SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

GAME CHANGER
Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant thought that Mike Thomas changed the momentum of Saturday’s game in Rouyn-Noranda.

"I thought we responded really well,'' the head coach said to the Telegraph-Journal. "Mike Thomas went out and had a good shift and ended up in a fight and I thought the momentum changed there.

Thomas now has a team high 11 fights this year. The next highest total is three and belongs to Stephen MacAulay.

BEAULIEU, PHILLIPS CONSIDERED
Sea Dogs defenseman Nathan Beaulieu and forward Zach Phillips were considered for QMJHL defensive and offensive player of the week awards, respectively.

Nicolas Chouinard scored six goals and added two assists in four Juniors road games to bick up the offensive honor. The Matane native collected a career-high five goals in a 9-7 victory over the Lewiston MAINEiacs on Tuesday. Moreover, he posted a +4 rating and won 66.7% of his draws. Finally, he registered a game-winning goal and added a shorthanded marker.

Jake Allen takes home defensive honors. The Voltigeurs goaltender was spectacular, going 188 minutes and 47 seconds without allowing a single goal; the second longest streak in QMJHL history. Allen also recorded four wins, including two by shutout. He maintained a 0.50 goals-against-average and .980 save percentage while facing an average of 25.5 shots per game.

SNUBBED
Patrick King of Rogers Sportsnet has given Friday’s game at Harbour Station the cold shoulder. King picked the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies versus Drummondville Voltigeurs tilt over the Sea Dogs versus Moncton Wildcats game as the QMJHL Game of the Week.

Considering four of the six games between Saint John and Moncton have gone beyond regulation time, the move is a bit strange. That is not to mention the fact that both teams are in the CHL Top 10, both are in the top three of the league, and will meet each other on Sportsnet in two weeks.

To view “Who’s Hot, Who’s Not” click HERE.

UP NEXT
The PEI Rocket roll into town on Wednesday for a game at 7:00 pm at Harbour Station. Saint John is 4-2-0-0 against the Rocket this year and will likely play each other in the opening round of the post-season. The two teams play each other once more in Charlottetown later this month.

This will be the third and final “V-alue Night” of the year, with special $5.00 upper bowl seats available for purchase. Also designated “Faith & Family Night,” Team Chaplain and Hockey Ministries International Director Bruce Smith will be addressing the crowd in a post-game inspirational speech.

FAN CHOICE AWARDS
Glancing through the “Dog Bytes Newsletter,” ballots for the Sea Dogs’ Fan Choice awards are available at Sea Dogs Central.

Throughout the duration of the regular season, Sea Dogs fans will have a chance to vote for their favourite member of the team and help determine the winner of the 2009-10 Children's Wish Foundation Fan Choice Award. Ballots will be available at Section B on the Harbour Station concourse at all remaining Sea Dogs home games. Representatives from the Children's Wish Foundation are asking fans to submit a $2.00 donation upon casting their votes, with all proceeds going towards the noble charity organization.

All fans who submit a ballot will be entered in a draw to win one of five game night prize packages consisting of a Simon Després bobble head doll and a pair of President's Cup Playoff tickets. One grand prize winner will also receive a team-signed jersey at the Sea Dogs' Fan Appreciation Game on March 7.

Will the Simon Despres bobble heads ever be all gone?

GOAL POST GIVEN’
Sea Dogs Foundation Co-chairperson Andrew Campbell presented McDonald's Restaurants representative Mike Schultz with a cheque for three thousand dollars during a pre-game ceremony at Harbour Station last Saturday against Shawinigan. This money will go towards the Ronald McDonald House Charity, a magnanimous organization which provides housing for the families of hospitalized children. Every time a Sea Dogs player hits a goalpost, a donation is made to the Ronald McDonald House Charity.

PAUL IN TROUBLE
According to the Cape Breton Post, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles tough guy Kalin Paul is being charged with attempted robbery. Paul was injured in a fight against Will Johnston back in January at Harbour Station.

Police say a man walking along Kings Road near the Wentworth condominiums was approached by two males at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, and they assaulted him and attempted to steal his money. There was no weapon involved.

The man was able to escape the confrontation and contact police. He received minor facial injuries.