Gauthier, Danick

QMJHL

(8) Chicoutimi Sagueneens 2 @ (1) Saint John Sea Dogs 5
Semifinals – Saint John leads best of 7 series 2-0

C Danick Gauthier, SNB: 0-1-1, E, 3 SOG, 0 PIM, 2 Hits
Playoff Totals: 10 GP, 8-4-12, +9, 14 PIM
Season Totals: 67 GP, 47-39-86, +46, 67 PIM

Panthers prospect Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and an assist to lead Saint John to their 10th straight playoff win, 5-2 over Chicoutimi. Gauthier tied for the team lead in shots. He has at least one point in seven of his last eight games and eight of 10 overall. Game 3 is Tuesday in Quebec. In the other QMJHL semifinal, Rimouski leads Halifax, 2-0.

OHL

(W1) London Knights 6 @ (W3) Kitchener Rangers 4
Western Conference Finals – London leads best of 7 series 2-0

C Vladislav Namestnikov , LDN: 0-1-1, +1, 2 PIM (check to the head)
Playoff Totals: 12 GP, 3-8-11, +7, 10 PIM
Season Totals: 63 GP, 22-49-71, +15, 50 PIM

London scored four times in the third period to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 win. The Knights’ final goal was scored into an empty net. Namestnikov teamed with former Lightning camper Seth Griffith to score the game-tying goal while shorthanded. The assist extended Namestnikov's point streak to five games. Griffith was named the game’s first star. The teams will drive an hour west to London for Game 3 on Tuesday. In the series opposite this one, Ottawa and potential Lightning draft pick Cody Ceci won Game 2 to tie their sereis with Niagara, 1-1.

QMJHL

(8) Chicoutimi Sagueneens 1 @ (1) Saint John Sea Dogs 4
Semifinals – Saint John leads best of 7 series 1-0

C Danick Gauthier, SNB: 1-0-1, +1, 3 SOG, 4 PIM (goaltender interference, roughing after the whistle), 3 Hits
Playoff Totals: 9 GP, 8-3-11, +9, 14 PIM
Season Totals: 67 GP, 47-39-86, +46, 67 PIM

Gauthier scored his eighth goal in nine playoff games to help the Sea Dogs to a Game 1 win over Chicoutimi in the opener of their QMJHL Semifinal series. Gauthier’s goal came on the power play, and was one of three goals scored in the third period by Saint John. Gauthier also led the team in hits during the game. The Sea Dogs are now 9-0 in the playoffs. Their four goals on Friday night were the fewest they’ve scored in a game in the 2012 playoffs.

QMJHL

(1) Saint John Sea Dogs 5 @ (13) Baie-Comeau Drakkar 3
Quarterfinals – Saint John wins best of 7 series 4-0

C Danick Gauthier, SNB: 0-0-0, +1, 0 PIM, 7 SOG, 4 Hits
Playoff Totals: 8 GP, 7-3-10, +8, 10 PIM
Season Totals: 67 GP, 47-39-86, +46, 67 PIM

While Baie-Comeau could congratulate themselves for being the first team to come within two goals of Saint John in a playoff game, that party will have to be held while they are packing up their locker room as the Sea Dogs completed the sweep of the Drakkar with a 5-3 win Wednesday. Gauthier was held scoreless for the first time in six games, though he tied for the team lead with seven shots on goal. Saint John will await the lowest seed to advance to the semifinals.

OHL

(W1) London Knights 5 @ (W5) Saginaw Spirit 2
Western Conference Semifinals – Best of 7 series tied 2-2

C Vladislav Namestnikov, LDN: 1-0-1, +2, 0 PIM
Playoff Totals: 8 GP, 2-2-4, +2, 4 PIM
Season Totals: 63 GP, 22-49-71, +15, 50 PIM

Vladislav Namestnikov’s second goal of the playoffs, scored in the first period, gave London a 3-0 lead and turned out to be the game winner as the Knights scored four times in the first period, chasing Saginaw goalie Jake Paterson, and added an empty netter late for the 5-2 score to even the series at two games apiece. London takes back home ice advantage in the series, which shifts back to London for Game 5 on Friday night. Namestnikov’s goal was scored when he banged in a rebound off a Seth Griffith shot. He was on the ice for a “plus” when the empty net goal was scored by Gregg McKegg (Leafs). Panthers prospect Vincent Trocheck had two goals for the Spirit.

QMJHL

(1) Saint John Sea Dogs 5 @ (13) Baie-Comeau Drakkar 2
Quarterfinals – Saint John leads best of 7 series 3-0

C Danick Gauthier, SNB: 0-1-1, +1, 4 PIM (hooking, slashing), 4 SOG, 0 Hits
Playoff Totals: 7 GP, 7-3-10, +7, 10 PIM
Season Totals: 67 GP, 47-39-86, +46, 67 PIM

Saint John came into the game averaging just under nine goals per contest, and though the Drakkar were able to hold them to five, the Sea Dogs still came out on top, 5-2. Saint John, the league’s top seed, is now up 3-0 on Baie-Comeau and is now 7-0 in the playoffs. Danick Gauthier had an assist to stretch his point streak to five games. He is sixth on the team in scoring, 12 points behind Minnesota pick Zack Phillips for the team lead.

USHL

Sioux City Musketeers 3 @ Tri-City Storm 2 (OT)

G Adam Wilcox, TC: OT Loss, 31 saves on 34 shots, *First Star*
Season Totals (with Tri-City): 34 GP, 16-17-1-1, 2.91 GAA, .916 sv%, 1 SO
Season Totals (with Green Bay): 9 GP, 7-2-0, 2.27 GAA, .918 sv%, 2 SO

Though there’s no “X” next to the team on the USHL standings page, the Storm appear to have clinched a playoff spot by picking up a point Saturday night against Sioux City. Des Moines lost in a shootout and are five points behind Tri-City with two games to play. Wilcox was named first star for the 300th time in the last month it seems, and has backstopped his “new” team from the bottom of the standings into the playoffs. At least one USHL writer has pegged Wilcox (pictured) for goaltender of the year and says he should get MVP consideration. Wilcox is capable of stealing a short series in the playoffs if he gets some offensive help.

QMJHL

(13) Baie-Comeau Drakkar 2 @ (1) Saint John Sea Dogs 10
Quarterfinals – Saint John leads best of 7 series 2-0

C Danick Gauthier, SNB: 1-0-1, +1, 4 PIM (unsportsmanlike conduct, slashing), 4 SOG, 3 Hits
Playoff Totals: 6 GP, 7-2-9, +6, 6 PIM
Season Totals: 67 GP, 47-39-86, +46, 67 PIM

Not satisfied with their nine goals in Game 1, the Sea Dogs put up 10 in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead over the Drakkar. Gauthier had his seventh goal of the playoffs and was 14/20 on faceoffs. Saint John has outscored their opponents 53-13 in their sixth games. That’s just under nine goals a game. And that’s just silly. Game 3 is Tuesday in at Baie-Comeau.