GATINEAU, Que. - It wasn't the prettiest goal, but for Alexandre Beauregard and the Saint John Sea Dogs it was the biggest of the season.
Beauregard scored the winner for the Sea Dogs in a 3-2 double overtime victory over the Gatineau Olympiques on Sunday to capture the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's President's Cup.
"It happened so quick that all I wanted to do was get a shot on goal," said Beauregard. "When I saw it go in it was an incredible feeling. This is amazing."
The Sea Dogs will now advance to the Memorial Cup tournament in Mississauga, Ont.
Saint John has been successful all season, posting a regular season record of 58-7-1 and a playoff record of 16-3. They also finished the playoffs with a perfect road record of 10-0.
"We knew it would be hard on the road, especially here they have a great crowd, but we play well here," said Jonathan Huberdeau, who earned the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the playoff's Most Valuable Player. "It was great to win (tonight) and now head to the Cup."
Stanislav Galiev and Huberdeau scored for the Sea Dogs as Jacob DeSerres faced 36 shots.
Philip-Michael Devos and Adam Janosik scored for the Olympiques. Maxime Clermont stopped 52 shots.
Saint John won the QMJHL final series 4-2.
Beauregard scored the game winner at 15:45 of double overtime. The puck bounced off Gatineau's David Weckworth's skate and landed right on Beauregard's stick who beat Clermont just inside the post.
Clermont, who was solid in net this series, was in tears following the loss and still struggled with the reality that the season was over.
"That's usually how playoff games are won," said Clermont. "It's usually some sort of strange bounce and then it's in the back of the net. I can't believe it's over."
Clermont said despite the fact the Olympiques were the underdogs they truly believed they could beat the Sea Dogs.
"We believed in ourselves," said Clermont. "We came back and played them hard. I give them full credit and we know the league will be well represented at the Memorial Cup."
Saint John opened the scoring at the four-minute mark of the first as Galiev picked up his own rebound and beat Clermont from in close.
Gatineau's Devos tied the game midway through the period as he won the battle for the puck in front of DeSerres and lifted it over the sprawled goaltender.
A scoreless second period saw the Olympiques outshoot the Sea Dogs 12-8 and take advantage of that momentum as Saint John seemed unable to find a way to contain Gatineau's forwards.
If not for the play of DeSerres the Sea Dogs would have found themselves in some serious trouble.
"I'm so proud of everyone on this team," said DeSerres. "This just feels so amazing. I don't even know how to describe it. This is just the greatest feeling I've ever had."
DeSerres' is hopeful the team's success on the road will continue through the Memorial Cup.
"It seems throughout the playoffs we had a good routine and hung out with the guys and just played well on the road," said DeSerres. "Let's hope it continues."
Gatineau appeared to be in control after taking the lead at 14:38 as Janosik scored his fifth of the season, but with 23.3 seconds remaining in regulation Huberdeau tied the game 2-2.
The Sea Dogs outshot the Olympiques 12-9 in the first overtime and had a number of chances, but their best opportunity came on a power play with just over five minutes remaining in the period, but once again Clermont was solid.
Olympiques coach Benoit Groulx was disappointed to not be able to force a Game 7, but he couldn't fault his team's effort.
"In our minds these guys are champions," said Groulx. "We have no regrets."
Notes: The Philadelphia Flyers' Claude Giroux, a former member of the Gatineau Olympiques, was on hand for the ceremonial faceoff.
