The Sea Dogs' last regular season game was on Nov. 18 in Sydney. It was the team's 15th game of the year. Now, after a COVID shutdown, an extended holiday break and more COVID related problems, Saint John is set to resume their season.
Tonight's game has the feeling of a season opener - not just because of the lengthy break but because of a number of new faces who should be in the lineup. The most notable are forwards Vladislav Kotkov and Ryan Francis, two experienced point producers who should help out Saint John's offense.
Of course, the big question will be Saint John's defense. The team's defensive struggles over the past couple seasons are well documented and they didn't have a great "first half." But the club has had plenty of time to practice over the past month and hopefully this is when the Sea Dogs' d-core finally finds their groove.
Saint John was 5-6-3-1 before the shutdown and 0-4-2-1 on the road. It's been over a calendar year since the club won a road game - something they'll try and accomplish tonight.
Game time at the KC Irving Regional Centre is 7 p.m.
TV/Radio/Webcast: Rogers TV/93 CFBC/QMJHL Live
Records: The Sea Dogs are 5-6-3-1 for a .467 points percentage (third Maritimes) while the Titan are 9-4-1-1 for a .667 points percentage (second Maritimes).
Last games: Saint John's last game was on Nov. 18 in Cape Breton where the Eagles edged the Sea Dogs 8-6. Joshua Roy and Brady Burns each had a pair of goals while singles came from Leighton Carruthers and Dawson Stairs. Noah Patenaude made 26 stops in the loss. The Titan's last game came on Nov. 20 in Halifax where they defeated the Mooseheads 4-3 in a shootout. Mark Rumsey had a pair of goals for the Titan while Mathieu Desgagnes added a solo marker. Chad Arsenault made 41 stops in the win.
2020-21 head-to-head: The Sea Dogs are 1-1-1-0 against the Titan this season while Bathurst is 2-0-0-1 against Saint John.
Last meeting: Oct. 24 in Saint John where the Titan defeated the Sea Dogs 5-3. Logan Chisholm, Cole Huckins, Mark Rumsey, Felix-Antoine Marcotty and Mathieu Desgagnes all scored for Bathurst. Julian Vander Voet, Alex Drover and Joshua Roy - all players who are no longer with the Dogs - all scored for Saint John. Chad Arsenault made 38 stops in the win. Creed Jones allowed five goals on 20 shots before being pulled. Noah Patenaude made 11 stops in relief.
Ex-Sea Dogs on the Titan: None.
Titan to watch: Forward Cole Huckins has been creeping up the NHL Draft rankings. Before the break, the Fredericton native recorded seven goals and 12 assists in 15 games.
Random stat: Mathieu Desgagnes (three goals and three assists), Cole Huckins (two goals and four assists) and Felix-Antoine Marcotty (one goal and five assists) each have six points against Saint John this season.
Notes: The newly acquired Ryan Francis is Saint John's top scorer with 21 points in 15 games... Francis and Nicholas Girouard each have a team high six goals... Francis' 15 assists leads the club... Mathieu Desgagnes leads Bathurst in points with 23 and goals with 12... Felix-Antoine Marcotty leads the team in assists with 16... Bathurst is 5-1-1-0 at home.
Out of town:
Charlottetown at Halifax - 7:00 PM ASTNext game: The Sea Dogs visit the Moncton Wildcats on Saturday at 7 p.m.
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