SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

Hoffman back sooner than later
Mike Hoffman skated on Saturday and could be back sooner rather than later. He is likely to play on October 17 at Harbour Station when the Sea Dogs host the Moncton Wildcats. It is possible, but unlikely, he returns Tuesday in Charlottetown.

Hoffman has a hairline fracture in his left foot after blocking a shot during Saint John’s 6-1 loss to the Rocket on September 23 at Harbour Station. That is the only game Hoffman has skated in this season since returning from Ottawa Senators and Binghamton Senators training camps. He fought Rocket forward Joel Champagne and had no points.

New pads, New Gelinas
Goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas received new goaltending equipment earlier this week as announced on the Sea Dogs official Twitter page.

Gelinas had been wearing the purple and orange equipment that he wore with the Gatineau Olympiques last season. The 20 year old said the new pads, glove, and blocker had nothing to do with shaky past performances.

The new pads are white with blue and grey streaks. Along with the pads is a matching glove and blocker. Gelinas’ helmet isn’t the most creative with nothing on it but small stickers of the Sea Dogs logo.

Michael Kirkpatrick also got some new sticks this past week.

Goaltending rotation broken
After Gelinas’ performance on Sunday it looks like it is his job to lose. Gelinas and Karel St. Laurent have been rotating every other game until Saturday.

Gelinas started in back-to-back games for this first time on Saturday. He also started last Sunday in Victoriaville. Both starts were wins and won again on Sunday, recording a shutout.

Mascot race next Saturday
New Sea Dogs mascot Fleaburn will take on Moncton Wildcats mascot Wild Willy next Saturday at Harbour Station during an intermission contest. The contest was announced during Saturday’s Sea Dogs broadcast. No details have been released yet except that it will be some kind of race.

According to the official Brunswick News Rivalry Cup point system, one point will be awarded to the winner. Each club will host two of these events this season. Saint John currently leads Moncton 2-1 in the second annual Rivalry Cup.

Saturday’s match will also include a pink jersey auction with proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society. The jerseys will be game worn and autographed by the players. It’s also game two of the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup, Kirill Kabanov’s first Saint John performance, and Nicholas Petersen’s first regular season game as a Sea Dog at Harbour Station.

Bruised but not broken
Athletic Therapist Jeff Kelly had his share of activity this weekend. On Saturday Kelly was hit with a deflected puck and hit the right side of his head. It left a bump and a scratch on his face.

On Sunday Kelly was hit yet again but was no worse for wear.