YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

The first all-New Brunswick final is set, and it is something even the players for both squads will savor.

"For sure, it's been a rivalry all season," said Saint Sea Dog right-winger Nick Petersen to the CBC.

"Every game's been close, I think. I think we had a good record against them. I think we won five of the eight games maybe."

Despite some major hurdles, the Presidents Cup Final schedule has finally been released. The full schedule can be seen below:

GAME 1: Friday, April 30 – 7:30pm @ Harbour Station
GAME 2: Sunday, May 2 – 4pm @ Moncton Coliseum
GAME 3: Tuesday, May 4 – 7pm @ Harbour Station
GAME 4: Friday, May 7 – 7:30pm @ Moncton Coliseum
*GAME 5: Saturday, May 8 – 7pm @ Harbour Station
*GAME 6: Monday, May 10 – 7pm @ Moncton Coliseum
*GAME 7: Tuesday, May 11 – 7pm @ Harbour Station
*if necessary

The format abides from the typical 2-2-1-1-1 format that would normally be used in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final. Because of booking issues at the Moncton Coliseum, game dates next week at the Cage were unavailable, forcing the two teams to compromise with the 1-1-1-1-1-1-1.

News broke this morning that the Coliseum’s bookage problems had not been solved. Home games for the ‘Cats may have had to have been taken to an alternate venue if the two could not come to a compromise that also followed league guidelines.

From today’s Times & Transcript:

The Wildcats have building availability issues at the Moncton Coliseum and want to work around it by alternating between the cities after each game. If they don't get their wish, they will likely have to find a different venue and that could mean moving home games to Halifax.

The QMJHL will listen to both clubs make their case and then make a ruling on the series schedule. It would be an embarrassing black mark on the league if a championship series between two New Brunswick clubs was forced to play some games in Nova Scotia.

I can't imagine the QMJHL allowing this type of scenario to play out. It would create nothing but a negative circus around the league's biggest showcase event.

The thought of games being played out of Halifax were quickly squashed late this afternoon by John Moore on Twitter.

They won't play a single game of the all Q NB final in Hfx. They'll play at midnight before coming to Metro Centre. Still waiting for sked.

Tickets to games one and three go on sale tomorrow at 10:00 am at the Harbour Station box office.

The first 5,000 fans attending Friday’s series-opener will receive a free white Sea Dogs President’s Cup Finals t-shirt courtesy of FibreOP from Bell Aliant (3,000 size L, 2,000 size XL – given away on a first come, first serve basis). All spectators are encouraged to wear white shirts, jerseys, etc. to Game 1 as a sign of support for the Port City’s major junior squad.

A Sea Dogs fan bus is being organized for game two in Moncton. Contact Lori Thorton at 506-650-9508 or e-mail at bustrips@live.ca for more info.

Station Nation’s epic coverage begins tomorrow.


-with files from saintjohnseadogs.com