SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

THE MIRACLE ON ICE – SEA DOGS EDITION
The website “Hockey Zen,” whose Twitter feed is based out of Saint John, took at look at Gerard Gallant’s issuing of a bag skate following Saturday’s game. The site compared the skate to that of 1980 Team USA coach Herb Brooks doing the same thing to his gold medal winning squad.

Click HERE to view the article.

Thanks to Chris Nadeau who pointed this out on our Facebook page.

HUBERDEAU FAN CLUB
The Sea Dogs drafted Jonathan Huberdeau as a player who they plan on building their franchise around in the future. The fans love his sick hands in the shootout right now but some young folks took that passion a bit further.

"We cut out articles and we made a secret handshake about our favourite player," Stephanie Mackin said to the Telegraph-Journal during Sunday’s game. "I find it really fun to watch hockey live."

The girls said they know all of Huberdeau's statistics including his weight and height and have their own Sea Dogs fan club with only two members.

To view the entire article click HERE.

To join the Facebook group click HERE. Everyone join.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
We found this rather bizarre. Saintjohnseadogs.com was named the “TBayTel Internet Site” to visit this week in the Thunder Bay newspaper Chronicle Journal.

Not only do they have a catchy nickname the Saint John Sea Dogs are also currently the top ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League.

Playing out of the QMJHL, the New Brunswick-based Sea Dogs are a league-best 48-10-1 after nipping Rimouski 3-2 in overtime on Sunday.

You can learn more on the club by checking out the latest TBayTel internet site of the week at www.saintjohnseasdogs.com.

GAME OF THE WEEK
Rogers Sportsnet has named tomorrow night’s Sea Dogs game in Rouyn-Noranda the QMJHL game of the week.

“The league's top team, the Sea Dogs, will make the long trip north to Rouyn-Noranda,” wrote Patrick King in his column. “The Huskies learned on Friday the league denied their appeal and would be without suspended forward Patrice Cormier for the rest of the season and playoffs. Rouyn-Noranda is still a dangerous team without Cormier, and will have its best test in measuring themselves against the Sea Dogs. Saint John is winners of eight of their last 10 games and in the driver's seat to acquire home ice through the playoffs.”

To read the full “Who’s Hot, Who’s Not” article click HERE.

In other CHL news, the Windsor Spitfires are currently involved in a complete collapse.

HOFFMAN ALMOST WAS…
Mike Hoffman was almost a guest on the QMJHL’s weekly radio program “Inside the Q” this week but was cancelled due to technical difficulties. It is a taped show however and it could air this Wednesday on the league website.

GALLANT NOT PLEASED WITH COLLPASE
Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant was not too pleased with his team’s effort in the final 10 minutes of Wednesday’s game in Gatineau. In the last 10 minutes, Saint John allowed four goals but luckily they lead 6-1 entering the third.

"The first 50 minutes (of the game), we played really, really well,'' Gallant said to Telegraph-Journal. "In the last 10 minutes, we fell asleep. In the second period, we started to dominate the game and I thought our puck movement and our tempo was the difference. We did a good job in the offensive end with cycling the puck down low and getting the puck to the points and guys going to the net.''

YOU SHOULD GET…
The latest edition of Prospects Hockey (QMJHL edition) is loaded with Sea Dogs features, news, and stats. The magazine will likely be given out at one of three Sea Dogs games at Harbour Station this week.

After skimming by the Moncton Wildcat garbage, former beat reporter Nathan White has an excellent article on Saint John’s 22-game winning streak. White did the colour commentating on News 88.9 when the streak ended in Moncton. Also in the magazine, current beat reporter Scott Briggs is on a panel to choose the best of the best in the QMJHL.

Of all people, Karel St. Laurent and Travis Fullerton are in a goaltending equipment ad.

Good stuff and a must read.

FIVE DAYS, THREE GAMES - ALL AT THE STATION

SAINTJOHNSEADOGS.COM
Sea Dogs vs. Rocket: Wednesday, March 3 – 7:00pm
Saint John and P.E.I. clash in a potential first round playoff preview.
PROMOTIONS: This will be the third and final ‘V-alue Night’ of the year, with special $5 upper bowl seats available for purchase. Also designated ‘Faith & Family Night’, Team Chaplain and Hockey Ministries International Director Bruce Smith will be addressing the crowd in a post-game inspirational speech.

Sea Dogs vs. Wildcats: Friday, March 5 – 7:30pm
The penultimate meeting of the season between the top two teams in the QMJHL.
PROMOTIONS: Game 7 of the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup Challenge goes next Friday, with the Sea Dogs set to hold a charity food drive which will count towards the intercity contest (5 pts.). The Wildcats currently lead the overall standings 14.5 – 10.5 with two games remaining. This game has also been designated ‘Irish Night’, with fans being encouraged to dress in green as St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated early on what promises to be an exciting evening at the Station.

Sea Dogs vs. Mooseheads: Sunday, March 7 – 4:00pm
Saint John hosts Halifax in the final home game of what has been an incredibly successful fifth anniversary season.
PROMOTIONS: Designated ‘Fan Appreciation Day’, this game will feature several exciting giveaways throughout the afternoon. Special 4-for-40 family ticket packages are available for this contest, while members of the Sea Dogs will be signing autographs upon the conclusion of the action.