Sunday Games Are Dying

The Sea Dogs won’t be playing much on Sundays this season – especially at Harbour Station.

The 2015-16 QMJHL regular season schedule was released last week. Saint John’s home schedule is once again weekend-heavy with 22 games being played on either a Friday or Saturday. But only three will be played on Sunday afternoons.

In total, the Sea Dogs will play just eight Sunday games all season. The dates are listed below with home games in bold.

Sunday, Sept. 13 vs Moncton

Sunday, Sept. 27 at Bathurst

Sunday, Oct. 18 at Gatineau

Sunday, Oct. 25 at Moncton

Sunday, Jan. 3 at Cape Breton

Sunday, Jan. 10 vs Rimouski

Sunday, Feb. 14 vs Chicoutimi

Sunday, March 6 at Charlottetown

I don’t have the exact numbers, but it has certainly appeared that attendance for Sunday games at the Station has been declining for several years now. I’m not a fan of them, mainly because it’s hard to get excited for an afternoon tilt – and it certainly looks like the players feel the same way a lot of times.

Also, the decline of Sunday games should allow players to be home in time to start the school week, which I’m sure is important to the league.

With the fall of Sunday games, it appears Thursday games are on the rise. Saint John will play eight this year with seven taking place at Harbour Station.

Thursday, Oct. 22 vs Bathurst

Thursday, Nov. 12 vs Moncton

Thursday, Nov. 26 vs Quebec

Thursday, Dec. 17 vs Cape Breton

Thursday, Dec. 31 vs Charlottetown

Thursday, Jan. 21 at Charlottetown

Thursday, Feb. 25 vs Halifax
Thursday, March 3 vs Drummondville

Saint John will also play two pre-season games on Thursdays.

The Sea Dogs played five Thursday games last season.