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| Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs |
The Wildcats advanced to a second straight league final following a Game 7 win over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Tuesday. Oddly enough, the Armada were the last team to play in back-to-back finals when they lost in both 2017 and 2018.
The Sea Dogs were the last team to win two straight QMJHL championships, winning in 2011 and 2012. Prior to that, no team had won back-to-back titles since the 2003 and 2004 Hull/Gatineau Olympiques.
Raising the Gilles-Courteau Trophy this season would give the Wildcats four QMJHL championships in their history – one better than the Sea Dogs.
The Wildcats, who have been around since the 1996-97 season (or 1995-96, depending on your perspective), have caught up to or surpassed the younger Sea Dogs franchise, who have been around since 2005-06, in a number of "key categories" over the past couple seasons.
| Moncton | Saint John | |
| 100-point seasons | 6 | 4 |
| Reg. season championships | 3 | 4 |
| QMJHL final appearances | 5 | 4 |
| QMJHL championships | 3 | 3 |
| Memorial Cup appearances | 3 | 4 |
| Memorial Cup final appearances | 1 | 2 |
| Memorial Cup championships | 0 | 2 |
It's worth pointing out that the Wildcats had 101 points when the 2019-20 season was stopped due to COVID-19. The team was poised for a long playoff run that year.
Moncton has had three 100-point seasons since Saint John last won a playoff series in 2017.
Both this season and last, the Wildcats recorded over 100 points, finished first in the regular season standings and advanced to the league final. It's to be determined if they'll win the QMJHL title and earn a spot at the Memorial Cup – a tournament the franchise has struggled at.
Game 1 of the Gilles-Courteau Trophy final between the Wildcats and Chicoutimi Sagueneens takes place Friday night at Avenir Centre.
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