canucks prospect Steven Anthony then put the hosts up 1-0 on a sensational individual effort 8:53 into regulation's final frame. The veteran forward deked around a Rouyn-Noranda defender prior to beating Audette on a nifty backhand shot that improved his 2010-11 goals total to five.
Washington Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev doubled the Sea Dogs' lead a moment later, banging home a loose puck to bring about an abrupt end to a lengthy scramble in Rouyn-Noranda territory. Steven Anthony and Michael Kirkpatrick both picked up assists on the play, which proved to be the final quantitative offence either team would produce on the evening.
