Sea Dogs Eliminated

HALIFAX – For the first time since the 2006-07 season, the Saint John Sea Dogs will not be appearing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s post-season.

The Sea Dogs were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a 7-2 loss in Halifax tonight. Saint John’s elimination means the Shawinigan Cataractes grab the final spot and the Sea Dogs will join the Sherbrooke Phoenix on the sidelines.

The goal of every team is to make the playoffs but, looking at the bigger picture, missing the playoffs and getting higher draft picks is better for the team moving forward. The Dogs will now pick either first or second in the QMJHL Entry Draft and top five in the CHL Import Draft.

The Sea Dogs play their final game of the 2013-14 season tomorrow night in Charlottetown.

This is only the third time Saint John has missed the playoffs in team history. The squad did not appear in the playoffs in 2005-06 and 2006-07. They picked first overall in the QMJHL Entry Draft following both of those seasons.