Tough Quebec road trip awaits Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

BAIE-COMEAU, Que. - For the first time since Feb. 1, 2020, the Saint John Sea Dogs will play a game in the province of Quebec.

Brady Burns scored in overtime in that Feb. 1 game to give the Sea Dogs a 4-3 victory over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar at the Henry Leonard Centre. Due to the pandemic, the Dogs have not left the Maritimes since - until this week.

The Sea Dogs begin a three-in-three Quebec road trip on Thursday in Quebec City. They then travel to Shawinigan for a Friday night matchup with the Cataractes and then take on the Voltigeurs in Drummondville on Saturday afternoon.

Quebec trips are never easy - but this one looks to be particularly difficult. As of Wednesday evening, the Cataractes (first overall in the QMJHL), Remparts (second) and Voltigeurs (seventh) all sit in the upper half of the league's standings.

Here's a quick breakdown of Saint John's upcoming road trip.

Thursday at Quebec - 8 p.m. (93 CFBC/CHL TV)

The game: The Remparts came flying out of the gate and currently own a 9-3-0-0 record for 18 points. They've lost two straight games heading into Thursday's matchup. The Sea Dogs will want to get this road trip off to a strong start while also sending a message that they can hang with the Remparts.

Storylines: This is the first of two meetings between the Sea Dogs and Remparts this season. The two clubs bid to host the Memorial Cup, meaning they'll be compared all season long. The Remparts have gotten off to a much better start and this game could tell a lot about where exactly the Sea Dogs are at on the measuring stick.

Remparts to watch: Theo Rochette, Zachary Bolduc, Nathan Gaucher and Evan Nause

Friday at Shawinigan - 8:30 p.m. (93 CFBC/CHL TV)

The game: The Cataractes have won seven straight games and have moved into first overall in the QMJHL standings. They've yet to lose on home ice in regulation this season (4-0-0-1). As we've witnessed over the past decade, Sea Dogs games in Shawinigan are always an adventure.

Storylines: Shawinigan be without their captain, Mavrik Bourque, due to injury. They're still a deep team but Bourque is a big loss. The door is open for the Sea Dogs to take advantage of that - not only in this game but again next Friday at TD Station when these two meet again.

Cataractes to watch: Xavier Bourgault and Olivier Nadeau

Saturday at Drummondville - 4 p.m. (CBC/93 CFBC/CBC GEM/CHL TV)

The game: The Voltigeurs are a respectable 6-4-2-0 overall this season but are an impressive 5-1-1-0 at home. This will be the final game of Saint John's road trip and second game in less than 24 hours. Fortunately for the Sea Dogs, the Volts are away in Boisbriand on Friday, so both teams may run low on fuel at times - but having a national television audience should help.

Storylines: This will be Saint John's first national television appearance of the season. While most eyes will be on the Memorial Cup hosts, 16-year-old Tyler Peddle should get plenty of attention as well. Peddle sits second in rookie scoring with 10 points in 12 games. This will also be Simon Hughes' first game against his old club while William Dufour makes his return to Drummondville.

Voltigeurs to watch: Luke Woodworth, Tyler Peddle and Simon Hughes