SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

NO ROSZELL THIS WEEKEND
Sea Dogs play-by-play man Tim Roszell will not be broadcasting this weekend’s games live on News 88.9 according to saintjohnseadogs.com. No reason was given.

In replace of the popular announcer, News 88.9 will be pick up Halifax’s News 95.7 broadcast with John Moore on Friday and then on Saturday will pick up News 91.9’s broadcast with Les Stodley from Moncton. Moore is an excellent broadcaster and even has his own website. Stoodley is, well… not great. Loading up the car and driving up the highway would be a better idea.

This is not official, but Station Nation believes Roszell has only missed three or four games (we can’t remember which) since joining the team in 2006-07.

MORIN, ANTHONY “PROBABLE” TO PLAY THIS WEEKEND
Steven Anthony and Christian Morin are “probable” to play this weekend according to the Sea Dogs’ Twitter page. Both players are recovering from concussions.

Morin was injured two weeks ago in Quebec City when he was nailed by Dominic Savoie of the Remparts behind the net. He has missed the last four games with what the Sea Dogs originally called an upper body injury. In 34 games with Val-d’Or and Saint John this season, he has six goals and five assists.

Anthony, a Vancouver Canucks prospect, suffered his injury in the second period of this past Friday’s 6-3 win over the Foreurs. He left the game and did not return. In 47 games, Anthony has 16 goals and 23 assists while playing mostly on a line with Michael Kirkpatrick and Tomas Jurco.

MAYER UPDATE
Cincinnati.com had an article this week about former Saint John goaltender Robert Mayer and his adventures in the East Coast Hockey League this season.

Mayer has been rotating in net with fellow rookie net minder Jeremy Smith with the Cincinnati Cyclones. The duo has allowed the fewest goals in the American Conference with 128 goals against.

“They are both 20-year-old guys learning the pro game,” Cyclones coach Chuck Weber said. “They are coming from being dominant players playing against 16- and 17-year-olds. Now, they are playing against men and the shots are coming faster, the players are better and the skill level is higher. Things happen quicker and they are making the adjustment.”

To read the full article click HERE.

Mayer has played in 20 games this season and has allowed 54 goals. He has made 419 saves in 1,087 minutes.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Now that the Sea Dogs are answering their tweets on Twitter, we asked them what was up with no video highlights from Saturday’s game.

“@station_nation the arena video system crashed as they were uploading unfortunately; REALLY looking forward to the impending system upgrade!”

That sucks.

PARTY AT THE CO-OP
Several members of the Saint John Sea Dogs will be taking part in a special autograph signing at three Co-op Atlantic locations this Sunday, February 7 from 2 - 4pm.

Star forwards Michael Kirkpatrick and Nick Petersen will be signing autographs at the regional grocery chain's Kennebecasis Valley location, while rookie defenseman Pierre Durepos and Ottawa Senators prospect Mike Hoffman will be appearing in Grand Bay. Veteran blue-liner Christian Morin and overage Marco Cousineau, meanwhile, will be on hand at the Saint John store to mingle with fans.

DARK JERSEY AUCTION
Fans of the Port City’s major junior squad will be able to own a piece of team history this month, with a silent auction featuring game-worn road jerseys from the Sea Dogs’ 2008-09 season set to be held throughout February. Bid sheets will be situated at Sea Dogs Central (Section S, Harbour Station concourse) at all five home games in February.

Some great jerseys are up for auction including: Alexei Dostoinov, Andrew Howes, Josh Schram, and Dillen Theriault.

To view the full list and to make a bid click HERE. Bidding will end at the 30:00 mark of Saint John’s final home game of the month, a February 21 contest versus the Rimouski Oceanic.

PETERSEN Q & A
The Pittsburgh Penguins blog “Pensburgh” had a question and answer session with Nicholas Petersen this past week. Good article with Saint John spelt wrong every time.

Click HERE to read the article. Good website if you’ve never visited it before.

DIVISIONAL DOMINANCE
Saint John has dominated teams in their own division this season and have a record of 23-5-0-0 in 28 games against teams from the Maritimes.

Three of those five loses have been against Moncton and Halifax – who the Sea Dogs play this weekend. The Dogs head to Halifax on Friday night for a 7:00 pm tilt. Then on Saturday, the Moncton Coliseum is the stage for what shall be an epic tilt of QMJHL dominance. The show begins at 7:00 pm as well.

We have your pre-game coverage for both games.