Three sweeps completed in QMJHL playoffs

FORT WAYNE, IN - What a wild night at the historic Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

The Wheeling Nailers were up 6-2 entering the third period against the Fort Wayne Komets and ultimately won 8-5. It was a battle between two of the top teams in the ECHL with Wheeling sitting third and Fort Wayne sixth.

Former Sea Dogs forward William Dufour was one of the best players on the ice and could have finished the game with four or five points. He posted two assists in the loss along with four shots and a -3 rating.

Some positive Sea Dogs news tonight: William Dufour has two assists in this Komets/Nailers game I’m at. pic.twitter.com/L2LbN0gSiS

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) April 2, 2026

The 24-year-old has posted impressive numbers with the Komets. He now has eight goals and 18 assists in 22 games.

As for the rink itself, it definitely gives a Kitchener Memorial Auditorium vibe – an old barn that underwent a major expansion but still has some of its old school features. Announced attendance was 5,893, although there was maybe half of that actually in the building

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 7-3

FINAL: Moncton 7, Saint John 3

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs' season came to a close on Wednesday at TD Station.

The Moncton Wildcats defeated the Sea Dogs 7-3 in Game 4 of their first round Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League playoff series, completing a sweep.

The Wildcats, as regular season champions, will now face the lowest remaining seed that advances in the second round of the playoffs. Moncton is looking to repeat as QMJHL champions.

The Sea Dogs, meanwhile, have not won a playoff series since capturing the President Cup championship in 2017. They've made the playoffs five times (including the 2021 provincial tournament thing) since then but have lost in the first round each time.

With the exception of Game 2, which required overtime, this series wasn't overly close and it was clear the Wildcats are several steps above the Sea Dogs. That was evident again on Wednesday with Moncton scoring seven straight goals before Saint John was able to net three in the third when the game was well out of reach.

Preston Lounsbury scored a pair of goals for Moncton while singles came from Alex Mercier, Gavin Cornforth, Teddy Mutryn, Gabe Smith and Kuzma Voronin. Rudy Guimond made 19 saves in the win.

Angelo Fullerton, Zachary Morin and Olivier Groulx scored for Saint John. Arseni Radkov made 32 stops in the loss.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 6-0

FINAL: Moncton 6, Saint John 0

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - It took the Moncton Wildcats over 59 minutes to score against the Saint John Sea Dogs on Saturday.

On Tuesday, the Wildcats needed just nine seconds – and it was a sign of things to come. Moncton scored three times in the first period in a 6-0 win over the Sea Dogs at TD Station to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven first round series.

The Wildcats can complete the series sweep on Wednesday night in Saint John.

The game felt like it was over quick with the Wildcats jumping out to a quick start. Kuzma Voronin opened the scoring and then Alex Mercier and Gavin Cornforth scored less than a minute apart halfway through the period. Shots ended 12-3 in favour of the Wildcats in the first.

Starts have been an issue for the Wildcats in this series – but you wouldn't know it by Tuesday's performance. The Sea Dogs scored first in both games one and two.

Saint John had a better showing in the second and third periods but the game was out of reach. Arseni Radkov was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals on 15 shots. Rafaël Courchesne made 24 saves in relief.

Voronin had a pair of goals for Moncton while singles came from Mercier, Cornforth, Simon Binkley and Preston Lounsbury. Rudy Guimond made 22 saves in the win.

Sea Dogs debut dark Under Armour jerseys

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs debuted a new look on Tuesday at TD Station.

For the first time, the Sea Dogs took to the ice in their dark Under Armour jerseys, featuring the club's blue, black and grey colours. Tuesday's playoff match against the Moncton Wildcats was Saint John's first home game since the jerseys arrived.

After waiting nearly all season for the corrected Under Armour jerseys to arrive, Saint John debuted their new white jerseys on March 20 in Sydney – the final weekend of the regular season. The club has worn the new white jerseys on the road four times.

Sea Dogs debuting the dark Under Armour jerseys tonight. pic.twitter.com/fy0euiyT7t

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) March 31, 2026

The majority of teams across the CHL have been wearing Under Armour jerseys since opening night in September. Saint John announced on Sept. 18 that the new jerseys would be delayed.

Two teams in the QMJHL – the Sea Dogs and Halifax Moosheads – had been wearing old CCM jerseys all season. The CCM logos were covered over.

It was announced last May that Under Armour would replace CCM as the CHL's official jersey provider. The switch hasn't come without problems. A number of teams reportedly had errors with their new looks. 

The Sea Dogs unveiled their updated logo and mockups of the new jerseys at an event during the summer. The Sea Dogs had been wearing the same styled jersey since the 2009-10 season.

Playoff Game Day 3 & 4: vs Wildcats

Daniel St Louis/Moncton Wildcats

SAINT JOHN - After a heartbreaking loss in Game 2, the Saint John Sea Dogs will look to rebound on home ice.

The Sea Dogs were up 2-0 entering the final minute of play against the Moncton Wildcats on Saturday at Avenir Centre. Moncton pulled off an improbable comeback, scoring twice in the final minute and then winning in overtime to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven first round playoff series.

The Wildcats will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead tonight at TD Station. Game 4 is Wednesday, also in Saint John.

It will be interesting to see how the Sea Dogs respond to Saturday's result. Saint John played a great road game against a superior opponent – and it still wasn't quite enough. We'll see if they're motivated by the close game or if it knocked the wind out of their sails.

You have to think the Wildcats will look for a better start tonight. The Sea Dogs have scored first in both games.

Stream/TV/Radio: FloHockey/None/Sea Dogs Audio Network

Series status: The Wildcats lead the best-of-seven first round series 2-0.

Regular season records: The Sea Dogs were 23-36-5-0 for 51 points (eighth Eastern/15th QMJHL) while the Wildcats were 50-10-2-2 for 104 points (first Eastern/first QMJHL).

Last games: The Wildcats defeated the Sea Dogs 3-2 in overtime on Saturday at Avenir Centre. Niko Tournas, Gabe Smith and Gavin Cornforth scored for Moncton. Saint John goals came from Angelo Fullerton and Zachary Morin. Rudy Guimond made 22 saves in the win. Arseni Radkov made 47 stops in the loss.

Plenty of former Sea Dogs in QMJHL playoffs

Vincent Létourneau/Shawinigan Cataractes

SAINT JOHN - Vince Elie and the Shawinigan Cataractes are in some trouble.

The Cataractes find themselves down 2-0 in their first round series against the Sherbrooke Phoenix following back-to-back losses on home ice over the weekend. Elie was held scoreless and was a -2.

Sherbrooke goaltender Kyan Labbé, a fourth-round pick of Saint John in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft, has been excellent for the Phoenix, allowing just two goals on 59 shots in the first two games combined.

Former Sea Dogs forward Chad Bellemare has one goal for the Phoenix.

The Phoenix can take a commanding 3-0 series lead with a win on home ice on Tuesday.

Elliot Dubé, Jacob Beaulieu and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada will also look to take a 3-0 series lead against the Victoriaville Tigres on Tuesday. That series shifts to Victoriaville for Games 3 and 4.

In Quebec City, Egan Beveridge and the Quebec Remparts will look to take a 2-1 series lead against Tyler Peddle and the Charlottetown Islanders. Beveridge already has two goals in this series, tying him for the team lead. 

Peddle has also scored twice. The Islanders will need the overage forward to step up again on Tuesday with Ivan Ryabkin reportedly set to serve a one-game suspension for abuse of officials. Charlottetown was without Nathan Leek in Game 2 due to an injury.

Defenseman Patryk Zubek, who appeared in just five games with the Newfoundland Regiment in the second half, has not seen action in these playoffs yet. The Regiment and Cape Breton Eagles are tied 1-1 heading into Tuesday night's Game 3 at Centre 200.

Lastly, Max Vilen has been held scoreless with the Moncton Wildcats so far in these playoffs. The Wildcats will look to take a 3-0 series lead over the Sea Dogs on Tuesday at TD Station.