PRE-GAME NOTES: Sea Dogs vs Wildcats

GAME DAY
What: Presidents Cup Playoffs: Round Four – Game Four
Who: Saint John Sea Dogs vs Moncton Wildcats
When: 7:35 pm
Where: Moncton Coliseum

LOOKING TO IMPROVE
The Moncton Wildcats hockey club has been known as the league’s best defensive squad for the past two seasons. But after allowing just one goal in game one, the ‘Cats have let nine go past them in the last two games.

"We've got to be much stronger defensively than that,” said Tampa Bay Lightning defensive prospect Mark Barberio to the Times & Transcript. “We've got to be more accountable. Saint John has too much firepower for us to be nonchalant. We let them control the last game. A team as talented as they are will take advantage of it and make you pay for it if you're not solid defensively.''

"We talked before the last game about not getting comfortable (with a 2-0 series lead),'' said Barberio. "We know that Saint John is a great team. They finished first overall in the league. We talked before Game 3 about not going into it too loose, but I think we did.”

PACKED HOUSE
6,802 will watch tonight’s game at the Moncton Coliseum. Game five at Harbour Station tomorrow sold-out in 31 minutes while game six – if necessary – is already sold-out in Moncton.

"The big thing that playoffs bring is added exposure and the atmosphere in the building is tremendous," said Wildcats general manager Bill Schurman to the Moncton T&T. "With the extra attention and sellout games, it's the hottest ticket in town and it's socially the place to be.

"People like to go where it's popular to be. People attract people and if it's an environment where they're having fun the chances are good they'll come back to another game in the future."

According to News 91.9, “There are dozens of postings on Kijiji from fans looking to buy tickets to tonight's sold out game.”

BACKING UP THEIR TEAM
The city of Moncton is certainly backing their junior hockey team up.

All along Mountain Road are Wildcats signs of support. Canadian Tire, Coast Tire, and Vito’s all have signs up to support to the Wildcats. Many houses have folding clappers in their windows and signs propped up on their lawns.

LEARNING TO FORGET
Many members of the Saint John Sea Dogs may still be having nightmares over their last visit to the Coliseum. The Sea Dogs got trounced by score of 9-3 last Sunday in Game Two. But the team is hoping positive vibes come out of their successful Game Three win.

"I think we have to forget about the game that we had there and come out with the same effort we did on Tuesday night I mean we need a great start like we had last game and we have to finish all our checks and get in front of their goalie," said Michael Kirkpatrick to News 88.9.

Saint John, the league’s best road team during the regular season, is 2-3 at the Coliseum this year in the regular season and playoffs.

HITMEN CAN BOOK THEIR TRIP
The Calgary Hitmen can end the Tri-City Americans season tonight with a win and book their trip to the Memorial Cup.

The Windsor Spitfires as OHL champions have already advanced along with the host Brandon Wheat Kings.

MEDIA
Television: Rogers TV (channel 10)
Webcast: Telus
Radio: News 88.9 FM
Twitter: Station Nation, Vincent Gauthier, Cats on News 91.9, Shaun McKenzie, and Marc Grandmaison.