Fog Devils make their point in opener

It wasn't the start they hoped for, but the St. John's major midget Fog Devils did come away with a point in their first game at the Telus Cup national midget hockey championships in Levis, Que. Monday.

"I won't say we're happy," coach Wally Bray said following the team's 3-3 draw with the Gaulois du CollÈge Antoine-Girouard, "but I will say we're satisfied."

All three Fog Devils goals on Monday came with the team holding a man advantage, while each of Gaulois' markers came at even strength, this despite the having four power-play opportunities.

Bray, however, feels the Quebec team's second goal was a "flukey one" as it came about as a result of defenceman Justin Walsh breaking a stick while trying to play the puck, leaving Gaulois' Olivier Jodoin open at the side of the net to draw even at 2-2.

In the third, after St. John's took the lead for the second time, going up 3-2 near the five-minute mark, Bray contended officials missed a high stick on Robert Cahill that resulted in a Gaulois goal to knot the contest at 3-3 and cost St. John's a chance to go on a power play.

"It should have been a penalty against them, but we never got the call and they went in an scored," Bray explained.

"Very easily, on that call alone we could have won the game 4-2."

Cody Squires, the Foggies' player of the game, had a goal and two helpers, as did Zach O'Brien, despite being watched closely by the Gaulois throughout Monday's game.

"They've certainly scouted our team, because they're not giving O'Brien an inch," Bray said.

"Five-on-five, they're not giving him much room at all."

St. John's defenceman Michael Abbott had a goal and an assist.

Fog Devil goaltender Scott Bray's 42-save performance - 19 in the second period - earned him a second consecutive start. And he e is expected to keep the No. 1 job through the tourney, "depending on how we do," the coach said.

"The experience Bray has gotten over the years with major midget and coming up through and travelling a fair bit, we're looking at riding on him right now."

Coach Bray and company took advantage of their schedule to take in the majority of the day's first game, a 5-3 Notre Dame (Sask.) Hounds win over the Red Deer, Alta., Optimist Rebels, and the first period of play in the evening game - which eventually saw the host Levis Commandeurs defeat Ontario's Mississauga Reps 4-1 - in an effort to scout competition the rest of the way.

"It's good, tight hockey," Bray said.

"Nothing's coming easy, it's back and forth, you've got to take advantage of your chances."

The Fog Devils next play tonight, as they take on the Commandeurs at 9 p. m. Newfoundland time.

koliver@thetelegram.com