Big game in Baie-Comeau

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Going into the season, not many people had this Wednesday night game in Baie-Comeau circled.

But here we are in early December and this suddenly feels like the biggest game of the season for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs have lost six straight games and seven of their past 10. They sit 17th overall in the 18-team QMJHL, placing them outside the league's playoff picture. They made a change in their hockey operations on Monday, allowing head coach Travis Crickard to put all of his attention into improving the on-ice product. 

There is definitely some panic here. But as the schedule makers fate would have it, the Sea Dogs have been granted a golden opportunity to start turning things around. The Drakkar are the lone team that sit below the Sea Dogs in the standings (seven points below them, in fact) and are just 2-10-0-1 on home ice this season.

Saint John, meanwhile, has been better on the road than at home this season, posting a 5-6-1-0 record.

It's just one game – a December one at that – but it sure feels like there's a lot on the line here. A win by the Sea Dogs would be a confidence booster, no doubt, proving that they can win a game they should – on paper – win. A loss though... it wouldn't be good.

Saint John also shouldn't be taking Baie-Comeau too lightly after they upset the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 7-6 in overtime on Sunday. The Drakkar have won back-to-back games just once this season.

This game kicks off a three-game Quebec road trip for the Sea Dogs, one that will see them face a bottom team, a top team and middle-of-the-pack team. Here's a look at the schedule:

Wednesday at Baie-Comeau (5-19-2-2, 18th QMJHL)

Thursday at Chicoutimi (18-5-2-2, 2nd QMJHL)

Saturday at Quebec (13-12-1-1, 12th QMJHL)

The Sea Dogs currently have a record of 10-16-1-0. A month ago they were 9-9-1-0.

This will be Saint John's first meeting with the Drakkar this season. The Sea Dogs have played the Sagueneens and Remparts already this season, winning both games: 6-5 over Chicoutimi on Oct. 5 and 4-0 over Quebec on Nov. 15.

After this road trip the Sea Dogs will have just two games remaining before the holiday break (and trade period). Saint John will play a home-and-home against the Halifax Mooseheads Dec. 17-18.