Memorial Cup previews and links

WINDSOR, Ont. - Here are a bunch of Memorial Cup previews and links to check out before tonight's tournament opener between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Windsor Spitfires.

• Nathan Noel is looking to become just the sixth player from Newfoundland to win the Memorial Cup.
• The Montreal Gazette has a story on Sea Dogs forward Joe Veleno.
• Sportsnet has reasons why you should watch the Memorial Cup, if you needed more reasons.
• Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino looks at 10 storylines to follow during this year's tournament.
• The Hamilton Spectator looks at the tournament by the numbers.
• The Spectator also has previews of each team.
• Sportsnet also examined the strengths and weaknesses of each team.
• The Chronicle Herald has a story on Sea Dogs head coach Danny Flynn.
• The Spitfires will look to shake off the rust tonight against the Sea Dogs, reports the Windsor Star.
• The Hockey News has a list of players that each NHL club should keep an eye on.
• NHL.com has a tournament preview.
• The Canadian Press has five players to keep an eye on at the Memorial Cup.

Memorial Cup Game Day: at Windsor

The Saint John Sea Dogs begin Memorial Cup play tonight at 8 p.m. against the host Windsor Spitfires. Puck drop is expected to be around 8:20 p.m. at the WFCU Centre.

TV/Radio/Webcast: Sportsnet and TVA Sports/96.1 NewSong FM/SN NOW and NeuLion

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-1 win over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in Game 4 of the President Cup Final on May 10. Spencer Smallman scored twice while singles came from Bokondji Imama, Simon Bourque and Matthew Highmore. Callum Booth made 20 saves in the win. The Spitfires' last game was on April 4 against the London Knights, a Game 7 first round loss. Jeremy Bracco and Aaron Luchuk scored for Windsor. Michael DiPietro made 23 stops in the loss.

Head-to-head: This is the first ever meeting between the two teams.

Ex-Sea Dogs on the Spitfires: None.

Random stat: The two teams have a combined 20 NHL drafted or signed players on their rosters.

Five things to know for Dogs/Spits

WINDSOR, Ont. - The Saint John Sea Dogs begin the 2017 Memorial Cup on Friday against the host Windsor Spitfires.

Game time is 8 p.m. with puck drop expected to happen around 8:20 p.m. at the WFCU Centre. The game can be watched on Sportsnet and heard on 96.1 NewSong FM.

Here are five things to know/watch for in Saint John's tournament opener.

Windsor's rest or rust
No doubt one of the biggest storylines of this tournament is how the Windsor Spitfires will perform following their lengthy layoff. The Spitfires haven't played a game since April 4 when they were eliminated in the first round by the London Knights. Will the Spitfires be rested and ready or show signs of rust?

Starting off right
Momentum can be critical in a short tournament like the Memorial Cup. The team that gets off to a good start tomorrow could be setting themselves up for not only a good game but a good tournament. Let's not forget how important Tomas Jurco's goal, which came 1:44 into Saint John's first ever Memorial Cup game in 2011, seemed to give a young Dogs team confidence on the big stage.

Welcome back
Neither of these teams are strangers to playing in - or winning - the Memorial Cup, but it's the first time in some time that either are playing this late in May. The Spitfires' last Memorial Cup tournament was in 2010 (which they won) while Saint John's was in 2012 (they placed third).

NOTES: Sea Dogs get send off

WINDSOR, Ont. - The Saint John Sea Dogs touched down in Windsor on Wednesday afternoon following a large showing of support from their fans.

The team left Saint John following a crowded and lively send off at Market Square, where captain Spencer Smallman, head coach Danny Flynn, president Trevor Georgie and mayor Don Darling all spoke.

The team flew to Windsor following the rally and will practice on Thursday morning.

Flynn, along with the rest of tournament's head coaches, spoke at a press conference on Wednesday evening at the WFCU Centre.

#SJSeaDogs head coach Danny Flynn on why the #MCMemorialCup is such a challenging tournament. #PortCityRise pic.twitter.com/WpotuxVLL4

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) May 17, 2017

Here are a few other notes and links...

• CBC Nova Scotia has an article on Sea Dogs overager Matthew Highmore.
• The Guardian has an article on Bailey Webster.
• The Telegram has a story on Nathan Noel.
• Simon Bourque is a prospect you need to know, according to The Hockey News.
• Global has some video from Wednesday's send off.
• Be prepared for tape delays if you are watching the Memorial Cup in the US.
• The Sea Dogs have Windsor connections, reports the Windsor Star.

VIDEO: Sea Dogs' President Cup win

Because it's been nearly a week since it happened, here's a few videos to help you remember the Saint John Sea Dogs' President Cup celebration.


And another:

Congrats to the @SJSeaDogs!#Presidentscup #LHJMQ pic.twitter.com/a4P7hxiYwr

— Frederic Gagnon (@FredGagnonLHJMQ) May 11, 2017

And one more:

TFW you achieve your goal. #PortCityRise #OnToTheNext pic.twitter.com/plgXbhbiK0

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) May 11, 2017

The Sea Dogs will celebrate again on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Market Square Atrium prior to departing for the Memorial Cup in Windsor, Ont.

2017 Memorial Cup schedule now confirmed

Now that the four teams are confirmed for the 2017 Memorial Cup, the schedule has been confirmed as well.

Here is the full tournament schedule (all the games Saint John will or could be involved in are in bold):

Friday, May 19: Saint John vs Windsor, 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 20: Erie vs Seattle, 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 21: Windsor vs Seattle, 8 p.m.
Monday, May 22: Erie vs Saint John, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, May 23: Seattle vs Saint John, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 24: Windsor vs Erie, 8 p.m.
Thursday, May 25: Tiebreaker, 8 p.m.
Friday, May 26: Semifinal, 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 28: Final, 8 p.m.

This is the same scheduling format as the 2011 Memorial Cup in Mississauga, which the Sea Dogs won. Saint John defeated the host St. Michael's Majors in the tournament opener and then defeated Owen Sound to clinch a spot in the final. The team lost to the Kootenay Ice in overtime in their final round robin game, but the Dogs opted to rest many of their regulars for that contest.

The Sea Dogs have never played Windsor, Erie or Seattle previously. Saint John is 3-1 all-time against OHL teams (defeating Mississauga twice, Owen Sound once and losing to London)  and 1-1 against WHL squads (defeating Edmonton and losing to Kootenay).

All tournament games will be broadcast nationally on Sportsnet.