Sea Dogs Notebook

FRIDAY

The Ross Yates head coaching era begins on Friday night at Harbour Station as the Sea Dogs host the Moncton Wildcats. Game time is 7:30pm.

Saint John, 5-10-0-2, will be looking to end their eight-game losing streak. Despite what those who just look at the scores may think, the Sea Dogs actually haven’t played that terribly during this losing skid. Their past four games have all been decided by a goal with the latest, Sunday’s 3-2 loss in Chicoutimi, coming in a shootout.

Moncton has a record of 7-11-0-1 entering play this weekend.

According to a Sea Dogs press release, “four fans will be selected randomly for our 'Shoot to Win' competition in the first intermission. The two best shooters will qualify for a chance to shoot for a BRAND NEW CAR, courtesy of Downey Ford, on November 27th!

“The Sea Dogs Foundation will raffle off a #22 Keven Charland Sea Dogs alumni jersey worn during the Wallace McCain Memorial Alumni Weekend. Wallace McCain Alumni golf shirts will also be raffled. Tickets are $5 each, three for $10, or ten for $20. Proceeds will be donated to the MOvember campaign.

“A secondary 50/50 prize of $500 will be given away.”

So that’s all cool.

SATURDAY

On Saturday, the Sea Dogs host the Charlottetown Islanders. The Isles sit second in the Maritimes Division with a 10-5-0-1 record but do have a better winning percentage than the division-leading Halifax Mooseheads.

According to the Sea Dogs release,” It's Support Our Troops Night at Harbour Station!

“Members of Canadian Forces from CFB Gagetown will take part in a special pregame ceremony to pay tribute to fallen Canadian soldiers and all members of this country's military.

“The Sea Dogs Foundation will raffle off a #35 Karel St-Laurent Sea Dogs alumni jersey from the Wallace McCain Memorial Alumni Weekend. Wallace McCain alumni golf shirts will again be raffled.

“Another secondary 50/50 prize of $500 will be given away.”

MOVEMBER

The Sea Dogs also announced this week that the team will be taking part in the MOvember Challenge. Full details on all that can be found on the Sea Dogs website.

In addition to the money raised through donations, the Sea Dogs will also be making a donation to the campaign that will increase with rising attendance numbers.

If the Sea Dogs average 3,800 fans during the seven home games in November, the team will donate $5,000. If the average hits five thousand fans per game, the team will donate $15,000. If it reaches six thousand fans, the team will donate $30,000.

In addition, the Sea Dogs will donate $10,000 for any game which is sold out.

ATTENDANCE

Speaking of attendance, the Sea Dogs are averaging just 2,934 fans per game after eight home games. That is good for fifth in the QMJHL but quite lower than what Saint John usually averages in a season.

After eight home games last season Saint John was averaging 3,808 fans per game.

Obviously the nice weather, no Huberdeau, the NHL season actually starting on time, the Red Sox somehow being the best team in baseball, and other things played factors but, y’know, the attendance needs to improve and hopefully it will.

NOVEMBER

The Sea Dogs have a busy month of November ahead of them. They will play 13 games this month with seven of them being played at Harbour Station.

Saint John begins the month with a three-game homestand and then play their next five on the road. That includes a three-in-three in Quebec.

The Dogs will play Moncton, Charlottetown, and Halifax all twice in November.

SAAB

Former Sea Dogs defensema Ian Saab (pictured) has joined the St. Thomas Tommies hockey team.

“Ian will provide us with sandpaper in our defensive zone, especially in front of our net,” said Tommies head coach Pat Powers in a release.

“He brings size and a physical element to our back end that will make us a much tougher team to play against.”

Saab played in one-and-a-half seasons with Saint John, helping the club win a QMJHL Championship in 2012. Last season he appeared in 28 regular season games with the Dogs and registered five assists.

Because the Halifax native played pro hockey in the first half of last season he will have to wait until January to be eligible to participate in CIS hockey action.

Saab joins former Sea Dogs Spencer McDonald, Jordan Moore, and Alexandre Leduc on the Tommies.

THIRD JERSESY

Sea Dogs president Wayne Long tweeted this the other day:

this one didnt make the cut for a third jersey pic.twitter.com/ISwATZ1BOV
— Wayne Long (@WayneLongSJ) October 28, 2013

I like the Sea Dogs current third jersey better.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation