Dogs/Eagles Are Not Strangers

SYDNEY, NS – For the third time in four years, the Saint John Sea Dogs and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles will be first-round playoff opponents. The playoff matchup became official last night when the Sea Dogs defeated the Eagles 4-0 at Centre 200.

Saint John is 6-1-0-0 against Cape Breton this season while the Screaming Eagles are 1-6-0-0 against the Sea Dogs. The two teams close out the regular season tonight with a 7pm matchup in Sydney.

Cape Breton’s lone win over the Dogs came way back on September 16 at Centre 200. Saint John had a 4-1 lead in the second period but eventually blew it, losing 8-5. Aidan Kelly, Jason Cameron, Jason Seed, Spencer MacDonald, Devon Oliver-Dares, Kevin Gagne, Oliver Cooper, and Sebastien Auger (who was backup) were the only regular Sea Dogs to take part in that game due to NHL camps.

Game One of the best-of-seven series is next Friday at 8pm at Harbour Station. The game will be aired live coast-to-coast on Sportsnet. Game Two will be played next Saturday at 7pm in Saint John. The official schedule has not been released yet but Games Three and Four will likely be played in Cape Breton the following Tuesday and Wednesday.

Saint John and Cape Breton are familiar first-round playoff opponents. In 2008-09, the Eagles swept the Dogs in four games. Then last season, the Dogs destroyed the Eagles in a four-game sweep, outscoring them 26-2.

This is fifth straight year – and fifth time in franchise history - that the Sea Dogs will participate in the post-season. In those five years, Saint John has only played two teams in the first-round – Cape Breton three times and PEI twice. 

With just two days remaining in the regular season, there is still a lot to decide in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Only three playoff matchups have been determined so far. Besides Saint John/Cape Breton, Shawinigan will face Rouyn-Noranda and Bathurst will take on Chicoutimi.