LOOKING AHEAD

SAINT JOHN – The time for celebration is over.

The Saint John Sea Dogs depart for Mississauga, Ont. tomorrow as they begin their quest for the a national championship at the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

The team, which just won the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League title on Sunday night, held a rally/sendoff party at Harbour Station on Tuesday to allow fans to view the President’s Cup and send their well wishes.

The Sea Dogs’ focus now shifts to the Memorial Cup where they will join the host Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, the Ontario Hockey League champion Owen Sound Attack, and the Western Hockey League champion Kootenay Ice.

Here is the full schedule:

Round-Robin Game 1 –Saint John vs. Mississauga on Friday May 20, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 2 – Owen Sound vs. Kootenay on Saturday May 21, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 3 – Mississauga vs. Kootenay on Sunday May 22, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 4 – Owen Sound vs. Saint John on Monday May 23, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 5 – Kootenay vs. Saint John on Tuesday May 24, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 6 – Mississauga vs. Owen Sound on Wednesday May 25, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Tie-Breaker (if necessary) – Thursday May 26, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Semi-Final – Friday May 27, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Championship Final – Sunday May 29, 2011 at 8:00 pm

Saint John’s schedule:

Round-Robin Game 1 –Saint John vs. Mississauga on Friday May 20, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 4 – Owen Sound vs. Saint John on Monday May 23, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Round-Robin Game 5 – Kootenay vs. Saint John on Tuesday May 24, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Tie-Breaker (if necessary) – Thursday May 26, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Semi-Final – Friday May 27, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Championship Final – Sunday May 29, 2011 at 8:00 pm

Their opening game against Mississauga should be a tough one. The Majors have been preparing for this event for a year now. They should also have some extra motivation entering the tournament after losing the OHL title in overtime of Game Seven.

Saint John then has two days off before playing back-to-back games – Monday against Owen Sound and Tuesday against Kootenay. They will then have at least one day off before the elimination round begins.

All games start at 8:00 pm and will be played at the Hershey Centre.
Rogers Sportsnet will be airing a Memorial Cup preview show tomorrow night at 8:00 pm.