Hurricanes sign Smallman to ELC

Saint John Sea Dogs captain Spencer Smallman has signed three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team announced on Friday.

Smallman was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the 'Canes.

Carolina is one of the NHL's few revolutionary teams, posting actual contract details.

On the NHL level, the deal will pay Smallman $650,000 in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and $700,000 in 2019-20. On the AHL level, he will be paid $65,000 in 2017-18 and $70,000 in 2018-19 and 2019-20, and he receives a signing bonus of $225,000.

The overage forward has had a career year with the Sea Dogs, recording 30 goals and 49 assists in 60 games. His previous career highs were 23 goals and 33 assists, set in 2014-15.

In the first round of this year's playoffs, Smallman recorded three goals and two assists in four games. The captain scored a hat trick in Saint John's 9-2 Game 1 win over the Rimouski Oceanic.

Smallman has been particularly good in the month of March. He registered eight goals and three assists in seven regular season games during the month and then added three goals and two assists in four post-season contests.

"Spencer took a big step forward this season," said Hurricanes executive vice president and general manager Ron Francis. "He's been in a leadership role for his team for the last three years, and helped Saint John to the best record in the Quebec League this year."

Smallman will remain with the Sea Dogs for the rest of the season before presumably turning professional next season. He'll likely play in either the AHL or ECHL.

Earlier this month, the Hurricanes signed Sea Dogs goaltender Callum Booth.

Who will the Sea Dogs face next?

Who will the Saint John Sea Dogs play in the second round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs? There are a few possibilities.

Saint John's next playoff opponent is relatively simple to determine - with the Sea Dogs finishing first overall in the regular season standings, they will always play the lowest remaining seed. That means the Sea Dogs could face any team seeded eighth or lower in this round.

Here is who the Dogs could face:

Chicoutimi (8) - swept the Victoriaville Tigres in the first round.

Gatineau (10) - avoided elimination with a win on Wednesday at home. They trail the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 3-1 heading into Friday night's Game 5 at the Guertin.

Val-d'Or (14) - it seems like the Shawinigan Cataractes struggle in the first round every year, and this season is no different. The Val-d'Or Foreurs evened up the series at 2-2 with a Wednesday win. Game 5 is Friday night in Shawinigan.

Halifax (15) - the surprising Mooseheads have given the second seeded Rouyn-Noranda Huskies fits this round. The series is even at 2-2 with a huge Game 5 - the last Halifax home game of the series - to be played on Friday.

Both of Rouyn's Euros suspended for a pivotal game 5 in Halifax tomorrow night. Already without leading scorer Antoine Waked. #QMJHL https://t.co/nenvl2rqiv

— Alex (@Penguins23) March 31, 2017

Long story short - the Sea Dogs will not know who their second round opponent is until Monday night at the earliest. If a series goes seven games, those matches would be played Tuesday.

The Sea Dogs announced Wednesday night that Game 1 of their second round series would be played next Friday, April 7 at Harbour Station. Game 2 is expected to be played the following day.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 4-3

FINAL: Saint John 4, Rimouski 3

RIMOUSKI, Que. - The Saint John Sea Dogs are moving on.

Simon Bourque's goal with 3:18 remaining in the third period proved to be the winner in a 4-3 Sea Dogs victory over the Rimouski Oceanic, completing a four-game opening round sweep. It was a far from perfect performance by the Sea Dogs, who never led in the game before Bourque's goal.

Thomas Chabot, Kyle Ward and Matthew Highmore also scored for Saint John, who outshot the Oceanic 46-16. Callum Booth made 13 saves in the win.

Carson MacKinnon, Samuel Laberge and Alex-Olivier Voyer scored for Rimouski. Charles-Olivier Levesque made 42 stops in the loss.

To the notes...

• The Oceanic scored shorthanded at 5:46, making it 1-0. MacKinnon fired a shot on net that Booth wasn't quite able to glove, giving the home side an early advantage.
• Chabot tied the game on a power play at 15:26, ripping a quick wrist shot past the glove of Levesque.
• Near the midway point of the second, and with Saint John on a power play, Booth made a huge pad save off Tyler Boland to keep the game tied.
• Saint John's struggles continued at 12:23 when Laberge made it 2-1 Oceanic on a delayed penalty call. Tyler Boland slid the puck through the crease to an open Laberge to put Rimouski back in front.
• Ward scored at 15:10 to even things at 2-2, beating Levesque upstairs with a blistering shot.
• The Oceanic retook the lead at 16:33 when Voyer beat Booth up high. That made it 3-2 Oceanic. 
• Saint John created some excellent offensive pressure early in the third period but could not connect.
• The Sea Dogs continued to pour the pressure on and finally scored at 11:41. Joseph made a nice play to get the puck into the crease where Highmore finished it off, tying the match at 3-3.
• With 3:18 to go, Bourque fired a shot off the boards that bounced back in front and beat Levesque, giving Saint John a 4-3 advantage.

Playoffs Game Day: Game 4 at Rimouski

The Saint John Sea Dogs can advance to the second round of the President Cup playoffs with a victory over the Rimouski Oceanic tonight. Game time for Game 4 is 8:30 p.m. in Rimouski.

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

Series status: The Sea Dogs lead the first round best-of-seven series 3-0.

Last game: The Sea Dogs won Game 4 last night in Rimouski by score of 5-2. Bokondji Imama scored twice for Saint John while singles came from Jakub Zboril, Matthew Highmore and Joe Veleno. Denis Mikhnin and Nico Blachman had goals for the Oceanic. Callum Booth made 10 saves in the win. Alexandre Lagace made 33 stops in the loss.

2016-17 regular season head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 2-0-0-0 against the Oceanic in the regular season while Rimouski went 0-2-0-0 against Saint John.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Oceanic: Forward Nico Blachman and defenceman Vincent Martineau.

Random stat: The Sea Dogs have swept seven playoff series in their history. The last came in the final round of the 2012 playoffs against none other than the Oceanic.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 5-2

FINAL: Saint John 5, Rimouski 2

RIMOUSKI, Que. - The Saint John Sea Dogs are one win away from advancing to the second round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs.

The Sea Dogs took a 3-0 lead in their first round series against the Rimouski Oceanic on Tuesday, recording a 5-2 win at Colisée Financière Sun Life. Saint John can complete the sweep with a win in Game 4 Wednesday night.

Bokondji Imama had a pair of goals for Saint John while singles came from Jakub Zboril, Matthew Highmore and Joe Veleno. Callum Booth had a quiet night in net, only facing 12 shots in the win.

Denis Mikhnin and Nico Blachman responded for the Oceanic. Alexandre Lagace made 33 stops in the loss.

To the notes...

• Early in the first period, Cole Reginato and Blachman had a long, eventful fight. Reginato returned to the game for a short time but eventually left and did not return.
• Zboril opened the scoring on a power play at 9:51 when a shot went off a Rimouski player's leg and past Lagace.
• Rimouski quickly tied the game at 11:58 - on their first shot of the game. After a Sea Dogs turnover, Mikhnin showed some nice patience and beat Booth from a sharp angle.
• Imama gave the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead at 5:49 of the second. The 20-year-old forward entered into the zone with the puck and had a step on the Rimouski defence, eventually firing a hard wrist shot past Lagace.
• Highmore made it 3-1 Saint John at 8:35. Mathieu Joseph centred the puck to Highmore in front, who got enough of the puck to chip it off Lagace's stick and up-and-over the Rimouski netminder.
• Shots were 15-3 in favour of the Sea Dogs in the second period.
• Just 2:01 into the third, Blachman, who was along the goal line, banked a shot off Booth and in, cutting Saint John's lead to 3-2.
• Veleno got Saint John's two-goal lead back at 8:24. After a point shot from Thomas Chabot couldn't be gloved by Lagace, Veleno put in the rebound.
• Just 25 seconds later, Imama netted his second of the match - potting the puck past a scrambling Lagace - to give the Dogs a 5-2 advantage. 
• Current Sea Dog and former Oceanic captain Simon Bourque was honoured before the game.
• The Sea Dogs allowed just 12 shots against in this game, which is a franchise playoff low, according to Tim Roszell. The previous team record was 15.
• Saint John scored their first power play goal of the playoffs.
• Blachman's goal was his first ever playoff goal and just the fifth of his QMJHL career.
• Zboril returned to the Saint John lineup after missing the first two games of the series with an upper body injury.

Playoffs Game Day: Game 3 at Rimouski

The Saint John Sea Dogs look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in their first round matchup with the Rimouski Oceanic tonight. Puck drop for tonight's Game 3 is 8:30 p.m. at Rimouski's Colisée Financière Sun Life.

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

Series status: The Sea Dogs lead the first round best-of-seven series 2-0.

Last game: The Sea Dogs won Saturday's Game 2 at Harbour Station by a score of 4-1. Thomas Chabot scored two goals for Saint John while singles came from Bokondji Imama and Mathieu Joseph. Tyler Boland scored Rimouski's lone goal. Callum Booth made 17 saves in the win. Alexandre Lagace made 32 saves in the loss.

2016-17 regular season head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 2-0-0-0 against the Oceanic in the regular season while Rimouski went 0-2-0-0 against Saint John.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Oceanic: Forward Nico Blachman and defenceman Vincent Martineau.

Random stat: Saint John had the league's best power play throughout the regular season but has gone cold so far in the playoffs. They are 0-for-5 in the first two games of this series.

Chabot, Flynn nominated for awards

Two members of the Saint John Sea Dogs have been nominated for QMJHL awards.

Thomas Chabot has been nominated for the Émile "Butch" Bouchard Trophy, which is awarded annually to the league's top defenceman.

Chabot, who started the year with the Ottawa Senators, recorded 10 goals and 45 points in 34 games with Saint John. He missed the start of the year while with the Sens and another month while playing with Team Canada at the world juniors.

Guillaume Brisebois of the Charlottetown Islanders and Samuel Girard of the Shawinigan Cataractes have also been nominated. Girard led all QMJHL skaters in assists this season with 66 in 59 games.

The last Sea Dog to win the top defenceman award was Simon Despres in 2011.

Behind the bench, Danny Flynn has been nominated for the Ron-Lapointe Trophy, which is awarded annually to the league's top coach.

Gilles Bouchard of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and Joël Bouchard of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada are the other nominees. Interestingly, Gilles Bouchard won the award last season while  Joël Bouchard won the previous year.

Flynn previously won the award in 2009 while with the Moncton Wildcats. Gerard Gallant was the last Sea Dogs head coach to win the honour, claiming the trophy in 2010 and 2011.

The Golden Puck Awards will be held April 5 in Quebec City. The full list of nominees can be found here.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 4-1

FINAL: Rimouski 1, Saint John 4

Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs are hitting the road with a 2-0 series lead in their first round playoff matchup with the Rimouski Oceanic.

The Sea Dogs defeated the Oceanic 4-1 in Game 2 on Saturday night at Harbour Station. The game was close for much of the contest - unlike Game 1 - but the Sea Dogs pressed in the third period and secured the victory.

Games three and four of the series will be held in Rimouski next week. It will return to Saint John for Game 5, if needed.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Thomas Chabot (two), Bokondji Imama and Mathieu Joseph. Callum Booth was excellent when called upon, stopping 17 shots.

Replying for the Oceanic was Tyler Boland while Alexandre Lagace had a nice bounce back game, stopping 32 shots and keeping the Oceanic in it for much of the contest.

To the notes…

• Imama got the Dogs on the board first at 5:09 of the opening period, jamming home a loose puck rebound in front of Lagace. 
• Boland picked up his first goal of the playoffs later in the first period. After picking up his own rebound, Boland slid the puck past Booth at 16:21 to tie it at 1-1.
• Chabot got the lead back for the Sea Dogs with a shorthanded marker at 5:47 of the second period, firing a point shot that was deflected off an Oceanic player and fluttered over Lagace.
• Joseph provided a much needed insurance marker at 13:33 of the third period with a wrap around move that he was able to finish off, giving the Sea Dogs a 3-1 advantage.
• Saint John sealed the victory when Chabot launched a shot from just in front of the Sea Dogs goal and into an empty at 19:44, making it a 4-1 final. 
• Rimouski's Maxime Trepanier took a heavy hit from Chase Stewart in the second period and did not return.
• The Sea Dogs' power play failed to connect for the second straight game, going 0-for-3. It is now 0-for-5 in the series.
• Chabot is currently tied with Frederic Allard (Chicoutimi) for the most points by a defenceman in the playoffs with five in two games.

Another big Game 1 victory

Friday's lopsided Game 1 result was nothing new for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs seem to have a tradition of blowing out teams in their first game of the playoffs - especially when they are the No. 1 seeded team (which should come as no surprise under the current 1 vs 16 format).

While nine goals is a lot, it didn't reach the team record of 13 goals scored in a playoff opener or tie for the second most - which has been done twice (10 goals).

Here's a look at how the Sea Dogs have performed in every round one, game one in team history.

Season	Game 1	Series	Playoffs
2007-08	10-4 win vs PEI	4-0 Win	Lost semifinal
2008-09	5-4 OTL at CAP	4-0 Loss	Lost first round
2009-10	8-3 win vs PEI	4-1 Win	Lost final
2010-11	10-0 win vs CAP	4-0 Win	Championship
2011-12	13-4 win vs CAP	4-0 Win	Championship
2012-13	11-1 loss at HAL	4-0 Loss	Lost first round
2014-15	3-1 loss at BAC	4-1 Loss	Lost first round
2015-16	4-1 win vs BAT	4-1 Win	Lost semifinal
2016-17	9-2 win vs RIM	1-0 Lead	TBD

Notably, the Sea Dogs have also been on the other side of a blow out, falling 11-1 to eventual Memorial Cup champion Halifax in 2013 (yet the Sea Dogs lost Game 2 by a final of only 2-1).

History indicates that Friday's result has set the Sea Dogs up for success. We'll see what happens this year.

Some other notes...

• It was a great Friday night of playoff hockey in the QMJHL. There was an overtime game (Cape Breton beat Gatineau 1-0), two upsets (Halifax defeated Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d'Or beat Shawinigan) and just one blowout (Saint John's 9-2 win). Hopefully these entertainment trends continue.
• In the OHL, the Memorial Cup hosting Windsor Spitfires earned a big 4-3 overtime win over the London Knights in Game 1 of that series.
• The QMJHL website notes that five of the last seven regular season champions went on to win the President Cup. It also notes that Saint John went 23-3-2 - a .821 win percentage - following the end of the world juniors and trading period (Jan. 9).

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

Playoffs Game Day: Game 2 vs Oceanic

The Saint John Sea Dogs look to take a 2-0 series lead in their first round matchup with the Rimouski Oceanic tonight. Game time for Game 2 is 7 p.m. at Harbour Station.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Series status: Saint John's leads the best-of-seven first round series 1-0.

Last game: The Sea Dogs skated away with a fairly easy Game 1 victory on Friday night at Harbour Station, defeating the Oceanic 9-2. Spencer Smallman had a hat trick for Saint John, Mathieu Joseph two goals and singles came from Cole Reginato, Joe Veleno, Kyle Ward and Julien Gauthier. Rimouski goals came from Denis Mikhnin and Alexandre Grise. Callum Booth made 22 saves in the win. Alexandre Lagace was pulled after allowing four goals on 13 shots in the first period. Jimmy Lemay allowed five goals on 22 shots in the final 40 minutes.

2016-17 regular season head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 2-0-0-0 against the Oceanic in the regular season while Rimouski went 0-2-0-0 against Saint John.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Oceanic: Forward Nico Blachman and defenceman Vincent Martineau.

Random stat:

Spencer Smallman last 11 games: 13 goals and nine assists. Has goals in five straight (nine scored during that span).

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) March 25, 2017

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 9-2

FINAL: Rimouski 2, Saint Jon 9

Lorne Webster | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – The top ranked Saint John Sea Dogs jumped out to a 1-0 first round series lead after defeating the Rimouski Oceanic 9-2 at Harbour Station Friday evening.

Captain Spencer Smallman accepted the Jean Rougeau Trophy on behalf of the Sea Dogs prior to the game - to recognize the team's first place finish in the QMJHL's 2016-17 regular season - and then proceeded to score three goals to lead Saint John to victory. Mathieu Joseph added two more while Cole Reginato, Joe Veleno, Kyle Ward and Julien Gauthier also scored for Saint John. Callum Booth was stellar for the hosts with 22 saves, including a few big stops after Sea Dog miscues.

The Sea Dogs' attack was so balanced that only two skaters were not credited with points.

Denis Mikhnin and Alexandre Grise responded for the Oceanic, while Alexandre Lagace and Jimmy Lemay combined for 31 saves.

NOTES

• The Oceanic got off to a decent start, forcing Booth to make a huge glove save off a partial breakaway just past the four minute mark to keep the challengers off the board. 
• Despite a couple of close misses early, the Sea Dogs did not record their first shot on goal until after the six minute mark.
• At 6:38, Joseph corralled the rebound of a Simon Bourque point shot and calmly wired a wrist shot to the top corner to open the scoring.
• Just over a minute later, Veleno nearly completed a nice wrap around but the rebound found Reginato in close and the winger pulled off a spin-o-rama and snapped the puck just past Lagace's toe.
• Reginato and Veleno were back at it at 10:45 when Reginato intercepted a pass from Lagace behind the goal and fed Veleno in front for a quick snap shot past the Oceanic goalie before he could get fully back into his crease.
• The visitors responded at the 14:00 mark, when Mikhnin deftly knifed a cross ice feed over Booth's shoulder to make the score 3-1.
• Saint John reestablished their three goal lead at 15:25 when Smallman pulled off a between the legs deflection of a Bailey Webster point shot.
• In an attempted to stem the blue tide, the Oceanic called upon Lemay to start the second period in goal.
• At 3:30 of the second, Ward snapped a beautiful cross-ice, backdoor pass from a pinching Thomas Chabot over Lemay's pad.
• Less than a minute later, Smallman unleashed a seeing eye snap shot from the high slot which beat Lemay just inside the far post to stake Saint John to a five goal lead.
• However, the Oceanic bounced back with a shot from Grise which appeared to skip through Booth's legs at 6:40 of the middle frame.
• After Grise`s goal, the Sea Dogs seemed to be content to settle into a more defensive posture and took a 6-2 lead into the third period.
• While skating shorthanded midway through the third - shortly after Webster blocked a shot from Rimouski's 100-point man, Tyler Boland, in the upper body/face - Matthew Highmore stole the puck in the neutral zone, carried it in close on Lemay and snapped a short pass to a streaking Joseph for a tap-in at 11:51.
• At 14:12, Gauthier pulled off an awesome one-man attack into the Rimouski zone, as he skated through five defenders and then tucked a backhand through Lemay's legs - much to the delight of the Sea Dogs faithful.
• Smallman capped the scoring at 17:22 of the final frame, when he tapped in a slick backdoor feed from Nathan Noel - while former Sea Dog agitator Nico Blachman was trying to goad Gauthier into something in the slot.
• With a little over two minutes remaining, referee Thane Arsenault was hit just below his left elbow by a Sea Dog shoot-in and bravely endured obvious pain as blood soaked his sleeve. Play continued without a whistle until the final buzzer sounded.
• From Jan. 9 - when the Sea Dogs first iced their full lineup following the trade period and the World Junior Hockey Championship - until season's end, Saint John has a record of 23-3-2-0. Included in that period was a nine-game win streak and a 14-game undefeated streak. Impressive indeed.
• In other QMJHL news, Steve Ahern - Baie-Comeau's general manager - was fined $2,500 by the the league for derogatory remarks directed at the Charlottetown Islanders. However, the Islanders responded with a 4-2 win in game one of their series on Friday night.

Playoffs Game Day: Game 1 vs Oceanic

The Saint John Sea Dogs (48-14-5-1, 1st Maritimes, 1st QMJHL, 3rd CHL) host the Rimouski Oceanic (26-35-6-1, 6th East, 16th QMJHL) tonight in game one of the QMJHL's President Cup playoffs first round. Game time is 7 p.m. at Harbour Station.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/96.1 NewSong FM/QMJHL Live

Series status: This is the first game of the best-of-seven first round series between the Sea Dogs and Oceanic.

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 2-1 win in Halifax on Saturday. Joe Veleno and Bokondji Imama had goals while Alex D'Orio made 23 saves in the win. The Oceanic are coming off a 2-1 overtime loss in Drummondville on Saturday. Tyler Boland scored Rimouski's lone goal while Alexandre Lagace made 24 stops in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs were 2-0-0-0 against the Oceanic in the regular season while Rimouski went 0-2-0-0 against Saint John.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Oceanic: Forward Nico Blachman and defenceman Vincent Martineau.

Random stat: Rimouski's Tyler Boland, who finished second in league scoring with 103 points, had one goal in two games against Saint John during the regular season.

Five things to watch: Oceanic vs Sea Dogs

Playoff time is here.

Here's five things to watch out for in the Saint John Sea Dogs' first round series against the Rimouski Oceanic, which begins on Friday night at Harbour Station.

1. Will the Oceanic win a game?
This is a wild stat from TVA Sports' Mikael Lalancette:

Est-ce que l'Océanic pourra gagner un match contre les Sea Dogs? La dernière équipe classée en séries a une fiche de 0-32 depuis 2008 #LHJMQ

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MLalancetteTVA) March 21, 2017

While the Oceanic are heavy underdogs, it doesn't feel as lopsided as some of the first round series during Saint John's glory days felt.

2. Welcome back
There will be some familiar faces in the lineup of both teams. The Oceanic's roster former Sea Dogs forward Nico Blachman and defenceman Vincent Martineau - although Martineau has not played with the team since January.

The Sea Dogs feature former Oceanic captain Simon Bourque. The Montreal Canadiens prospect spent his entire QMJHL career in Rimouski before being dealt to Saint John during the holiday trading period.

Luke Green signs with AHL's Moose

Embed from Getty Images

Former Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman Luke Green has signed an amateur tryout agreement with the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose.

Green, a third-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2016 NHL Draft, will not be appearing in the QMJHL playoffs as his Sherbrooke Phoenix failed to qualify. Many junior players who have their seasons end early join the farm teams of their respective NHL clubs this time of year.

The Sea Dogs selected Green first overall in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft and played in two-and-a-half seasons with Saint John. He was traded to Sherbrooke during this season's holiday trading period.

Green's twin bother, Matt, remains with the Sea Dogs.

In 181 career QMJHL games, Green has 21 goals and 87 assists. He's added two goals and four assists in 18 playoff games.

The Moose are currently the fifth worst team in the AHL, which may be a good thing for Green in terms of playing time.

Manitoba also announced today that they've signed UNB Varsity Reds forward and former QMJHLer Francis Beauvillier to an ATO.

Tuesday Notes: Will 2017 be 2011 all over again?

Could New Brunswick sports history repeat itself in 2017?

The UNB Varsity Reds won a national championship on home ice on Sunday. It was just the second time the Varsity Reds had won the University Cup at the Aitken Centre and the first since 2011.

As Saint John Sea Dogs fans will remember, 2011 was a special year down the highway as well, with the Dogs becoming the first team from Atlantic Canada to win the Memorial Cup.

Like 2011, the Sea Dogs will enter the playoffs as one of the top teams in the Canadian Hockey League and the No. 1 seed in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. And like 2011, the Memorial Cup will be played in southern Ontario.

Will the V-Reds and Sea Dogs both win national championships in 2017? It's a possibility.

Saint John's 2016-17 playoff run begins at Harbour Station on Friday night against the Rimouski Oceanic.

Some notes..

• This year's Memorial Cup hosts, the Windsor Spitfires, are in tough to make it out of the first round of the OHL playoffs. Playing in a ridiculously stacked Western Conference, the Spits are forced to play the London Knights in the opening round.
• The Erie Otters became the first team in CHL history to record four straight 50-win seasons. The Sea Dogs were one of the few teams to be tied for the previous record with three.
• Sea Dogs goaltender Callum Booth has been named the QMJHL's second star for the month of March. According to the league's release, "in five games where he was credited with the win in all of them, the Carolina Hurricanes prospect maintained a 1.20 goals against average and 0.946 save percentage, as well as obtaining one shutout."
• In The Hockey News' Future Watch, Thomas Chabot was named one of hockey's top prospects.

Highmore named Sea Dogs' MVP

Matthew Highmore has been named the Saint John Sea Dogs' most valuable player for the 2016-17 season.

Highmore won the honour at the team's annual awards banquet, which was held on Monday night at the Delta Brunswick.

Here is the full list of award winners:

Bell Aliant Most Valuable Player - Matthew Highmore
Pepsi Top Scorer - Matthew Highmore
Sun Life Global Investments Top Defenceman - Thomas Chabot
Children’s Wish Foundation Fans Choice Award - Thomas Chabot
Tim Hortons Most Improved Player - Bokondji Imama
Irving Oil Team Player Award - Cole Reginato
Scotiabank Community Service Award - Spencer Smallman
Alpine Three Stars Award - Mathieu Joseph
Saint John Airport Academic Player of the Year - Callum Booth
Grant Thornton Rookie of the Year - Alex D'Orio

The Sea Dogs begin first round playoff action against the Rimouski Oceanic on Friday night at Harbour Station.

UNB repeats as national champions

FREDERICTON - The UNB Varsity Reds are national champions once again.

The V-Reds repeated at U Sports men's hockey champions with a 5-3 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies this afternoon in the University Cup final.

The Varsity Reds feature four former Saint John Sea Dogs: Mike Thomas, Stephen Anderson, Oliver Cooper and Matt Murphy.

Murphy and Anderson were both in the UNB lineup this afternoon. Thomas took the warm up but was the final scratch. Cooper was scratched as well.

Thomas red-shirted with the Varsity Reds in 2013 when they won the University Cup and was with the team last season when they won nationals in Halifax. Anderson was also with the Reds last season while Murphy and Cooper are both in their first year at UNB.

@SJSeaDogs @SeaDogsAlumni thanks a lot!! pic.twitter.com/nnaM3ZMIeB

— Stephen Anderson (@Anddyy27) March 19, 2017

It's the seventh U Sports title for the Varsity Reds but the first time they have gone back-to-back.

In the bronze medal game, played this morning at 9:30 a.m. (seriously), the StFX X-Men fell 7-3 to their AUS rivals, the Acadia Axemen. The X-Men feature former Dogs forwards Mark Tremaine and Marcus Cuomo.

Sea Dogs alumni play for gold today

FREDERICTON - Several former Saint John Sea Dogs have a shot at U Sports gold today.

The UNB Varsity Reds, who have a roster featuring Mike Thomas, Stephen Anderson, Oliver Cooper and Matt Murphy, will take on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at 1 p.m. in the University Cup final in Fredericton.

The game can be watched live on Sportsnet 360.

The Varsity Reds, ranked No. 1 in U Sports, defeated the Queen's Gaels 5-1 in the quarterfinals and the Acadia Axemen 3-0 in the semifinals. Anderson had a goal in Saturday's semifinal.

Anderson and Murphy will be in the UNB lineup for sure this afternoon. Cooper is unlikely while Thomas is also questionable - especially after receiving a five-minute major and game misconduct for charging yesterday. Thomas has been in-and-out of the UNB lineup this season.

Today's game should be a challenge for UNB. Saskatchewan has been one of the best teams in Canada all season and have yet to allow a goal in this tournament, defeating the York Lions 1-0 and the StFX X-Men 8-0.

The Varsity Reds will be looking for their seventh national championship in program history but have never won titles back-to-back. They can accomplish that feat this year, having won it all in 2016.

This morning's bronze medal game featured the X-Men and Axemen. StFX features former Dogs Mark Tremaine and Marcus Cuomo.

Sea Dogs to play Oceanic in first round

The Saint John Sea Dogs will face the Rimouski Oceanic in the opening round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs.

The Oceanic were slotted into the 16th and final playoff spot yesterday, meaning they will have the pleasure of facing the top-seeded Sea Dogs in the first round.

The league released its full schedule last night. As expected, this will be a 2-2-1-1-1 scheduling format with Saint John hosting the first two games along with games five and seven, if needed.

Single game tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at the usual outlets.

Rimouski finished the regular season with a record of 26-35-6-1 for 59 points. Saint John finished with a 48-14-5-1 record for 102 points.

The Sea Dogs won both of the regular season meetings between the two. Saint John defeated Rimouski 5-1 on the road in November and then blew out the Oceanic, 9-3, in March at Harbour Station.

Some former teammates will go head-to-head in this series. The Sea Dogs feature former Oceanic captain Simon Bourque while Rimouski has former Saint John forward Nico Blachman and defenceman Vincent Martineau.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 2-1

FINAL: Saint John 2, Halifax 1

HALIFAX - Another intentionally shorthanded Saint John Sea Dogs lineup took to the ice on Saturday - but this time they had a much better result.

Joe Veleno and Bokondji Imama both scored in Saint John's 2-1 road victory over the Halifax Mooseheads at Scotiabank Centre.

It was the second straight game that saw the Sea Dogs rest several regulars. The Sea Dogs fell 6-3 in Charlottetown on Friday.

Maxime Fortier gave Halifax a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period. The Sea Dogs tied it on a power play at 6:28 of the second when Veleno scored his 13th of the season.

Less than 30 seconds after Veleno's goal, Imama netted his 41st of the year to give Saint John a 2-1 advantage.

Alex D'Orio made 23 saves in the win. Alexis Gravel made 28 stops in the loss.

The win gives the Sea Dogs a final record of 48-14-5-1. The team clinched first overall on Wednesday, which allowed the Dogs to rest several regulars over the past two games.

Saint John will face the Rimouski Oceanic, the 16th seed, in the opening round.

Game Day 68: at Halifax

The Saint John Sea Dogs (47-14-5-1, 1st Maritimes, 1st QMJHL, 1st CHL) close out their regular season today in Halifax with a 4 p.m. matchup against the Mooseheads (27-34-3-3, 5th Maritimes, 13th QMJHL).

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-3 loss in Charlottetown last night. Bokondji Imama scored twice while Isiah Campbell added a solo marker. Alex D'Orio made 31 saves in the loss. The Mooseheads are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles last night. Arnaud Durandeau and Frederic Aube scored for the Moose. Alexis Gravel made 35 stops in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 5-2-0-0 against the Mooseheads this season while Halifax is 2-5-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: March 11 at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Mooseheads 5-3. Cole Reginato, Thomas Chabot, Samuel Dove-McFalls, Spencer Smallman and Joe Veleno all scored for Saint John. Otto Somppi scored a pair for Halifax while Raphael Lavoie added a single. Alex D'Orio made 27 saves in the win. Alexis Gravel made 21 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Mooseheads: Goaltender Blade Mann-Dixon.

Random stat: Saint John enters play today with the league's best power play (30.3%) and penalty kill (85.3%) - and it will likely end the year in top spot.

RECAP: Sea Dogs lose 6-3

FINAL: Saint John 3, Charlottetown 6

CHARLOTTETOWN - An intentionally shorthanded Saint John Sea Dogs squad suffered a 6-3 loss to the Charlottetown Islanders on Friday at a sold out Eastlink Centre.

The Islanders scored four times and outshot the Sea Dogs 14-4 in the first period, guiding the home side to victory. Saint John had a better showing in the final 40 minutes but could not catch up to Charlottetown on the scoreboard.

Having already clinched first overall in the QMJHL, Saint John opted to sit several of its regular players, giving them some rest before the playoffs.

Charlottetown goals came from Nicolas Meloche, Pascal Aquin, Filip Chlapik, Daniel Sprong, Chris Chaddock and Alex Dostie. Mark Grametbauer made 30 saves in the win.

Saint John had a pair of goals from Bokondji Imama and a solo marker from call up Isiah Campbell. Alex D'Orio made 31 saves in the loss.

Game Day 67: at Charlottetown

The Saint John Sea Dogs (47-13-5-1, 1st Maritimes, 1st QMJHL, 1st CHL) carry an eight-game winning streak into tonight's road game against the Charlottetown Islanders (45-17-4-0, 2nd Maritimes, 4th QMJHL, 7th CHL). Game time is 7 p.m.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-0 win in Moncton on Wednesday night. Spencer Smallman scored twice while singles came from Chase Stewart, Mathieu Joseph and Matthew Highmore. Callum Booth made 27 saves in the shutout win. The Islanders are coming off a 6-5 overtime loss in Halifax on Wednesday. Alex Dostie had a pair of goals with solo markers coming from Filip Chlapik, Kameron Kielly and Francois Beauchemin. Mark Grametbauer made 33 saves in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 6-1-1-0 against the Islanders this season while Charlottetown is 2-6-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: March 10 at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Islanders 5-1. Spencer Smallman had a pair of goals while singles came from Mathieu Joseph, Samuel Dove-McFalls and Julien Gauthier. Alex Dostie scored Charlottetown's lone goal. Callum Booth made 27 saves in the win. Matthew Welsh made 28 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Islanders: Forward Adam Marsh.

Random stat: The Sea Dogs have earned points in 14 straight games (12-0-2-0).

University Cup begins today in Fredericton

Former Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman Matt Murphy has been named to the U Sports all-rookie team.

Murphy, who is in his first year with the UNB Varsity Reds, was named to the team at the U Sports men's hockey awards gala last night in Fredericton.

Congratulations @Mpmurphy22 of @UNBHockey, named to @USPORTSca All-Rookie Team. #IamVRed #UCup pic.twitter.com/rHvwun9Cqn

— UNB Varsity Reds (@VarsityReds) March 16, 2017

Former Rimouski Oceanic forward Anthony DeLuca also made the team. The full list can be found here.

Murphy recorded three goals and 10 assists in 30 games with the Varsity Reds this season. He's also featured prominently in a new UNB commercial.


Murphy is one of six former Sea Dogs who will compete for the University Cup this week in Fredericton. Along with Murphy, the Varsity Reds feature Mike Thomas, Stephen Anderson and Oliver Cooper. UNB, seeded fifth after losing the Atlantic University Sport championship to the StFX X-Men, play their first game tonight at 8 p.m. against the Queen's Gaels.

The other ex-Dogs playing in the tournament are StFX forwards Mark Tremaine and Marcus Cuomo. The X-Men begin play tomorrow night against the McGill Redmen.

The semifinals take place on Saturday with the bronze and gold medal games set for Sunday.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 5-0

FINAL: Saint John 5, Moncton 0

MONCTON - The Saint John Sea Dogs are regular season champions once again.

The Sea Dogs clinched the QMJHL's regular season title for the fourth time in franchise history on Wednesday night in Moncton, defeating the Wildcats 5-0.

Not only does the victory give the Sea Dogs home ice advantage throughout the playoffs, it also gives the team 100 points for the fourth time and the Maritimes Division title for a second consecutive season.

Spencer Smallman scored twice in Saint John's eighth straight victory while Mathieu Joseph, Chase Stewart and Matthew Highmore added singles. Callum Booth made 17 saves to earn the shutout.

Matthew Waite had a solid performance in the Wildcats' net, keeping Moncton in it for much of the game. He made 42 stops in the loss.

To the notes...

• Saint John opened the scoring just 45 seconds in when Joseph deflected a shot past Waite, making it 1-0.
• Despite scoring just once, the Sea Dogs were dominant in the opening frame, outshooting the Wildcats 17-4.
• The Sea Dogs continued to pour the pressure on in the second period but had a difficult time beating Waite.
• Finally, at 13:16, Stewart fired a shot from the blue line that beat an out-of-position and/or distracted Waite, giving Saint John a 2-0 advantage.
• Smallman made it 3-0 Saint John at 17:41, finishing off a shorthanded two-on-one with Jakub Zboril. 
• Saint John scored again midway through the third, on a goal from Cole Reginato, but the goal was called off due to the play being offside. 
• The Sea Dogs officially made it 4-0 at 13:57 of the third on a five-on-three advantage. Joseph showed great patience in front, forcing Waite to go down before sending the puck over to Highmore for an open net goal.
• Kyle Ward was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for charging at 17:24. On the ensuing penalty kill, Smallman scored his second shorthanded goal of the game at 18:11, making it a 5-0 final.
• With an assist on Saint John's first goal, Thomas Chabot became the Sea Dogs' franchise leader in defencemen scoring.
• Stewart's goal was his third of the season.
• Smallman extended his point streak to eight games. He now has 30 goals on the season.
• Saint John scored their league leading 19th and 20th shorthanded goals of the season.
• Julien Gauthier returned to the Saint John lineup after missing Saturday's game with an injury.

Game Day 66: at Moncton

The Saint John Sea Dogs (46-13-5-1, 1st Maritimes, 1st QMJHL, 1st CHL) are in Moncton tonight to face the Wildcats (14-48-2-1, 6th Maritimes, 18th QMJHL) for the final time this season.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/96.1 NewSong/QMJHL Live

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-3 home win over the Halifax Mooseheads on Saturday at Harbour Station. Cole Reginato, Thomas Chabot, Samuel Dove-McFalls, Spencer Smallman and Joe Veleno all scored for Saint John. Alex D'Orio made 27 saves in the victory. The Wildcats are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in Sydney on Saturday. Julien Tessier and Anthony Wojcik scored for Moncton. Matthew Waite made 38 saves in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 6-1-0-1 against the Wildcats this season while Moncton is 2-6-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Jan. 28 in Moncton where the Sea Dogs defeated the Wildcats 5-2. Bokondji Imama had two goals for the Dogs while singles came from Matt Green, Kyle Ward and Matthew Highmore. Charles Taillon and Jeremy McKenna scored for the 'Cats. Callum Booth made 18 saves in the win. Matthew Waite made 47 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Wildcats: Forward Julien Tessier.

Random stat: Samuel Dove-McFalls carries a four-game goal scoring streak into tonight's game. Over his past 12 games, Dove-McFalls has five goals and nine assists.

Alumdate: Sea Dogs in the show

Embed from Getty Images

Two games into his NHL career, Chris DiDomenico is still in search of his first point.

DiDomenico, who left his team in Switzerland to sign with the Ottawa Senators recently, made his NHL debut on March 9 in Arizona. The former Sea Dogs star found the scoresheet in an unfortunate way, picking up two minor penalties in 6:55 of ice time.

The 28-year-old also played in the Senators' March 11 game in Colorado, picking up another minor penalty in 9:15 of ice time.

It'll be interesting to see how much DiDomenico is used down the stretch with the Senators battling for playoff positioning.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Huberdeau has been a welcomed addition to the Florida Panthers lineup, recording five goals and eight assists in 16 games. He missed the entire first half with an injury. The Panthers aren't out of the playoff picture just yet, but they will need some things to go their way if they want to make it in.

Nathan Beaulieu will be a healthy scratch tonight when the Montreal Canadiens take on Tomas Jurco's Chicago Blackhawks.

Beaulieu a healthy scratch is the big news this morning. Davidson in.

— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) March 14, 2017

Jurco, who was recently traded to the Blackhawks by the Detroit Red Wings, has been held pointless in six games with Chicago.

Monday Notes: Imama, Gauthier had similar breakout seasons

Bokondji Imama could become just the fifth Saint John Sea Dog to score 40 goals in a regular season.

With three games remaining on the schedule, Imama has 38 goals. You'd have to think he has a decent shot at reaching the 40-goal mark with two of the team's remaining three matches against the struggling Moncton Wildcats and Halifax Mooseheads.

The last player to score 40 or more goals for the Sea Dogs was Danick Gauthier in 2011-12. His 47 goals that year remains a team record.

Gauthier and Imama have a lot in common. After spending most of their junior careers as grinders and energy line type guys, both had breakout offensive seasons in their overage year.

Here's Gauthier's career numbers:

And Imama's:

Gauthier entered his 20-year-old season with 29 career QMJHL goals. Imama had 30.

Oddly, Imama is a Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick while Gauthier was signed by the Lightning as a free agent during the 2011-12 campaign.

Aces, Dogs prospects heading to playoffs

The St. Stephen Aces are heading to the Maritime Hockey League playoffs for the first time in team history.

The Aces' spot in the post-season was confirmed this afternoon with the Summerside Western Capitals defeating the Woodstock Slammers. The Woodstock loss allowed the Aces to stay two points ahead and finish the regular season fourth in the Eastlink North Division.

St. Stephen kept their playoff hopes alive with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over the Dieppe Commandos on on Saturday. The game-winning goal was setup by Saint John Sea Dogs prospect Alex Lafreniere.


The Aces finished the regular season with a record of 16-25-6-3 and will now face the Miramichi Timberwolves (35-12-2-1) in the opening round of the playoffs.

Along with Lafreniere, the Aces feature Ben Reid (seventh round pick, 2015) and Matthew O'Leary (12th round, 2015).

Sea Dogs' attendance rises significantly

Back-to-back sellout crowds pushed the Saint John Sea Dogs' average attendance to just over 4,200 fans per game this season.

Saint John's average of 4,201 fans per game was good for third best in the league this year, trailing only Quebec (9,289 with two home games left) and Halifax (6,682 with three home games left). It's just the second time the Sea Dogs have reached the top three in league attendance - mostly thanks to the Moncton Wildcats having one of their worst seasons in history.

More impressive than the final average is how much Saint John's attendance increased compared to last year. The Sea Dogs saw an increase of 572 fans per game on average, which is a significant jump in junior hockey. It's the biggest increase in team history.

Here's a look at Saint John's attendance through the years.

Season	Total	Average
2005-06	156,694	4,477 (4th)
2006-07	134,354	3,839 (6th)
2007-08	139,214	3,978 (5th)
2008-09	133,613	3,930 (5th)
2009-10	140,779	4,141 (4th)
2010-11	152,237	4,478 (4th)
2011-12	155,060	4,561 (3rd)
2012-13	135,732	3,992 (4th)
2013-14	116,380	3,423 (5th)
2014-15	121,782	3,582 (5th)
2015-16	123,399	3,629 (4th)
2016-17	142,829	4,201 (3rd)

This year's average was the highest since 2011-12 when a franchise record 4,561 fans per game watched the Sea Dogs win their third consecutive regular season title.

With a week left in the regular season, the league average is 3,105 fans per game - which should rise given most teams have large crowds for their final few home games. The league average last season was 3,404.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats are having one of their worst seasons ever at the gate - although it will likely be offset by a big increase when their new building opens in 2018-19. In happier news, the Acadie-Bathurst Titan had their best total attendance since 2007-08.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 5-3

FINAL: Halifax 3, Saint John 5

Kevin Chambers | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs closed our their regular season home schedule on Saturday night, defeating the Halifax Mooseheads 5-3.

Goal scorers for the Sea Dogs were Cole Reginato, Thomas Chabot, Samuel Dove-McFalls, Spencer Smallman and Joe Veleno. Alex D’Orio picked up the win for the Sea Dogs, stopping 27 shots.

Answering for the Mooseheads were Otto Somppi (two) and Raphael Lavoie. Alexis Gravel took the loss for the Mooseheads, managing to stop 21 shots.

To the notes…

• The Mooseheads got on the scoreboard first at 9:10 of the opening frame when Otto Somppi lifted a shot in tight up and over starter D’Orio.
• Reginato would even things at a goal apiece, tapping home a feed from Dove-McFalls through the five hole of Gravel at 16:16.
• Somppi would get his second of the period at 18:13. The Mooseheads skated in on a two-on-one play and Somppi finished it off by firing a wrist shot by D’Orio.
• Next it was time for the Thomas Chabot show as he provided another one of his highlight reel coast-to-coast skates before beating Gravel up high at 9:02 of the second, tying the game 2-2.
• The Sea Dogs didn’t keep fans waiting long for the go ahead goal as Dove-McFalls jumped on a loose puck and fired it past Gravel at 9:20 to make it 3-2 Dogs.
• Smallman would continue the Sea Dogs' push at 11:48, finishing off a two-on-ome rush after taking a feed from Veleno.
• Veleno put the polish on an excellent second period by the Sea Dogs, tipping home a Simon Bourque point shot and extending the lead to 5-2 at 18:02.
• Lavoie was credited with a goal that was deflected in front of D’Orio to close the gap to 5-3 at 9:20 of the third period. That would be as close as the Moose would get.
• The Sea Dogs held a pre-game ceremony to recognize their three overage players: Spencer Smallman, Matthew Highmore and Bokondji Imama. Each player had a brief video tribute, received jerseys from their parents and had a standing ovation from the crowd.
• Oliver Felixson was given a standing ovation when it was announced that today was his 19th birthday.
• This marked the first time this season that Chabot has faced the Mooseheads.

Game Day 65: vs Mooseheads

After recording one of their biggest wins of the season last night, the Saint John Sea Dogs (45-13-5-1, 1st Maritimes, 1st QMJHL, 1st CHL)  are back at it today, hosting the Halifax Mooseheads (26-33-2-3, 5th Maritimes, 15th QMJHL) at 7 p.m.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-1 win over the Charlottetown Islanders last night at Harbour Station. Spencer Smallman scored twice while singles came from Mathieu Joseph, Samuel Dove-McFalls and Julien Gauthier. Callum Booth made 27 saves in the win. The Mooseheads are coming off a 3-1 loss in Bathurst last night. Raphael Lavoie scored Halifax's lone goal while Alexis Gravel made 38 saves in the loss.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 4-2-0-0 against the Mooseheads this season while Halifax is 2-4-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: March 1 at Harbour Station where the Sea Dogs defeated the Mooseheads 4-2. Matthew Highmore, Julien Guathier, Spencer Smallman and Bokondji Imama all scored for Saint John. Jared McIsaac and Keigan Goetz scored for Halifax. Alex D'Orio made 27 saves in the win. Alexis Gravel made 22 stops in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Mooseheads: Goaltender Blade Mann-Dixon.

Random stat:

#QMJHL #LHJMQ CHA/SNB:  @SJSeaDogs Spencer Smallman with a double, 27 points in last 16 games.  51.9% of goals this year are PP goals.

— Geoffrey Brandow (@GeoffreyBrandow) March 11, 2017

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 5-1

FINAL: Charlottetown 1, Saint John 5

Lorne Webster | SN Staff

SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Sea Dogs issued a clear statement during a convincing 5-1 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders - in front of a sold out crowd of 6,187 - at Harbour Station Friday evening.

The playoff like atmosphere was enhanced by four bus loads of Islanders fans, who witnessed the Sea Dogs stretch their lead ahead of Charlottetown, atop the QMJHL, to five points. Four games remain in the regular season for both clubs.

The buzz leading up to this game was electric with several pundits giving the edge to the Islanders in light of several recent offensive explosions. However, the Sea Dogs proved the mettle as they rallied together - following sad news about teammate Oliver Felixson's pending battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma - to win one for Ollie.

Callum Booth was outstanding in goal for Saint John with 27 - often highlight reel - saves. Mathieu Joseph led the Sea Dogs offence with one goal and three assists. Meanwhile, captain Spencer Smallman added two goals, Julien Gauthier had a goal and an assist, Samuel Dove-McFalls added a goal and Simon Bourque chipped in two assists.

Alex Dostie replied for Charlottetown. Matthew Welsh stopped 28 shots in the loss.

NOTES

• As an omen of what lie ahead, Bokondji Imama ripped a shot off Welsh's mask in the opening seconds of the game but the puck deflected barely over the cross bar.
• The Sea Dogs would open the scoring at 3:24 when Joseph deposited the rebound of a Thomas Chabot bomb past Welsh.
• Exactly four minutes later, while skating shorthanded, Joseph and Dove-McFalls picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and then played two man tic-tac-toe with Dove-McFalls, snapping the puck past Welsh to put the hosts up 2-0.
• That goal was the Sea Dogs league leading 18th short handed marker this season.
• Late in the first, Imama accepted an invitation to dance from towering Islanders defenceman Tyler MacArthur and scored a TKO with a flurry of blows ending with an uppercut that buckled MacArthur's knees.
• The officials took over in period two with six power plays (four for Charlottetown and two favouring Saint John) - yet no goals were scored in the middle frame.
• However, the referees still managed to draw the ire of the Sea Dogs staff and fans alike as several late hits, open ice tackles and, most notably, at least three cheap shots against Booth went uncalled.
• Not only was Joseph on fire offensively but he made the defensive play of the game late in the second when he stick checked Daniel Sprong just as the Islander superstar was about to shoot at an open net behind a fallen Booth.
• The Islanders bad behaviour caught up with them in the third as Saint John scored three power plays goals to seal the win.
• First up was Smallman at 2:43, when the captain received a pass from Matthew Highmore in the high slot and unloaded a heavy snap shot which beat Welsh short side.
• Dostie electrified the Islanders fans in attendance at 9:08 when he accepted a lead pass - from Saint John native William Bower - in full flight, split the Sea Dogs defence and fired a laser over Booth's glove to bring Charlottetown back to within two.
• A pair of high sticking penalties by the Islanders late in the third proved costly. While skating five-on-three at 13:43, Gauthier took a back door feed from Joseph near the goal line and calmly sent a laser into the top shelf. 
• Just under a minute later - at 14:21 - Smallman collected the rebound off a Gauthier shot near the edge of the crease and snapped it behind Welsh to make the final 5-1.
• The sibling rivalry between brothers Mathieu and Pierre-Olivier Joseph boiled over in the dying minutes when they were sent to their rooms after rough housing deep the Islanders zone. It's likely that Mama Joseph will send them to bed without a bed night snack as added punishment.
• The Sea Dogs team defence is to be commended for their strong effort once again in preventing Sprong from earning a point against Saint John thus far this season.
• Sprong entered Friday's contest with 12 points in his previous three games (and 50 points in 26 games prior to Friday), including four goals and three assists in his last game against Moncton.

Game Day 64: vs Islanders

One of the biggest games of the season takes place tonight at Harbour Station as the Saint John Sea Dogs (44-13-5-1, 1st Maritimes, 1st QMJHL, 1st CHL) host the Charlottetown Islanders (44-16-3-0, 2nd Maritimes, 4th QMJHL, 6th CHL) tonight at 7 p.m.

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

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-1 home win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Tuesday. Spencer Smallman, Samuel Dove-McFalls and Simon Bourque scored for Saint John. Callum Booth made 24 saves in the victory. The Islanders are coming off a 12-3 beating of the Moncton Wildcats on Wednesday at Eastlink Centre. Daniel Sprong had four goals, Francois Beauchemin three and Alex Dostie two. Singles came from Keith Getson, Guillaume Brisebois and Chris Chaddock. Mark Grametbauer made 27 saves in the victory.

2016-17 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 5-1-1-0 against the Islanders this season while Charlottetown is 2-5-0-0 against Saint John.

Last meeting: Feb. 14 at Eastlink Centre where the Sea Dogs edged the Islanders 2-1. Thomas Chabot and Nathan Noel had Saint John goals. Tyler MacArthur scored for Charlottetown. Callum Booth made 28 saves in the win. Mark Grametbauer made 22 saves in the loss.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Islanders: Forward Adam Marsh.

Random stat: Daniel Sprong has really been living up to the hype of late. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect is coming off a seven-point game on Wednesday to give him 30 goals and 20 assists in just 26 games. He has been held pointless in two games against Saint John this year, though.

DiDomenico expected to make NHL debut tonight

Chris DiDomenico is expected to make his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators tonight.

The 28-year-old hasn't played in North America since the 2011-12 season where he split the year in the American and East Coast hockey leagues.

It's been a long road for DiDomenico, who was drafted into the NHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth-round of the 2007 draft.

Senators head coach Guy Boucher told the Ottawa Citizen that he expects the former Saint John Sea Dogs forward to be, obviously, a bit nervous in his debut.

The Sens are in Arizona to face the Coyotes at 10 p.m. Atlantic. The game can be seen on TSN5.

1/2 #Sens HC Guy Boucher has informed media that @Condibear1 will start and @didomenico61 will make his @NHL debut tonight @ArizonaCoyotes.

— Sens communications (@Media_Sens) March 9, 2017

When DiDomenico broke his femur in jr, was in a wheelchair for 3 mos some drs said he'd never play again. first NHL gm tonight. Bravo!

— Dean Brown (@PxPOttawa) March 9, 2017

Puck Daddy also has a nice story.

DiDomenico joined the Sea Dogs as a free agent in 2006. He became one of the team's first stars, playing with the club up until the 2009 world juniors where he was then traded to Drummondville - in a deal that  later involved current Senators forward Mike Hoffman.

In 203 career QMJHL games, DiDomenico registered 90 goals and 251 points.

DiDomenico signed a one-way deal with the Senators for this season on Feb. 27.

The Woodbridge, ON native has spent the past five seasons overseas, playing with the SCL Tigers for the past three. This season, DiDomenico has 10 goals and 28 assists in 48 games.

Felixson diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma

Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman Oliver Felixson has been diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, the team announced at a press conference this morning.

Felixson will, obviously, "be out of the lineup indefinitely while seeking treatment" for the cancer.

“As I’m sure you can imagine, this news came as a complete shock to me and to my family,” Felixson said, in a statement. “The past few days have been difficult, but they have been made easier by the presence of my parents, who flew over from Finland when we received my diagnosis. I am also thankful to have the full support of the entire Sea Dogs organization, my billets, teammates, coaches and staff.”

“This news has affected everyone in the organization,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie added in a press release. “Oliver is our friend and teammate, and a member of our family. We are all with him as he meets this challenge.”

Felixson, an 18-year-old from Finland, has two goals and seven assists in his second season with Saint John.

Sea Dogs equipment manager David Kelly, who recently returned to his spot behind the team's bench after battling thyroid cancer, also spoke at the press conference.

"The main thing I told him is you're not alone" cancer survivor @SeaDogsDK on Oliver Felixson's cancer diagnosis.

— Sunaya Sapurji (@sunayas) March 9, 2017

David "DK" Kelly, the team's equipment manager who has been battling cancer is acting as a bit of a "mentor" for Felixson. pic.twitter.com/CaBl9WxWW2

— Matthew Bingley (@mattybing) March 9, 2017

Teams, fans, players and staff have all taken to social media to share their support for Felixson.

Oliver Felixson of the #QMJHL @SJSeaDogs has Hodgkins lymphoma. https://t.co/tRpfRQUwKM

— Moments Canada (@CanadaMoments) March 9, 2017

StFX wins AUS title

The StFX X-Men are Atlantic University Sport men's hockey champions once again.

The X-Men completed a sweep of the UNB Varsity on Wednesday night in Antigonish, erasing a 3-1 deficit to earn a 5-4 win. StFX won the best-of-three AUS final 2-0.

It's the second straight AUS title for the X-Men, who also beat UNB in last year's final. The Varsity Reds then went on to defeat the X-Men in the national championship game played in Halifax.

StFX features former Sea Dogs forwards Mark Tremaine and Marcus Cuomo. 

Both UNB and StFX had already earned spots in next week's University Cup. The Acadia Axemen will be the third AUS team heading to nationals following a sweep of the Saint Mary's Huskies in the consolation final.

Along with Cuomo and Tremaine, former Dogs Stephen Anderson, Mike Thomas, Oliver Cooper and Matt Murphy of the Varsity Reds will play for a national championship next week.

Two more former Sea Dogs - Justice Dundas and Steven Anthony - could be playing in the tournament if the Windsor Lancers are able to defeat the McGill Redmen in the OUA's bronze medal game on Friday.

Meanwhile, former Sea Dogs goaltender Sebastien Auger of UQTR has been named a second team OUA East All-Star.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

Wednesday Notes: Sea Dogs still committed to 2019 Memorial Cup bid

The Saint John Sea Dogs remain committed to a 2019 Memorial Cup bid.

“We will certainly try for it. It is one of our ownership and my team’s goals to host the Memorial Cup in Saint John. I don’t see that changing,” Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie told the website Huddle. “We intend to put in a bid."

Georgie added that hosting this year's QMJHL Entry Draft is a good start, allowing the team to see what they can pull off.

The Sea Dogs have been saying for years that they hope to host the Memorial Cup in either 2018 or 2019. 2018 is not an option with the CHL choosing the break the rotation and award the 100th Memorial Cup tournament to the Regina Pats.

Many wondered if the Sea Dogs were still committed to hosting in 2019 due to the team's current cycle. It's not impossible for Saint John to have a quality team in two years time, but it will not be a simple task.

The Sea Dogs are, clearly, set up to win this season. The team won't have time to tear it all down and build through the draft for 2019, so the Dogs will need to get a bit creative if they want to be amongst the nation's best that year. Not impossible, but it's no easy task.

The Halifax Mooseheads and Moncton Wildcats have also expressed interest in hosting the 2019 tournament.

Some other news and notes...

• The Sea Dogs will hold a press conference tomorrow to update the health of defenceman Oliver Felixson.
• Charlottetown and Moncton will host the QMJHL legs of the 2017 Canada-Russia Series.
• Jakub Zboril has shown a lot of improvement this season, The Q News explains.
• If the Charlottetown Islanders defeat the Moncton Wildcats tonight (and they very likely will), the Isles will enter Friday's game at Harbour Station three points back of the Sea Dogs for first overall. Huge game.
• Four Islanders fan buses are making the trip to Friday's game.
• Saint John's final two home games of the regular season are this weekend: Friday against Charlottetown and Saturday against Halifax.
• The Sea Dogs will hold their annual awards banquet on March 20.

RECAP: Sea Dogs win 3-1

FINAL: Bathurst 1, Saint John 3

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs had the last laugh in their regular season series with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

Spencer Smallman, Samuel Dove-McFalls and Simon Bourque scored in Saint John's 3-1 victory over the Titan on Tuesday at Harbour Station. It was the finale of a back-and-forth, exciting and sometimes odd season series between the two.

With Tuesday's victory, Saint John will finish the regular season with a 4-4-1-0 record against Bathurst.

Callum Booth had a strong night in the Sea Dogs net, making 24 saves in the win.

Vladimir Kuznetsov scored for the Titan. Anthony Dumont-Bouchard made 38 saves in the loss.

To the notes...

• Saint John opened the scoring at 8:51 of the first. Noel was in the corner and made a great feed to an open Smallman in front.
• Booth was terrific in net in the opening frame, making a few big stops.
• The Titan tied it at 1-1 at 2:17 of the second. Christophe Boivin threw it towards the net and Kuznetsov finished it off, tying the match.
• Saint John took a 2-1 lead at 12:46. The puck came hard off the back boards and went to Dove-McFalls along the goal line. The Saint John forward threw the puck on net where it was pushed in by a sliding Luc Deschenes.
• On a power play at 19:08, Dove-McFalls was along the back boards and found a wide open Bourque in front of the net. The Dogs defenceman beat Dumont-Bouchard with a quick wrist shot, making it 3-1 Saint John.
• Dove-McFalls scored late in the third period but the goal was called off due to a whistle or intent to whistle or something.
• Nathan Noel now has points in eight of his past nine games.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Dawson Theede had five hits in the first period.
• Sea Dogs forward Matt Green returned from an injury.
• According to HockeyFights.com, Bokondji Imama's second period fight against Deschenes was just his fourth tilt of the season. Two have been against Bathurst while the other two have been against Cape Breton.
• Solid Tuesday night crowd of 4,360.
• This was Bathurst's first regulation time loss in 10 games. Meanwhile, Saint John has not lost in regulation time in 11 straight games.