Friday, May 25, 2012

Sea Dogs Notebook

PREVIEW
Open Ice Hockey has a preview of tonight’s Sea Dogs-Cataractes semi-final tilt.

“It’s always hard to play three-games-in-three-nights, but I think the boys have a lot of energy,” Michael Chaput said. “That’s what we worked on for a month. We worked hard on the ice and in the gym and I think that will be a good thing for us.”

Game time is 8pm tonight. The game can be seen on Sportsnet or heard on News 88.9

McCAIN
Scott McCain appeared on Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown last night. He talked about Wednesday’s nasty game but also talks about the 2012 Memorial Cup selection process. He basically says the same stuff he has said in the past about the selection but it is worth a listen. Conversation begins at 33:30.

DEFENDING
The Canadian Press had an article yesterday about Saint John’s underrated defensive play which could be seen in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory.

"Don't get me wrong, we practice the trap a little bit," Gallant said. "But when it's 3-1, I want our guys to keep going, but to make sure our defencemen aren't pinching and to make sure we have a high forward (one staying back in the attacking zone). I don't want to sit back.

"We're never scared. We're responsible. You see our defencemen, it's 3-1 and they're still in the rush, they still play the game. We just keep giving them reminders that we don't want odd-man rushes. Play the game smart."

The winner of tonight’s game will have the pleasure of playing against the Hunter/boring style London Knights in Sunday’s Championship Game.

HUBERDEAU
The London Free Press has an article on Jonathan Huberdeau’s play at the Memorial Cup.

“I don’t think about that,” he said about whether he is playing better in this year’s tournament than last. “I feel like I have my confidence back, more than I had in the playoffs (21 points in 15 games and suspended for the first two games of the Quebec league final), and I’m more comfortable out there every game.”

Huberdeau has four goals and two assists in this year’s Memorial Cup. His six points place him second in tournament scoring.

HISTORY
This tweet from QMJHL stat man Denis Demers.
FIRE
Over at Buzzing The Net, Neate Sager has an article about Stephen MacAulay nearly setting his Shawinigan hotel room on fire.

"I was in another room watching the game and then Jurco went out and came back and says, 'Hey Mac, I think your room's on fire,' “ explained MacAulay.

MARATHON
The Memorial Cup website has an article on the Sea Dogs and what they have done throughout the year to make sure the batteries were charged come late May.

“Especially for the guys that were here last year, they went far in the playoffs. The guys could have gotten tired by this time of the year,” said Charles Roussel. “We had a lot of days off, our schedule was really good. They made sure we had our rest and it’s good for us now.”

GALLANT
Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington brings up Gerard Gallant as a possible candidate for the vacant Washington Capitals head coaching position.

“Among those reported to be potential coaching candidates are NHL assistant coaches Craig Berube and Adam Oates, along with former NHL head coaches Paul Maurice, Michel Therrien, Bob Hartley and Marc Crawford,” writes Gormley. “Former NHL forward Gerard Gallant, now the head coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec League, has also been talked-up as an NHL coaching candidate.”

Earlier this week Gallant said he had not been contacted by the Montreal Canadiens about their head coaching job.

PALOV

“I’ve said it many times before, the Sea Dogs are on the back end of a special run. There hasn’t been a dynasty quite like this one in the QMJHL, perhaps ever,” he writes. "It would be nice to see them have a chance to repeat.

“Likewise, it’s heartening to see something positive happen for the Cataractes. They took their share of abuse after bowing out to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the second round of the Quebec league playoffs.”

NEW NAME
The team that the Sea Dogs beat in last year’s Memorial Cup final no longer exists (well, their name, at least). The Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors were recently sold and will have a new name and look next year. It was announced yesterday that the club would be called the “Mississauga Steelheads,” named after the Steelhead trout that swim up the Credit River.

FAN FEST
The Cataractes put this video up on their YouTube page. It’s Cats fans watching Wednesday’s game against Saint John.


They didn’t have a whole lot to cheer about.

FIGHT
Here's Grant West’s fight against Vincent Arseneau on Wednesday.

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