Top 10 Sea Dogs Memorial Cup Moments: #5 - Dogs quickly show they belong

(Ed. Note: In honour of 2022 Memorial Cup tickets going on sale to the general public on Dec. 6, we're counting down the top 10 Sea Dogs moments in Memorial Cup history.)

#5 - Sea Dogs quickly show they belong at 2011 Memorial Cup

The Saint John Sea Dogs had one of the best regular seasons in junior hockey history in 2011 but there were still some doubters when they entered the playoffs.

Still a young team by junior-hockey-contender status and loaded much more with skill than sandpaper, the Sea Dogs proved a lot of those doubters wrong with a strong playoffs, winning their first President Cup title. But, ahead of the 2011 Memorial Cup in Mississauga, many still wondered if they were ready for the big stage or if they were still a year away from being a serious contender.

The Sea Dogs quickly showed they belonged amongst the Canadian Hockey League's best teams.

Tomas Jurco scored just 1:44 into the tournament's opening game against the host Mississauga St. Michael's Majors.

Mississauga then took a 2-1 lead but Jonathan Huberdeau tied the match late in the first. Michael Kirkpatrick scored in the second and then Nathan Beaulieu netted what proved to be the game-winner in the third.

Saint John, as you may have heard, went on to win the Memorial Cup - and some of that has to be credited to this confidence boosting (or preserving) 4-3 win in the tournament opener.

Top 10 Sea Dogs Memorial Cup Moments

10. Misspelled merchandise gets fixed in Windsor

9. Saint John wins 2022 Memorial Cup tournament bid

8. Tomas Jurco scores with his head

7. Joe Veleno gives Sea Dogs life in Windsor

6. Shawinigan rivalry reaches Memorial Cup

5. Sea Dogs quickly show they belong at 2011 Memorial Cup

4. Dec. 3

3. Dec. 4

2. Dec. 5

1. Dec. 6 (tickets go on sale)