GAME DAY 44: at Charlottetown

The Saint John Sea Dogs (27-13-3-0, 57 points, 2^nd Maritimes, 6^th QMJHL) put their seven-game winning streak on the line tonight in Charlottetown when they face the Islanders (17-21-5-2, 41 points, 4^th Maritimes, 13^th QMJHL) at 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Webcast: None/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-2 home win over the Halifax Mooseheads on Saturday. Sam Povorozniouk had two goals while Spencer Smallman, Nathan Noel and Thomas Chabot added singles. Alex Bishop made 30 saves in the win. The Islanders are also coming off a home ice victory over the Mooseheads, picking up a 6-0 win on Sunday. Daniel Sprong, Oliver Cooper, Kameron Kielly, Samuel Blais, Mitchell Balmas and Jake Coughler all scored while Mason McDonald made 19 saves.

2015-16 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 5-0-0-0 against the Islanders this season while Charlottetown is 0-4-1-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Jan. 15 at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Islanders 8-7 in overtime. Mathieu Joseph had the game winner while Spencer Smallman, Jakub Zboril, Nathan Noel, Matthew Highmore, Joe Veleno, Sam Povorozniouk and Matt Murphy scored in regulation for Saint John. Charlottetown had a pair of goals from Jake Coughler and singles from Oliver Cooper, Mitchell Balmas, Daniel Sprong, Filip Chlapik and Bradley Kennedy. Mason McDonald made 50 saves in the loss. Marc-Antoine Turcotte allowed five goals on 25 shots and Alex Bishop allowed two on 15.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Islanders: Forward Oliver Cooper and defenseman Will Thompson.

Player to watch: Since joining the Islanders, Jake Coughler has four goals and an assist in six games – all of which have come over the past four games. Coughler only had five goals and 12 points in 28 games with Gatineau in the first half.

Three Things to Know

1. While the Sea Dogs lead the season series 5-0, the head-to-head meetings between Saint John and  Charlottetown have been very close this year.

Charlottetown 7 @ Saint John 8 (Jan 15 2016) Final OT1

Charlottetown 2 @ Saint John 3 (Dec 31 2015) Final
Charlottetown 3 @ Saint John 4 (Dec 5 2015) Final
Saint John 3 @ Charlottetown 1 (Oct 9 2015) Final
Saint John 3 @ Charlottetown 2 (Sep 25 2015) Final

2. Former Sea Dog Oliver Cooper has two goals and two assists in five games against his old club this season.

3. World junior goaltender Mason McDonald has allowed 15 goals in three games against Saint John this year. He has a 4.98 GAA and .873 SV% against the Dogs.

Notes: The Sea Dogs are the hottest team in the league right now, having won seven straight and gaining at least a point in nine straight… Saint John has won four straight games on the road… Nathan Noel has goals in five straight games and points in nine straight… Sam Povorozniouk has goals in four straight… Matt Murphy is eighth in defensemen scoring with six goals and 32 points in 43 games… Luke Green leads all QMJHL defensemen in shots on goal… the Dogs are 14-6-1-0 on the road this season… Charlottetown is 9-11-1-1 at home… Daniel Sprong has assists in six straight games and points in 10 straight.

Out of town:

Shawinigan at Québec - 7:00 PM EST
Halifax at Rouyn-Noranda - 7:00 PM EST

Next game: The Sea Dogs host the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles tomorrow night in the first of back-to-back games between the two. It’s an 8 p.m. start due to Sportsnet broadcasting the game.