A lot on the line in next two games

Vincent Ethier/CHL

SAINT JOHN - The first four games of the round-robin portion of the 2022 Memorial Cup have been excellent. The final two matches could be even better.

Friday's 7 p.m. game between the Hamilton Bulldogs and Edmonton Oil Kings and Saturday's 5 p.m. contest between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Shawinigan Cataractes both have a lot on the line.

The Bulldogs, off to an 0-2 start following Thursday's loss to Shawinigan, must win in regulation time just to stay alive in the tournament.

Both Saint John and Shawinigan have already guaranteed themselves at least a spot in the semifinal. Saturday's contest will determine who gets the bye to Wednesday's championship game. Saint John must win in regulation time Saturday in order to receive the bye.

The stakes:
- Hamilton advances to the semi w/ a regulation win
- Edmonton advances to the semi w/ one point
- Saint John and Shawinigan will both advance
- Saint John advances directly to final w/ regulation win
- Shawinigan advances directly to final w/ one point

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) June 24, 2022

This, of course, brings up the fun question: will Hamilton and/or Saint John pull their goaltender if the game is tied late in the third?

Here's what the standings look like Friday morning. Reminder: teams earn three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime win and one point for an overtime loss.

The Sea Dogs won the bye to the championship game in 2011 and went on to defeat Mississauga in the final. Saint John lost in the semifinals in 2012 (Shawinigan) and 2017 (Erie).

Saint John was 2-0-0-0 against Shawinigan in the regular season but both of those wins came in November. Both squads look different now.

The Cataractes have now won five straight Memorial Cup games dating back to 2012.

The semifinal takes place on Monday and the final on Wednesday.