Bulldogs a big challenge for Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs have waited 38 days for this game.

After being the victim of a stunning first round upset on May 12, the Sea Dogs make their long awaited return to game action by hosting the Ontario Hockey League champion Hamilton Bulldogs. Game time is 7 p.m. at TD Station.

"It's a big challenge for us," said Gardiner MacDougall, who will make his Sea Dogs head coaching debut tonight. "I've been on that side before so I know what they're feeling. They're feeling lots of confidence and they deserve the confidence they feel. We just have to get that first minute under our belt and try to get better each minute after that."

The Bulldogs went 51-12-3-2 in the OHL regular season, finishing first overall. They followed that up by going 16-3 in the playoffs, winning their first 12 games.

"We matchup well with them and we're ready to go toe-to-toe and play a hard game."

More pre-game comments from Ryan Francis and Jérémie Poirier ⬇️ #MemorialCup | @SJSeaDogs pic.twitter.com/lroPF58Wup

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) June 20, 2022

The Bulldogs will be a big challenge for the Sea Dogs. There's plenty of mystery and intrigue surrounding Saint John's game plan given their coaching change and time off. MacDougall continues to preach about getting better every day.

"We've got better as a team in practice," said MacDougall. "Now we've got to learn to take the practice into the game. It all starts with first shift. Everyone has waited 38 days to play the first shift at the Memorial Cup. It's a lifetime opportunity. You only get to do it once. Try to make it incremental. There's three timeouts a period. I'm going to call it seven-minute sprints."

MacDougall wouldn't confirm who would get the start in net, but it certainly appears it will be veteran Nikolas Hurtubise. Thomas Couture and Noah Patenaude remained on the ice with the presumed scratches following the team's practice this morning.

"We'll let you know tonight," MacDougall told media about his starter. "They've both been exceptional, really. The strength of any good team is their goalie and we're lucky we've got two really good ones."