It's hard to forget Saint John's first round series in both the 2011 and 2012 playoffs.
The dominant first-place Sea Dogs had no trouble at all with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in either of those years. They even started then backup goaltender Mathieu Corbeil for a game in 2011, who posted a 15-save shutout.
The Sea Dogs scored 26 and 34 goals, respectively, in those series. If not for the incredible play of Etienne Montpetit in this year's second round matchup between Saint John and the Val-d'Or Foreurs, it certainly could have gotten as ugly as those Eagles years.
Saint John peppered Montpetit with shots, firing 224 on the goaltender in the four-game series - for an average of 56 per game. The Sea Dogs were kept to just 20 goals in the series, thanks in most part to the play of Montpetit (who allowed 18 of those 20 goals).
At the other end, Callum Booth faced under 20 shots in every game of the series, allowing six goals on 70 shots.
So how does this Sea Dogs series sweep compare to others in the past? Here's a look (ordered by date):
Series sweeps in Sea Dogs history
Year | Series | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Diff. |
2008 | 1st round vs PEI | 29 | 14 | 15 |
2010 | 2nd round vs GAT | 24 | 8 | 16 |
2011 | 1st round vs CAP | 26 | 2 | 24 |
2011 | 3rd round vs LEW | 20 | 12 | 8 |
2012 | 1st round vs CAP | 34 | 8 | 26 |
2012 | 2nd round vs BAC | 29 | 10 | 19 |
2012 | 4th round vs RIM | 20 | 8 | 12 |
2017 | 1st round vs RIM | 22 | 8 | 14 |
2017 | 2nd round vs VAL | 20 | 6 | 14 |
So, the 20 goals ties for the fewest the Sea Dogs have scored in a playoff series sweep. That's pretty impressive given how many shots Saint John had in each game. Montpetit is a very good goaltender.
(Also, RIP Lewiston Maineiacs).
Interestingly, this is just the second time the Sea Dogs have swept back-to-back playoff series. In 2012, their only loss of the post-season came in the third round against the Chicoutimi Sagueneens -who the Dogs could be facing again this year.
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