PRE-GAME NOTES: Sea Dogs vs Tigres

GAME DAY
What: Presidents Cup Playoffs: Round Three – Game Four
Who: Saint John Sea Dogs vs Victoriaville Tigres
When: 8:00 pm AST
Where: Colisee Desjardins

LONG LAYOFF
Now that the cows and chickens have left the Colisee Desjardins’ livestock show, the Sea Dogs and Tigres enter tonight.

Saint John spent Wednesday at a spa in Quebec City before practicing yesterday at an alternative venue in Victoriaville.

DEFENSE NEEDS TO STEP UP
Saint John Head Coach Gerard Gallant told the Telegraph-Journal that his defense squad needs to step up.

"We gave them lots of opportunities,'' Gallant said. "They banged a couple in from the crease and our defence was playing soft and looking for pucks instead of playing the body and keeping them to the outside.

"We have to be tighter on our guys in the defensive end and I thought our high-slot coverage was the worst it's been all season. We just have to do things better in our defensive zone and we have to come ready to play. Our game is all about skating and moving the puck and we didn't do enough of that last game until it was too late.''

ANTHONY OUT AGAIN
Steven Anthony will hit the sidelines again tonight with a groin injury, according to La Nouvelle/L’Union. The newspaper reports that Will Johnston will take his place again this evening.

Anthony has played in only four playoff games this year and has no points. The Vancouver Canucks prospect joined the News 88.9 broadcast team on Tuesday.

SCHEMBRI IS IN
Mike Thomas is out tonight due to a suspension. Chuckie Schembri will take Thomas’ spot on the fourth line with Will Johnston and Zack Phillips, according to Tim Roszell.

The right winger has played in four playoff games with the Dogs this year and is a -1.

PELLETIER A GAME TIME DESCISION
Tigres defenseman Pier-Luc Pelletier is game time decision, Victoriaville head coach Yanick Jean tells La Nouvelle/L’Union. The 18-year old missed Tuesday’s game after suffering an injury in game two last Saturday at Harbour Station.

Pelletier has played in 12 playoff games for the Tigres and has one assist.

DUPONT DOWN AND OUT
Keven Dupont, the victim of the Mike Thomas hit, will not play tonight because of a broken nose and concussion.

MEDIA
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Radio: News 88.9 FM
Twitter: Station Nation