Big tests ahead for Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - A couple major tests await the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs are on a serious roll right now, winning four straight games while outscoring opponents 32-7. The team has looked impressive of late - but now it's time to show that they can perform this way against the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's top contenders.

Saint John will face two of the league's best teams over a three-day span, hosting the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Wednesday before travelling to Charlottetown to play the Islanders on Friday.

The Titan currently sit third in the Maritimes Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 24-13-2-2 record 52 points. They are a couple points behind Saint John but have played three fewer games.

The Sea Dogs are 2-2-1-1 against the Titan this season. The two have faced each other just once in the second half and that game saw the Titan earn a 3-2 overtime win at the KC Irving Regional Centre. Saint John's offense was struggling at the time of that loss but has found its form recently. 

Working in Saint John's favour Wednesday is the schedule. Both clubs played on Sunday - but the Sea Dogs were at home and the Titan were all the way in Val-d'Or, where they fell 6-2 to the Foreurs.

The Sea Dogs have struggled against the Islanders this season, dropping four of the five meetings. Friday's contest will be the first time they've faced each other since Dec. 11 at TD Station. Both clubs made some major additions during the holiday trade period.

Charlottetown entered action Tuesday with a 30-8-3-0 record for 63 points. They have the best winning percentage in the QMJHL.

Saint John is just 2-11-1-2 at Eastlink Centre over the past five years. One of those wins came earlier this season.

The Islanders are one of, if not the favourite to win the President Cup right now. While it may be a long shot for the Sea Dogs to catch the Islanders in the standings at this point, a win Friday would be a major statement and confidence boost.

Following Friday's game, the Sea Dogs will travel to Moncton to face the Wildcats on Saturday night.