Sea Dogs sweep Rocket in playoffs

Charlottetown - The P.E.I. Rocket season came to a close Wednesday night.

The Saint John Sea Dogs defeated the Rocket 6-3 to sweep the best-of-seven Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff series in four straight games.

Before 2,669 fans at the Charlottetown Civic Centre, the Sea Dogs jumped out to period leads of 3-1 and 5-2.

Christopher DiDomenico, Alex Grant and Ryan Sparling all had one goal and two assists to lead the Sea Dogs. Francois Gauthier, Mike Thomas and Scott Howes contributed single goals.

Mathieu Tousignant (1-1), Philippe Garnier and Geoff Walker replied for the Rocket. Jan Kana (2), Danick Malouin, Bryan Main and Matthew Lachaine added assists.

Overall, the shots-on-goal totals were even at 37. Saint John held 15-9 and 14-9 advantages in the first two periods, and the Rocket outshot the Sea Dogs 19-8 in the final 20 minutes.

Travis Fullerton earned the goaltending win and Antoine Lafleur suffered the loss.

The Sea Dogs were 3-for-6 on the power play and the Rocket had a 2-for-6 summary with the man advantage.

The Sea Dogs sscored six goals or more in each of their four wins.

Elsewhere in QMJHL playoff action, it was: St. John's 6 Acadie-Bathurst 1; Cape Breton 4 Lewiston 1; Gatineau 6 Shawinigan 2; Quebec 5 Chicoutimi 1; Victoriaville 3 Halifax 1; and Rouyn-Noranda 5 Val'd-Or 4 (OT).