Memorial Cup ticket prices increased

KAMLOOPS, BC - Greetings from Kamloops, where a major showdown between the Memorial Cup host Blazers and Connor Bedard's Regina Pats will take place Wednesday night.

The matchup comes on the eve of 2023 Memorial Cup ticket packages going on sale to the general public - packages that will cost more than the 2022 tournament in Saint John.

From the CHL:

Full tournament packages to the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia counting all eight games plus an if necessary tie-breaker will be available priced at $600 plus GST and applicable fees. With limited tickets available, fans are encouraged to act quickly to secure their seat to the 2023 Memorial Cup presented by Kia by visiting Ticketmaster.ca. Fans who purchase prior to December 15 will receive a printed Commemorative Souvenir Ticket Package.

Last year, ticket packages were split into two tiers and priced at $390 and $460 plus applicable taxes and fees. The price increase isn't a huge surprise given that just about everything is costing more these days. 

For the 2019 event in Halifax, ticket packages were priced at $450 and $350, before taxes.

The Western Hockey League hasn't hosted a Memorial Cup since Regina in 2018. The 2020 event, which was cancelled by COVID, was supposed to be held in Kelowna.

The scheduling format, meanwhile, for the 2023 tournament will return to "normal," with the event beginning on a Friday night and ending on a Sunday.

qplex to host WJC pre-tourney game

One of the biggest pre-tournament games ahead of the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship will be played in Quispamsis.

Hockey Canada announced the full slate of pre-tournament games on Tuesday afternoon. In total, 11 exhibition games will be played throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ahead of the tournament's Dec. 26 start.

The Quispamsis qplex will host a pre-tournament game between the United States and Finland on Monday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. The matchup will be one of the biggest showdowns of the pre-tournament.

Moncton's Avenir Centre will host several pre-tournament games - including two Team Canada contests - will the JK Irving Centre in Bouctouche will host one.

According to Hockey Canada, "ticket information for pre-tournament games will be available at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets in the coming days."

In Nova Scotia, Halifax, Truro and Antigonish will host pre-tournament contests. The full schedule can be found on the Hockey Canada website.

Team Canada will hold its selection camp at Moncton's Avenir Centre from Dec. 9-12. The team will hold practices at St. Stephen's Garcelon Civic Centre Dec. 14-18. It's unclear what will be open to the public.

Lawrence returns to Maritimes Division

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

A former Saint John Sea Dog was involved in a major trade on Monday.

20-year-old forward Josh Lawrence was dealt from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada to the Halifax Mooseheads in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft and a first-round selection in 2024.

Mooseheads make significant trade to land star forward Josh Lawrence from the Armada.

"He brings elite level offense and valuable experience" - Cam Russell

Details: https://t.co/KragjsVtMq | #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/d6WgrfSY57

— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) November 28, 2022

Lawrence was in his first season with the Armada after spending the first four years of his junior career in Saint John. A trade was suspected when the Fredericton native was listed as a healthy scratch by the Armada on Sunday.

Lawrence recorded 101 points with the Sea Dogs last season, helping the team capture the Memorial Cup on home ice.

“We are very pleased to add someone of Josh’s caliber to our already talented lineup," said Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell in a news release. "He brings elite level offense and valuable experience that will help our club tremendously this season."

Lawrence got off to a slow start this season and was held off the scoresheet in his first six games. He has really turned things around since then, posting 15 goals and 32 points in a total of 25 games. He sits 14th in league scoring.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 5-2

FINAL: Rouyn-Noranda 2, Saint John 5

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - Three third period goals lifted the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies past the Saint John Sea Dogs on Sunday afternoon at TD Station.

Mathis Perron, Louis-Philippe Fontaine and Thomas Verdon scored to break a 2-2 tie, pushing the Huskies to a 5-2 win. The victory gives the Huskies a 2-1 record on their three-game Maritime road trip.

Fontaine had a pair of goals in the game while Samuel Rousseau also scored. Former Sea Dogs netminder Thomas Couture, in his return to TD Station, was very good in the Huskies net, making 27 saves in the win.

Cam MacDonald and Charlie DesRoches scored for Saint John. Nikolas Hurtubise made 29 saves in the loss.

The Huskies carried much of the play in the first, outshooting the Sea Dogs 16-5. Despite that, a MacDonald goal late in the period tied the match 1-1 after 20 minutes.

Saint John had a much better second period, generating some solid scoring chances but had a hard time beating Couture. DesRoches put Saint John up 2-1 early in the period but Rouyn-Noranda took advantage of a fortunate bounce later in the period, tying things up at 2-2 after two.

Perron gave the Huskies a 3-2 lead early in the third, scoring on a breakaway. After Saint John couldn't convert on a power play soon after, the Huskies scored two goals late in the frame to secure the victory.

Game Day 22: vs Huskies

SAINT JOHN - A highly anticipated goaltending matchup will, in all likelihood, take place this afternoon at TD Station.

Nikolas Hurtubise and the Saint John Sea Dogs host Thomas Couture and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies today at 3 p.m. It's the first meeting of the season between the two clubs.

Hurtubise and Couture were Saint John's goaltending tandem in the second half of last season, going through the painful first-round playoff loss to the Rimouski Oceanic and then the joy of winning the Memorial Cup on home ice several weeks later.

Neither netminder played last night, which means both will likely get the start in goal today.

This is the third game in three days for the Huskies following a 4-2 win in Moncton on Friday and a 5-2 loss in Bathurst last night.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 6-14-0-1 for 13 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL) while the Huskies are 13-10-1-1 for 21 points (second West/fourth Western/sixth QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-3 loss to the Val-d'Or Foreurs last night at TD Station. Pavel Simek, Nicolas Bilodeau and Cole Burbidge scored for Saint John. Ventsislav Shingarov made 18 stops in the loss. The Huskies are coming off a 5-2 loss in Bathurst last night. Daniil Bourash and Bill Zonnon scored for Rouyn-Noranda. Kyle Hagen made 23 saves in the loss.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 6-3

FINAL: Val-d'Or 6, Saint John 3

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs came up short on Saturday night at TD Station, falling 6-3 to the Val-d'Or Foreurs.

The Sea Dogs put in a solid performance, outshooting the Foreurs 43-24. But a strong showing in net by Adam Rouleau coupled with Val-d'Or taking advantage of some key opportunities led to a road victory for the green and gold. The Foreurs went 3/4 on the power play and also scored a shorthanded marker.

The Foreurs won all three games of their Maritime road trip, beating Halifax, Charlottetown and Saint John. They have now won four straight road games.

Alexandre Doucet scored a pair of goals for Val-d'Or while singles came from Louis Robin, Justin Robidas, William Provost and Alexandre Guy. Rouleau made 40 saves in the win.

Pavel Simek, Nicolas Bildeau and Cole Burbidge scored for Saint John. Ventsislav Shingarov made 18 saves in the loss.

Saint John's top line of Peter Reynolds, Cam MacDonald and Brady Burns was buzzing for much of the game but could not convert. Reynolds had a short breakaway broken up in the second period and was robbed in the third period, which would have made it a one-goal game.

Game Day 21: vs Foreurs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs will face an unfamiliar opponent with a couple of familiar names tonight at TD Station.

The Val-d'Or Foreurs come to town tonight with a roster featuring former Sea Dogs defensemen Nathan Drapeau and Kale McCallum. The Foreurs also feature forward Francis Woods, a 2021 draft pick of the Sea Dogs.

Tonight's match will finish up a three-in-three Maritime road trip for the Foreurs. Val-d'Or defeated the Halifax Mooseheads 4-3 on Thursday and Charlottetown Islanders 6-3 last night.

The Sea Dogs will look to carry the momentum they gained from Thursday's 7-2 victory in Sydney, one of the team's strongest outings of the season.

Game time tonight is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 6-13-0-1 for 13 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL) while the Foreurs are 8-10-2-0 for 18 points (third West/fifth Western/seventh QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 7-2 win in Cape Breton on Thursday. Alexis Cournoyer scored twice while singles came from Brady Burns, Cam MacDonald, Sam-Luca Thifault, Cole Burbidge and Eriks Mateiko. Nikolas Hurtubise made 36 stops in the win. The Foreurs are coming off a 6-3 win in Charlottetown last night. Nathan Drapeau and William Provost each scored a pair of goals while singles came from Alexandre Guy and Alexandre Doucet. Adam Rouleau made 33 stops in the win.

Notebook: Old friends return

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - Some familiar faces will be foes this weekend at TD Station.

The Val-d'Or Foreurs and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies make their only appearances of the season in Saint John on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Both northern Quebec squads have a couple former Sea Dogs on their rosters.

The Foreurs, who have been frequent trading partners of Saint John in recent seasons, feature former Sea Dogs defensemen Nathan Drapeau and Kale McCallum. Drapeau helped the Sea Dogs capture the Memorial Cup in June.

Forward Francis Woods, a 2021 third-round pick of Saint John who did not dress in any regular season games for the club, also plays with Val-d'Or.

The Huskies, meanwhile, include forward Leighton Carruthers and goaltender Thomas Couture. Carruthers was selected third overall by Saint John in the 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft while Couture helped the Dogs win the Memorial Cup a few months ago.

Saturday's game begins at 7 p.m. while Sunday's is a 3 p.m. start.

The Sea Dogs visit Val-d'Or and Rouyn-Noranda in February.

WEEKEND PROMOS

There's a lot going on this weekend, including the return of Gardiner MacDougall.

MacDougall and his UNB Reds, who are ranked No. 1 in Canada, have Sunday off after playing Friday at Acadia University and Saturday at Saint Mary's.

Recap: Sea Dogs win 7-2

FINAL: Saint John 7, Cape Breton 2

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SYDNEY, NS - For just the second time this season, the Saint John Sea Dogs have won a road game.

The Sea Dogs scored three times in the first period en route to a big 7-2 win over the Cape Breton Eagles on Thursday night at Centre 200. Saint John had lost nine straight road games heading into the contest with their lone victory away from TD Station coming on Sept. 25 in Bathurst.

Alexis Cournoyer scored a pair of goals for Saint John while singles came from Brady Burns, Cam MacDonald, Sam-Luca Thifault, Cole Burbidge and Eriks Mateiko. Nikolas Hurtubise made 36 saves in the win.

Saint John carried the momentum they gained from scoring two goals in the opening 5:07 throughout the contest. The Eagles had their moments, but Saint John never let Cape Breton back into the game.

Saint John's offense (obviously) had a good night with six different players scoring. The team's struggling power play even converted twice.

Francois-James Buteau and Thomas Lavoie scored for Cape Breton. Oliver Satny was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals on 12 shots. Nicolas Ruccia allowed two goals on 11 shots in relief.

Game Day 20: at Cape Breton

SYDNEY, NS - The Saint John Sea Dogs return to action tonight, making a one-game trip to Cape Breton to face the Eagles.

This is just the second meeting of the season between the Sea Dogs and Eagles. Back on Nov. 5, Cape Breton defeated a depleted Saint John lineup 4-0 at Centre 200. Saint John's roster should look a little more "normal" when they meet tonight at 7 p.m.

The Eagles have turned their season around over the past few weeks, going 7-3 in their last 10 games. They now sit seven points ahead of the Sea Dogs in the standings.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 5-13-0-1 for 11 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL) while the Eagles are 8-10-2-0 for 18 points (fifth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/17th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 5-0 loss in Halifax on Saturday afternoon. Ventsislav Shingarov made 32 saves in the loss. The Eagles are coming off a 4-1 loss in Chicoutimi on Saturday. Ivan Ivan scored Cape Breton's lone goal. Nicolas Ruccia made 40 stops in the loss.

Video: Kuznetsov scores first pro goal

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Another member of the Saint John Sea Dogs' 2022 Memorial Cup championship squad has scored their first professional goal.

Yan Kuznetsov scored what proved to be the game-winner in the Calgary Wranglers' 5-3 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Former Sea Dogs defenseman Jeremie Poirier recorded an assist on the goal.

📹 Kuznetsov with a blast from the blue! pic.twitter.com/bhpwBsLA3v

— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) November 23, 2022

“Definitely nice to get that first one.”

Yan Kuznetsov chats post game after scoring his first career AHL goal. pic.twitter.com/kgfo7X0kZ9

— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) November 23, 2022

The 20-year-old appeared in 12 AHL games last season before being assigned to the Sea Dogs. In 14 games with the Wranglers this year, Kuznetsov has a goal and four assists.

Kuznetsov's night was perhaps overshadowed by another player scoring their first professional goal: former (and potentially future) Kingston Frontenacs forward Shane Wright, who had just been sent down to the AHL by the Seattle Kraken.

The Wranglers now sit second in the AHL's Pacific Division with a 9-5-1-0 record.

Kuznetsov, a second-round pick of the Flames in the 2020 NHL Draft, recorded two goals and 11 assists in 25 regular season games with Saint John last season.

Kuznetsov joins Poirier (Calgary Wranglers), William Dufour (Bridgeport Islanders), Vincent Sevigny  (Bridgeport Islanders), Philipps Daoust (Belleville Senators), William Villeneuve (Toronto Marlies) and Riley Bezeau (Charlotte Checkers) as members of Saint John's 2022 Memorial Cup championship team to score their first professional goals in the AHL this season.

Ryan Francis, who has been recalled to the AHL's Laval Rocket, scored his first professional goal with the ECHL's Trois-Rivieres Lions earlier this season.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 5-0

FINAL: Saint John 0, Halifax 5

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

HALIFAX - For a second time this season, the Saint John Sea Dogs were shutout by the Halifax Mooseheads.

Brady Schultz scored a pair of goals to lead the Mooseheads to a 5-0 victory over the Sea Dogs on Saturday afternoon at Scotiabank Centre. Cameron Whynot, Jack Martin and Evan Boucher also scored while Brady James stopped all 25 shots he faced in the shutout victory.

The Mooseheads downed the Sea Dogs 9-4 on Friday night. Earlier this month, on Nov. 6, Halifax shutout a depleted Saint John lineup 7-0.

Ventsislav Shingarov allowed five goals on 37 shots in the loss.

Halifax scored all five of their goals in a second period where they outshot Saint John 19-8.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 9-4

FINAL: Saint John 4, Halifax 9

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

HALIFAX - The Halifax Mooseheads proved to be too much for the Saint John Sea Dogs on Friday night at Scotiabank Centre, earning a 9-4 victory.

The Sea Dogs kept it close through 40 minutes, tying the game at 3-3 in the second period, but the Mooseheads always seemed to have an answer for Saint John's momentum pushes. After Brady Burns tied the game with his second of the night in the middle frame, Halifax retook the lead less than two minutes later. Saint John would get back within one late in the second, but that would be as close as they would get.

The Mooseheads led 5-4 after two but blew it open in the third, scoring four times.

Evan Boucher and Jordan Dumais each scored hat tricks for Halifax while solo markers came from Stephane Jr Huard, Brody Fournier and Reece Peitzsche. Mathis Rousseau made 28 stops in the win.

The Mooseheads ended a three-game losing streak with the victory.

Burns scored a pair of goals for Saint John while singles came from Sam-Luca Thifault and Cam MacDonald. Nikolas Hurtubise allowed nine goals on 37 shots in the loss.

This was just the second meeting of the season between the Sea Dogs and Mooseheads - and this was a much closer affair. Halifax blewout a depleted Saint John lineup 7-0 less than two weeks ago.

Game Day 18 & 19: at Halifax

HALIFAX - The Saint John Sea Dogs play the first of two tonight against the Halifax Mooseheads.

The Sea Dogs and Mooseheads meet this evening at 7 p.m. at Scotiabank Centre and again tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. This will be just the second and third meetings of the regular season between the two Maritimes Division rivals.

The Mooseheads sit atop the Maritimes with an 11-5-2-1 record but have lost three straight games. Saint John is coming off a 4-1 home win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs on Saturday, a result that ended a five-game losing streak.

TV/Radio/Stream: Eastlink (Friday)/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 5-11-0-1 for 11 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL) while the Mooseheads are 11-5-2-1 for 25 points (first Maritimes/second Eastern/fifth QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-1 home win over the Drummondville Voltigeurs on Saturday. Nico Laforge, Cam MacDonald, Nicolas Bilodeau and Nicholas Blagden scored for Saint John. Nikolas Hurtubise made 34 saves in the win. The Mooseheads are coming off a 7-4 loss in Bathurst on Wednesday. Evan Boucher, Stephane Jr Huard, Markus Vidicek and Brady Schultz scored for Halifax. Mathis Rousseau made 36 saves in the loss.

Blagden retires from hockey

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Nick Blagden is stepping away from hockey once again.

The Saint John Sea Dogs announced Thursday that the 20-year-old forward is retiring from the sport after rejoining the club on Nov. 5.

From the team's Facebook page:

After re-signing with the Sea Dogs earlier this month and thrilling fans with two great games in his return to TD Station last week, Nick Blagden has announced his retirement from hockey.

Thank you Nick, it was a pleasure to have you back at TD Station and we will be cheering you on as you continue your work in the mental health space!

Blagden appeared in four games with the Sea Dogs over the past few weeks, recording a goal and an assist. He gave the Sea Dogs some much needed veteran experience with several key players sidelined with injuries.

A Saint John area native, Blagden essentially announced his retirement from high level hockey in August, deciding to focus on his mental health advocacy work. Before rejoining the Sea Dogs, he had appeared in one game with the Southern Senior Hockey League's River Valley Rock, recording a goal and an assist.

Blagden, known as a gritty and physical third/fourth line type of player, had a goal, an assist and 25 penalty minutes in 20 games with the Sea Dogs last season. He appeared in one playoff game.

The Sea Dogs have struggled to dress three overage players all season with Nikolas Hurtubise, Brady Burns and Charlie DesRoches all missing time with injuries at some point. Marshall Lessard was traded to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

The Dogs return to action on Friday and Saturday, visiting the Maritimes Division-leading Halifax Mooseheads.

Some Wednesday West Coast notes

PORTLAND, OR - Greetings from sunny Portland (the Oregon one), where the Winterhawks are rolling.

The Winterhawks improved to 14-1-1-1 following a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Hitmen Tuesday night at the historic Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Portland sits first in the Western Hockey League's Western Conference, five points up on the Seattle Thunderbirds who are loading up for a big run.

The Winnipeg Ice still sit first in the WHL standings with an impressive 18-1-0-0 record.

Some other news and notes...

• The Veterans Memorial Coliseum is quite a building. Really cool that a CHL team is the arena's main tenant. There was a small crowd on Tuesday (announced attendance was 2,220) with the NBA's Trail Blazers playing next door, which is presumably less than ideal for the Winterhawks.
• Went to a Seattle Thunderbirds game on Saturday and was really impressed with the atmosphere. One of the better regular season junior games I've seen in a long time. The Hitmen won 2-1 in overtime in what was Luke Prokop's first home game as a Thunderbird.
• The Quebec Remparts continue to sit first in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League standings with a 17-1-0-1 record. They'll face their biggest challenge of the season this week, facing the second-place Sherbrooke Phoenix on Wednesday and Sunday.
• This week on The Hockey News On The Q podcast, we're joined by Victoriaville Tigres head coach Carl Mallette; we take a look at the Los Angeles Kings' QMJHL prospects; Moncton's Etienne Morin is in the 2023 NHL Draft spotlight; and we run through some league news.
• The Drummondville Voltigeurs have fired head coach Steve Hartley. General manager Philippe Boucher will be the team's head coach on an interim basis. The Volts are 10-9-0-0 this season, which included a 4-1 loss in Saint John on Saturday.
• The Sea Dogs return to action on Friday, visiting the Halifax Mooseheads. The Sea Dogs and Mooseheads meet again on Saturday afternoon at Scotiabank Centre. Note that Saturday's game is a 2 p.m. start.
• Former Sea Dogs forward Josh Lawrence has been named to the QMJHL's Team of the Week. After being held pointless in his first six games with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Lawrence has been held without a point just twice. He has goals in four straight games, scoring a total of nine times in that stretch.

Video: Zboril scores first NHL goal; Bezeau nets first pro marker

Embed from Getty Images

It was a long wait, but Jakub Zboril has finally scored his first career NHL goal.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman scored what proved to be the game-winner in the Boston Bruins' 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

Jakub Zboril's first career NHL goal comes at a great time.

2-1 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/UaoSUX9Nku

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) November 13, 2022

Zboril finished the game with one shot on goal and a +1 rating in 11:36 of ice time.

"I've waited long enough for it. It feels really good to finally be rewarded." -- Jakub Zboril on his first NHL goal pic.twitter.com/RuB6bQZe4M

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 13, 2022

The 25-year-old spent three seasons in Saint John before graduating to the professional ranks. He made his NHL debut during the 2018-19 campaign and has appeared in 65 games with the Boston Bruins over four seasons. He missed most of last year recovering from surgery.

Recap: Sea Dogs win 4-1

FINAL: Drummondville 1, Saint John 4

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs ended a five-game losing streak on Saturday at TD Station.

Four different players scored as the Sea Dogs posted a 4-1 victory over the Drummondville Voltigeurs. It was Saint John's first victory since Oct. 28.

The Sea Dogs, still dealing with some injuries to key players, made the most of their limited scoring opportunities, netting four goals on just 20 shots. Only 10 of Saint John's shots were listed as "dangerous."

Saint John got a strong performance in net from Nikolas Hurtubise, who rebounded from Thursday's loss that saw him surrender seven goals on 40 shots. Hurtubise made 34 stops on Saturday to earn the victory.

Nico Laforge, Cam MacDonald, Nicolas Bilodeau and Nick Blagden scored for Saint John. Vincent Despont recorded two assists.

Tyler Peddle netted Drummondville's lone goal. Jacob Goobie made 16 saves in the loss.

Video: Villeneuve scores first pro goal

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

William Villeneuve scored his first career professional goal on Friday.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman scored at 15:35 of the second period in the Toronto Marlies' 5-4 overtime loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Villeneuve's goal made it 4-1 Marlies at the time.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL 1ST PRO GOAL 😍. . pic.twitter.com/DVaGQyzDnS

— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) November 12, 2022

Villeneuve finished the game with a goal, an assist, one shot and a +1 rating. The 20-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs prospect now has a goal and four assists in eight games with the Marlies.

The Marlies sit second in the AHL's Eastern Conference with an 8-2-1-0 record.

Several members of Saint John's 2022 Memorial Cup championship team have scored their first career pro goals already this season. Villeneuve joins Jeremie Poirier (AHL Calgary), William Dufour (AHL Bridgeport), Philippe Daoust (AHL Belleville), Vincent Sevigny (AHL Bridgeport) and Ryan Francis (ECHL Trois-Rivieres).

Game Day 17: vs Voltigeurs

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs will try, once again, to snap a losing streak tonight at TD Station.

The Sea Dogs enter action tonight on a five-game losing skid after falling 8-4 to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Thursday. Penalties were a big problem for Saint John in that contest, something they'll no doubt try and correct tonight.

The Sea Dogs will face the Drummondville Voltigeurs for the first time this season. The Volts have won three straight, the latest being a 5-2 win in Moncton last night.

Game time tonight is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 4-11-0-1 for nine points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL) while the Voltigeurs are 10-7-0-0 for 20 points (third Central/fifth Western/seventh QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off an 8-4 loss to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Thursday at TD Station. Brady Burns scored twice while singles came from Nick Blagden and Vince Elie. Nikolas Hurtubise allowed seven goals on 40 shots in 52 minutes of action. Ventsislav Shingarov allowed a goal on nine shots in relief. The Voltigeurs are coming off a 5-2 win in Moncton last night. Sam Oliver, Mikael Diotte, Jeremy Lapointe, Charles-Antoine Dumont and Tyler Peddle scored for Drummondville. Kevyn Brassard made 20 stops in the victory.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 8-4

FINAL: Chicoutimi 8, Saint John 4

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The Chicoutimi Sagueneens doubled up the Saint John Sea Dogs on Thursday night at TD Station.

The Sags scored three times in the third period to earn an 8-4 victory in what was a wild and eventful game at times. Chicoutimi recorded 49 shots on goal thanks to the seven power play opportunities they were awarded.

The penalties made it difficult for Saint John to get into a groove in this game. The Sea Dogs had a strong second period, getting within a goal of the Sags. It looked as though Vince Elie had tied the match at 5-5 just 4:39 into the middle frame but the goal was called back, presumably due to an offside. Saint John would not score again.

For two teams that rarely play each other, this was a testy and physical game at times. Even the two coaching staffs were having some heated exchanges.

Fabrice Fortin had a hat trick for Chicoutimi; Zachary Gravel scored twice; and singles came from Eliott Robert, Peteris Bulans and Jacob Newcombe. Charles-Antoine Lavallee made 21 stops in the win.

Brady Burns scored a pair of goals for Saint John while Elie and Nick Blagden added singles. Nikolas Hurtubise allowed seven goals on 40 shots before being replaced by Ventsislav Shingarov late in the third. Shingarov allowed a goal on nine shots in relief.

Saint John has now dropped five straight games, allowing seven or more goal in three of their past four matches.

Game Day 16: vs Sagueneens

SAINT JOHN - The Saint John Sea Dogs will look to rebound from a tough week tonight at TD Station.

The Sea Dogs dropped all three of their games last week and were outscored a combined 18-3 in the process. That included back-to-back shutout losses to the Cape Breton Eagles and Halifax Mooseheads.

Saint John will look to end a four-game losing streak when they host the Chicoutimi Sagueneens this evening. It's the first meeting of the year between the two.

Game time is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 4-10-0-1 for nine points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL) while the Sagueneens are 7-11-0-0 for 14 points (fourth East/seventh Eastern/14th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 7-0 loss in Halifax on Sunday. Ventsislav Shingarov made 30 stops in the loss. The Sagueneens are coming off a 12-4 loss in Rimouski on Tuesday. Zachary Gravel scored twice for Chicoutimi while singles came from Emile Duquet and Emmanuel Vermette. Luciano Ruggiero allowed nine goals on 25 shots in two periods of work. Mareck Jean allowed three goals on nine shots in the third.

Some Wednesday night notes

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

It's been a rollercoaster of a couple weeks for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Two weeks ago, the Sea Dogs pulled off an upset win over the Gatineau Olympiques and followed that up with a strong 6-1 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan one night later. They then held a 2-0 lead on the road against the Moncton Wildcats before falling in a shootout.

Things were looking good - but injuries to key players led the Sea Dogs into a rough week.

Saint John dropped all three games they played last week, falling 7-3 in Charlottetown before being shutout by both the Cape Breton Eagles and Halifax Mooseheads. The Sea Dogs were outscored 18-3 last week.

The Sea Dogs now sit last overall in the QMJHL standings with a 4-10-0-1 record. Although they'll still be missing some key players, Saint John will look to turn things around this week on home ice when they host the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Thursday and Drummondville Voltigeurs on Saturday.

Saint John has not faced either team so far this season - but Quebec opponents have not been kind. The Dogs are 1-5-0-0 against teams from outside the Maritimes with their lone victory being that 6-5 home win over the Olympiques.

A few other notes...

• This week on The Hockey News on the Q, Will MacLaren and I discuss some recent jersey retirements; QMJHL alumni in the Edmonton Oilers system; Halifax's Mathieu Cataford is in the 2023 NHL Draft spotlight; and we go over some of the top performers from the past week.
• Saint John's next five home games are all against Quebec-based teams.
• Tuesday was an odd night in the QMJHL: Cape Breton won a third straight game; Halifax blew-out Moncton; Rimouski scored 12 goals on Chicoutimi; and Shawinigan upset Sherbrooke.
• The Cape Breton Eagles have now won three straight games, defeating Halifax, Saint John and Bathurst.
• The Quebec Remparts, 15-1-0-1, are on pace for a QMJHL record 124 points in the regular season.
• Former Sea Dog Josh Lawrence had a hat trick and one assist in the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada's 8-5 loss in Moncton on Sunday.
• Halifax's Jordan Dumais had a goal and five assists in Halifax's 8-3 win over Moncton on Tuesday. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect now leads the league in scoring with 38 points in 16 games. He's on pace for 162 points.
• Teams that competed at the 2022 Memorial Cup as of Wednesday night: Saint John is 4-10-0-1 (last overall in the QMJHL); Hamilton is 4-7-1-0 (last overall in OHL); Shawinigan is 6-10-0-2 (15th overall in QMJHL); and Edmonton is 2-13-1-0 (last overall in WHL).

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 7-0

FINAL: Saint John 0, Halifax 7

HALIFAX - The Saint John Sea Dogs were shutout for a second straight game on Sunday afternoon in Halifax.

The Halifax Mooseheads scored three time in both the second and third periods in a 7-0 win over the Sea Dogs at Scotiabank Centre. Saint John was also shutout, 4-0, by the Cape Breton Eagles on Saturday night.

Jordan Dumais netted a hat trick for Halifax while singles came from Cameron Whynot, Stephane Jr Houde, Mathieu Cataford and Brody Fournier. Mathis Rousseau stopped all 23 shots he faced in the shutout victory.

Ventsislav Shingarov, who did not play on Saturday in Sydney, stopped 30 saves in the loss.

Saint John, missing key veteran forwards Peter Reynolds, Cam MacDonald and Brady Burns along with defenseman Charlie DesRoches, were outmatched by Halifax for much of the game. Other than a few good stretches in the second period, the Sea Dogs once again struggled to generate quality scoring chances. Saint John registered 14 dangerous shots in the loss.

Game Day 15: at Halifax

HALIFAX - The Saint John Sea Dogs face a major test this afternoon in Halifax.

The Sea Dogs, who have lost six straight road games, face the Maritimes Division leading Halifax Mooseheads at 2 p.m. at Scotiabank Centre. It's the first meeting of the season between the two.

Halifax has lived up to expectations this season, posting a 9-2-2-1 record to place them third overall in the QMJHL standings. They have yet to lose in regulation on home ice.

Saint John has struggled to generate quality scoring chances over the past few games. The team was without key forwards Brady Burns, Peter Reynolds and Cam MacDonald in last night's 4-0 loss in Cape Breton.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 4-9-0-1 for nine points (fifth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/17th QMJHL) while the Mooseheads are 9-2-2-1 for 21 points (first Maritimes/second Eastern/third QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 4-0 loss in Cape Breton last night. Olivier Brideau made 35 saves the loss. The Mooseheads are coming off a 5-3 loss in Cape Breton on Friday. Braedon MacPhee, Jack Martin and Mathieu Cataford scored for Halifax. Brady James made 22 saves in the loss.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 4-0

FINAL: Saint John 0, Cape Breton 4

SYDNEY, NS - The Saint John Sea Dogs were shutout for a second time this season on Saturday night.

The Sea Dogs registered just 11 dangerous shots in a 4-0 loss to the last-place Cape Breton Eagles at Centre 200. Saint John was also shutout less than a month ago, falling 7-0 in Victoriaville on Oct. 16.

Saint John was without three of their top forwards for this game: Brady Burns, Peter Reynolds and Cam MacDonald. The Dogs were without Reynolds and MacDonald on Wednesday in Charlottetown and recorded just nine dangerous shots in a 7-3 loss.

Saint John got into penalty trouble once again, allowing the Eagles to score two power play goals on seven opportunities. Saint John's power play continued to struggled, going 0/6.

Jeremy Langlois, Charles Boutin, Samuel Johnson and Jordan Cote scored for Cape Breton. Oliver Satny made 24 saves in the shutout victory.

Olivier Brideau made 35 saves in the loss. Brideau was also in net for Saint John's shutout loss in Victoriaville.

Blagden back with Sea Dogs

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SYDNEY, NS - Nick Blagden is back with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs announced Saturday that they've signed the 20-year-old forward. Blagden, acquired at last year's holiday trade deadline from the Moncton Wildcats, helped Saint John win the Memorial Cup in June.

From the team's release:

This addition gives the Sea Dogs four overage players on their roster as Blagden joins Brady Burns, Nikolas Hurtubise, and captain Charlie DesRoches.

“We are excited to have Nick back with the team,” said Sea Dogs president and general manager, Trevor Georgie. “He brings a lot of presence, character, and physicality to our lineup. The 20-year old rule is such a challenging one, but we have run into a number of injuries and the silver lining is that we have the opportunity to welcome Nick back.”

Sea Dogs leading scorer Brady Burns and goaltender Nikolas Hurtubise are not expected to play this weekend due to injuries.

Blagden is listed on Saint John's fourth line for Saturday's 7 p.m. road game against the Cape Breton Eagles. The Sea Dogs are without veteran forwards Peter Reynolds, Cam MacDonald and Brady Burns due to injuries.

Saint John has struggled to dress three overage players this year. Hurtubise has been hurt most of the season while Marshall Lessard was also hurt most of the year before being traded to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

Blagden, known as a gritty and physical third/fourth line type of player, had a goal, an assist and 25 penalty minutes in 20 games with the Sea Dogs last season. He appeared in one playoff game.

A Saint John area native, Blagden essentially announced his retirement from high level hockey in August, deciding to focus on his mental health advocacy work. He has appeared in one game with the Southern Senior Hockey League's River Valley Rock this year, recording a goal and an assist.

The Sea Dogs visit the Eagles on Saturday night and Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday afternoon.

Game Day 14: at Cape Breton

SYDNEY, NS - The Saint John Sea Dogs return to action tonight, visiting the Cape Breton Eagles for the first time this season.

The Sea Dogs are coming off a rough 7-3 loss in Charlottetown on Wednesday. Saint John has struggled on the road this season, posting a 1-4-0-1 record. They have lost five straight road games.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are coming off their first home win of the season, defeating the Halifax Mooseheads 5-3 last night at Centre 200. Cape Breton sits last overall in the QMJHL standings with a 2-8-2-0 record, placing them three points back of Saint John.

Game time tonight at Centre 200 is 7 p.m.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 4-8-0-1 for nine points (fifth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/17th QMJHL) while the Eagles are 2-8-2-0 for six points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/18th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 7-3 loss in Charlottetown on Wednesday. Vince Elie, Noah Reinhart and Jared Cosman scored for Saint John. Ventsislav Shingarov made 35 saves in the loss. The Eagles are coming off a 5-3 win over the Halifax Mooseheads last night at Centre 200. Trevor Thurston, Cam Squires, Cameron Henderson, Xavier Daigle and Olivier Houde scored for Cape Breton. Nicolas Ruccia made 36 saves in the win.

Sea Dogs call up Calder, Bellemare

The Saint John Sea Dogs have added some reinforcements for the weekend.

The team announced Friday that forwards Reid Calder and Chad Bellemare have been called up. Saint John dressed 11 forwards on Wednesday night in Charlottetown with Peter Reynolds, Cam MacDonald and Tomasz Szczerba all out with injuries.

The Sea Dogs have called up prospects Reid Calder and Chad Bellemare to play this weekend.

Calder is a Saint John local and has 12 points in 9 games so far this season with @sjvitoshockey

Bellemare has netted 17 points in 19 GP this season with the @VikingsAAA pic.twitter.com/1TmqBhBUgw

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) November 4, 2022

Calder, a seventh-round pick of the Sea Dogs in the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft, has six goals and six assists with the Saint John Vito's this season. He's also appeared in one Maritime Hockey League contest with the Grand Falls Rapids. The Saint John native had a goal and two helpers in four pre-season games with the Sea Dogs.

Bellemare, a fourth-round pick of Saint John in the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft, already has 12 goals and five assists with the Saint-Eustache Vikings this year. Bellemare had a goal in three pre-season games with the Sea Dogs.

Calder and Bellemare, assuming they play, will both make their QMJHL debuts this weekend. Defenseman Jeremie Richard (third-round) and forward Jacob Beaulieu (seventh-round) are the only members of Saint John's 2022 draft class to suit up for games so far this season.

The Sea Dogs visit the Cape Breton Eagles on Saturday night and Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday afternoon.

Sea Dogs have struggled on the road

Micheal Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs will try to do something this weekend they've done only once this season: win a road game.

The Sea Dogs are 1-4-0-1 away from TD Station this year and have been outscored 33-12 in those six games. Saint John's lone road win came on opening night (Sept. 25) in Bathurst when they posted a 4-3 victory over the Titan.

Here's a look at Saint John's road results so far:

Sept. 25 at Bathurst: 4-3 win

Oct. 14 at Sherbrooke: 6-1 loss

Oct. 15 at Quebec: 7-2 loss

Oct. 16 at Victoriaville: 7-0 loss

Oct. 30 at Moncton: 3-2 shootout loss

Nov. 2 at Charlottetown: 7-3 loss

Saint John's special teams have struggled overall, but especially on the road. The team's power play is operating at 10% and the penalty kill is running at 68.4%.

One positive is that the Sea Dogs are a decent 1-1-0-1 against Maritimes Division opponents on the road - a good sign heading into the next two games (and the rest of the season). Saint John visits two divisional opponents this weekend: Saturday they travel to Cape Breton (1-8-2-0 overall and 0-3-1-0 at home) and Sunday they visit Halifax (8-1-2-1 overall and 3-0-1-1 at home).

Road struggles are common amongst rebuilding clubs. Saint John went 6-24-4-0 on the road in 2017-18 and 4-26-0-4 in 2018-19.

Notebook: Sevigny, Dufour shine in win

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Tuesday morning/afternoon was a big one for a couple of former Saint John Sea Dogs.

Defenseman Vincent Sevigny scored his first American Hockey League goal while William Dufour netted the shootout winner.

Here's Sevigny's goal, which opened the scoring at 6:10 of the first period.

Sevigny 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/YHGkBF6zJY

— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) November 1, 2022

And here's Dufour's shootout winner (note that Sevigny is the first off the bench to congratulate him).

DUFOUR ‼️ pic.twitter.com/CUa928kObV

— Bridgeport Islanders (@AHLIslanders) November 1, 2022

The Bridgeport Islanders defeated the Charlotte Checkers 4-3 in a school day game.

Sevigny now has a goal and an assist in three games with the Islanders while Dufour has three goals and an assist in eight contests.

Riley Bezeau was in the Checkers lineup, recording two shots and a -1 rating. Tuesday's match was just his second game of the season.

BILODEAU IMPRESSING

One Sea Dogs rookie who is starting to get some attention: defenseman Nicolas Bilodeau.

Bilodeau, a fourth-round pick of the Sea Dogs in the 2021 QMJHL Entry Draft, has looked calm and comfortable on the backend for an inexperienced 17-year-old. He has five assists in 13 games this season.

Here's Craig Eagles' take on the d-man.

The @monctonwildcats winning ways continue, they beat the @SJSeaDogs in a shootout today at the @AvenirCentre, a young Sea Dogs defender is the subject of this @_Neutral_Zone Parking Lot Postgame #PLPG @QMJHL pic.twitter.com/QXRoedwuGB

— Craig Eagles (@Eags37) October 30, 2022

Bilodeau captained the Gatineau L'Intrepide last season, posting nine goals and 30 points in 39 regular season games.

Recap: Sea Dogs lose 7-3

FINAL: Saint John 3, Charlottetown 7

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

CHARLOTTETOWN - The Charlottetown Islanders didn't have any problems scoring goals on Wednesday night at Eastlink Centre.

The Islanders put seven goals on the board in a 7-3 win over the Saint John Sea Dogs. The Islanders entered the game averaging just 2.60 goals per game, the second fewest in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Jakub Brabenec scored twice for Charlottetown while Lucas Romeo, Giovanni Morneau, Peter Repcik, Jarrett Todd and Jeremie Biakabutuka added solo markers. Francesco Lapenna made 16 saves in the win.

Vince Elie, Noah Reinhart and Jared Cosman scored for Saint John. Ventsislav Shingarov made 35 stops in the loss.

Saint John was sloppy defensively at times, which led to Charlottetown scoring chances. The Sea Dogs struggled to generate quality chances of their own, recording just nine dangerous shots in this game. The absences of Cam MacDonald and Peter Reynolds were felt.

The Islanders opened the scoring at 9:20 of the first when Michael Horth fed Brabenec with a backhand pass, allowing the import forward to fire a one time shot top corner on Shingarov. Then at 18:35, Romeo danced around Vincent Despont and beat the Sea Dogs netnimder five hole to give Charlottetown a 2-0 advantage after 20 minutes.

Elie got Saint John on the board at 9:08 of the second, beating Lapenna upstairs after a nice, short feed from Cole Burbidge. But Charlottetown quickly responded at 10:54 with Morneau redirecting a point shot.

The Islanders made it a 4-1 game at 15:25 when Ross Campbell sent Repcik in alone, beating Shingarov with a backhand shot five hole. Not long after at 18:08, Brett Arsenault and Todd went in on a short two-on-none with Todd finishing off the play, giving Charlottetown a commanding 5-1 lead. Reinhart scored at 19:26, making it a 5-2 game through two periods.

Cosman got Saint John back within a pair at 6:21 of the third, showing off some patience and toe dragging around a couple Islanders before ripping a wrist shot past Lapenna. Charlottetown got some insurance at 13:40 when Brabenec went coast-to-coast on a power play to make it 6-3. Biakabutuka made it a 7-3 final with another power play goal with 16 seconds remaining.

Game Day 13: at Charlottetown

CHARLOTTETOWN - The Saint John Sea Dogs will look to end some road woes tonight.

The Sea Dogs travel to Charlottetown to face the Islanders tonight at 7 p.m. Saint John has struggled away from TD Station so far this year, posting a 1-3-0-1 record on the road. Their lone road victory was on opening night in Bathurst.

Saint John is coming off an impressive week. After losing six straight, the Sea Dogs earned five of a possible six points, defeating the Gatineau Olympiques and Acadie-Bathurst Titan on home ice before falling to the Moncton Wildcats in a shootout on Sunday.

The Islanders have just one more win than the Sea Dogs this season and have dropped two straight. Saint John earned a 7-4 win over Charlottetown on Oct. 7 at TD Station.

TV/Radio/Stream: None/93 CFBC/CHL TV

2022-23 regular season records: The Sea Dogs are 4-7-0-1 for nine points (fifth Maritimes/ninth Eastern/17th QMJHL) while the Islanders are 5-7-1-0 for 11 points (third Maritimes/seventh Eastern/14th QMJHL).

Last games: The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss in Moncton on Sunday. Charlie DesRoches and Connor Trenholm scored for Saint John. Ventsislav Shingarov made 24 saves in the loss. The Islanders are coming off a 5-1 loss in Rimouski on Sunday. Michael Horth scored Charlottetown's lone goal. Francesco Lapenna made 30 stops in the loss.