SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

BOOKED SOLID
The Sea Dogs sent us this on Facebook about the gap between games three and four in Victoriaville:

This is because Victoriaville does not have access to their rink for Wednesday or Thursday.

Our friend/enemy Marc Grandmaison informed us on Twitter on what is occupying the Colisee Desjardins. As it turns out, there is a massive Spring Show in town on April 21 and 22.

One of the parts of the event can be seen in the picture above.

Sea Dogs President Wayne Long said the following in the Telegraph-Journal today about the moving of game two at Harbour Station:

"It's a win-win, because it helps us at the gate and provides some more down time between games for teams to travel," Long said.

Once again, game one is Friday at 7:30 pm and game two is Saturday at 8:00 pm. All Sunday bought tickets will be honored for game two.

PLAYS OF THE WEEK
Tomas Jurco has once again been featured in the Mazda QMJHL Plays of the Week.

Click HERE to check it out.

TIGRES GET CITY HALL SUPPORT

MOORE STUFF
Halifax Mooseheads play-by-play man John Moore sent this lovely tweet out last week:

16 year old Jonathan Huberdeau is playing like a vet. 1st star twice in Saint John 4 game sweep of Gatineau. He was last pick of 1st rd.

Speaking of John Moore, he recently named Sea Dogs goaltender Marco Cousineau the best dressed player in the QMJHL. The revealing video can be seen below:



ANOTHER TEAR DRIPPER
Hockey’s Future has produced yet another Mike Hoffman article about his epic climb to become QMJHL MVP.

“There’s no doubt he’s going to be a pro. How long it takes to get to the National Hockey League will be the question. When he’s playing against men it will be a little different for him because he’s got to learn to play the pro game and get inside against bigger, stronger guys,” Mike Kelly added. “I would expect anywhere around three years. Right now he’s got enough skill and speed to play there. It’s whether he can figure out the rest of it.”

POLL RESULTS
Last week’s question: What does Saint John need most at the draft?

Forward- 1
Defenceman- 4
Goalie- 31

Looks like the Dogs need some goaltending.

BUS TRIP TO VICTORIAVILLE FOR GAMES 4 & 5
If you are interested in going on the Sea Dogs Fan Bus to Victoriaville this weekend, read this Facebook post (about the scheduling change) for further information.

Here is an excerpt:

* Ticket to each game.
*Round trip on motor coach.
*Total Cost $125.00 Cash Only

We will depart from Acadian Lines at 6:00 am April 23rd, and drive to Victoriaville. Check in will be done when we arrive and then we will head to the game for 7:00 pm their time. There are only 50 seats available, this will be a first come first serve basis. This trip will need to have a full bus in order to happen.

PETERSEN RANKED SEVENTH
Kevin Forbes of Hockey’s Future has ranked Nicholas Petersen as the seventh best drafted winger in the QMJHL this season.

Breaking out as a 19-year-old with the Shawinigan Cataractes and helping the club make it all the way to the league finals in the postseason, Petersen was a bit of a surprise to be drafted after being skipped over the previous two seasons. It was even more surprising when the Penguins opted to not keep the 20-year-old in the pro ranks, but opted to instead return him to junior, where his rights were dealt to the Saint John Sea Dogs. On a line with fellow over-age player Mike Hoffman (OTT), who also heard his name called on the 2009 draft day after a strong 19-year-old season, Petersen's playoff experience is a valuable addition to the Sea Dogs line-up. After helping pace Saint John to first place in the league standings with 39 goals and 79 points in 59 games, Petersen has posted two goals and 11 points in seven playoff matches thus far.

Chris DiDomenico was ranked fourth.

NOT LOOKING AHEAD
There is not much point in hiding the fact that nearly every hockey fan in the area wants to see a Saint John – Moncton final.

"Maybe I'm a bit superstitious," Scott McCain said to the Telegraph-Journal. "I don't really want to comment on what that dream matchup would look like until I see the Sea Dogs in that position.

"Right now, our team is focused on Victoriaville," he said. "They have a terrific hockey club and they'll be tough. But if we earn the right and are fortunate to move onto the next round, Moncton would be an amazing opponent to see in the final."

MEET THE GOALIES
Moncton Wildcats reporter Neil Hodge took a look at the final four goatenders remaining in the QMJHL post-season today in CanadaEast.

It is interesting to note that the best regular season team remaining, Saint John, has the highest goals against average in the playoffs among the four. But the worst team remaining record wise, Victoriaville, has the best GAA.

They all have the ability to steal games and that should create marquee matchups between netminders in both semifinals. Saint John (109), Drummondville (104), Moncton (102) and Victoriaville (95) had the four highest points totals in the league this season. The four Presidents Cup contenders also have impressive team goals-against average in the playoffs -- Victoriaville (1.86), Moncton (1.93), Drummondville (2.00) and Saint John (2.21).