Big road test awaits Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

After playing three of their first four games at home, the Saint John Sea Dogs will face a major road test this weekend.

The Sea Dogs travel to Quebec where they'll play a three-in-three in Sherbrooke, Quebec City and Victoriaville. The Phoenix, who feature former Sea Dog Joshua Roy, and the Remparts, who feature Charles Savoie, are expected to be amongst the best in the league this season.

Sherbrooke has yet to lose in regulation time, posting a 6-0-1-0 record. That includes a 4-0-1-0 record on home ice. Three of the QMJHL's top six scorers are Phoenix: Justin Gill (10 goals and six assists), Ethan Gauthier (five goals and nine assists) and Roy (four goals and seven assists).

Quebec, meanwhile, is off to a 5-1-0-1 start and are 3-0-0-0 at Videotron Centre. A number of rookie Sea Dogs have scored their first QMJHL goals in Quebec City over the years, so that's something to keep an eye on as this young Saint John team faces a big challenge in the big city.

The Phoenix and Remparts were ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in this week's CHL Top 10.

There's some new entries in Week 2 of the @KiaCanada CHL Top 🔟 rankings❗️👀

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) October 11, 2022

Saint John hosted Victoriaville on Saturday, falling 5-2.

Rookie netminder Olivier Brideau, who stopped all six shots he faced in a relief appearance against the Tigres on Saturday, will presumably make his first QMJHL start at some point on this trip. That is assuming Nikolas Hurtubise remains on the injured list. Ventsislav Shingarov has started all four games for Saint John this season.

Saint John travels to Quebec again in December (Shawinigan, Drummondville and Blainville-Boisbriand), January (Chicoutimi, Baie-Comeau and Rimouski) and February (Val-d'Or, Rouyn-Noranda and Gatineau).