Thursday, May 11, 2017

NOTES: Sea Dogs dominant on defence

We all knew heading into the President Cup Final the Saint John Sea Dogs were dominant on defence and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada were not built on offence. But even knowing that, this stat Sportsnet showed following last night's game is really something.
Three of the Armada's four goals in the series came in Game 1. The other was in last night's Game 4.

Saint John simply shutdown the Armada's offence, which, although certainly not as high powered as the Sea Dogs', had been decent in the playoffs up until this point.

Blainville-Boisbriand scored just one power play goal in the entire series, finishing 1/16. Alex Barre-Boulet, who entered the final as the league's leading scorer, recorded just two points (both assists) while Pierre-Luc Dubois had just one goal (which came last night).

Best D core ever?
We'll wait and see how the Memorial Cup goes, but there is certainly an argument to be made that this is the best defence core the Sea Dogs have ever had.

Saint John allowed just 31 goals in 18 games this post-season for an average of 1.67. They allowed 21.79 shots against per game.

In 2011, the team allowed 39 goals in 19 games while giving up an average of 25.53 shots against per game. In 2012, the Dogs allowed 39 goals in 17 games and allowed an average of 26.11 shots against.

Never in doubt
This is perhaps the stat that best shows the Sea Dogs' dominance this post-season.
The Sea Dogs did not trail for a single second in the league final.

Points leader
With an impressive four assists last night, Mathieu Joseph finished atop the league's playoff scoring leaderboard with 32 points. Joseph also finished with a league high 19 assists.

Stanislav Galiev and Charlie Coyle hold the Sea Dogs team record for points in a post-season with 34 (both in 2012).

'Canes everywhere
The future is looking decent for the Carolina Hurricanes.
TV time
The broadcast conditions for the Sea Dogs' 2011 and 2012 President Cup victories were not ideal, making last night's Sportsnet broadcast a pleasant treat. High definition, baby!

Shout out to Sam Cosentino's keys to the game as well.

Now what?
The Memorial Cup schedule will be the same as the Sea Dogs' 2011 trip to Mississauga.

They'll play the host team, the Windsor Spitfires, in the tournament opener on Friday, May 19. The Sea Dogs will then have two days off before playing the OHL champion on Monday, May 22 followed by the WHL champion on Tuesday, May 23.

The Erie Otters currently lead the Mississauga Steelheads 3-1 in the OHL final. The WHL final between the Regina Pats and Seattle Thunderbirds is tied 2-2.

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