First round hasn't been easiest for hosts

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

BRUNSWICK, ME - Should we have seen the struggles coming for the Saint John Sea Dogs in their playoff opener? History tells us... maybe?

As brought up on the Wildcast Podcast last week (you should listen to that!), the first round hasn't been the easiest for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey's League's Memorial Cup hosting teams in recent years. The past two host teams - the Halifax Mooseheads in 2019 and the Quebec Remparts in 2015 - needed seven games to win their first round series. Both clubs also dropped their playoff opener.

Here's a quick breakdown of how Memorial Cup hosting teams from the QMJHL have performed in the first round since 2000.

2019: The host Halifax Mooseheads (49-15-2-2) needed seven games to defeat the Quebec Remparts (27-28-7-6) in the first round. The Remparts won the first two games of that series. The Mooseheads went on to lose in the President Cup final to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

2015: The host Quebec Remparts (40-25-1-2) needed seven games to defeat the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (31-31-3-3) in the first round. The Screaming Eagles won the first game of that series. The Remparts went on to lose in the President Cup final to the Rimouski Oceanic.

2012: The host Shawinigan Cataractes (45-16-3-4) swept their first round series against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (24-36-4-4). The Cataractes were eliminated in the second round by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.

2009: The host Rimouski Oceanic (44-23-1-0) swept their first round playoff series against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens (24-32-4-8). The Oceanic were eliminated in the President Cup semifinals by the eventual champion Drummondville Voltigeurs.

2006: The host Moncton Wildcats (52-15-0-0) needed five games to defeat the Victoriaville Tigres (26-42-1-0) in the first round. The Tigres won the first game of that series. The Wildcats went on to win the President Cup.

2003: The host Quebec Remparts (42-24-3-3) needed six games to defeat the Moncton Wildcats (37-20-5-10) in the first round. The Remparts did win the first game of that series. The Remparts were eliminated in the second round by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

2000: The host Halifax Mooseheads (41-20-5-6) needed six games to defeat the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (32-30-5-5). The Mooseheads won the first three games of that series. The Mooseheads were swept in the second round by the eventual champion Rimouski Oceanic.

It's also worth noting that a Memorial Cup host team has not won their league championship since the OHL's Kitchener Rangers way back in 2008.