This And That

Some random stuff from this weekend’s pre-season action…

• The qplex proved to be a great place to watch a pre-season hockey game again. Terrific facility and perfect for an exhibition game.
• It seemed like most people in attendance on Friday liked the Sea Dogs new third jersey but the reaction online has been mixed. I like the idea of creating a different logo for the jersey. Seems like a lot of hockey teams these days just stick the team name or city name on the front in a fancy font and call it a third jersey.
• It’ll be interesting to see how much the new logo is used at games, in promotions, etc. The team basically has three logos now with the original, the front logo on the third jersey, and the shoulder patch on the third jersey.
• Speaking of jerseys, it’s great to have names on the back of them for the pre-season. Makes the games a lot easier to follow. If other teams could do the same that would be great.
• Mathieu Newcomb has had a solid pre-season offensively so far. He had two goals and an assist on Friday and added another assist yesterday. His four points are the most on the team.
• Newcomb, Mackenzie Brown, and Oliver Cooper all have two goals so far.
• If Saturday’s game is any indication, Alexis Pepin is going to be a real good player for the PEI Rocket. The second overall pick in the QMJHL Entry Draft scored two great goals on Saturday in his debut.
• He didn’t have any points, but Stephen Anderson played well on Saturday while wearing the C. He had 16 points in 26 games with Saint John last year. He was also named the MHL’s rookie of the year. The potential is definitely there for him to be an impact player with the Dogs this season.
• The Sea Dogs are 5/10 on the power play in the pre-season.
• Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf was at the game on Saturday to watch his brother, Dane Phaneuf, play defense for the Rocket. He signed at least one fan’s Sea Dogs jersey. That will be a weird addition to an autograph collection.
• It may be small, but there are not many fan bases in the league that deserve a contending team more than the PEI Rocket’s. This team has done basically nothing since moving to the island in 2003. They’ve made it past the first round of the playoffs just once and that was in their first season in Charlottetown. It probably won’t come this year, but a long playoff run could do wonders for this franchise.
• The Windsor Spitfires bus was parked at the Charlottetown Mall. Hopefully the team can still afford to use that bus following the $400,000 fine.
• The QMJHL’s summer trade deadline is tomorrow.  

The Sea Dogs take on the Acadie-Bathurst on Wednesday at 7pm in Tracadie-Sheila. Saint John won’t play again until September 7 when they face the Moncton Wildcats in Amherst. The second part of Sea Dogs training camp, which will include veteran players, begins on September 4.