First round playoff schedule released

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - The schedule for the first round playoff series between the Saint John Sea Dogs and Gatineau Olympiques has been released.

The first round returns to a best-of-seven format this year and, as expected, long distance series will follow the 2-3-2 scheduling setup. The Saint John/Gatineau series begins Friday at the Slush Puppie Centre.

Here is the full schedule (all times in Atlantic):

Friday, March 31 - 8 p.m. at Gatineau

Saturday, April 1 - 5 p.m. at Gatineau

Tuesday, April 4 - 7 p.m. at Saint John

Wednesday, April 5 - 7 p.m. at Saint John

Friday, April 7 - 7 p.m. at Saint John*

Monday, April 10 - 8 p.m. at Gatineau*

Tuesday, April 11 - 8 p.m. at Gatineau*

*If necessary

This will be the first "normal" post-season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League since 2019. The 2020 playoffs were cancelled by COVID; the 2021 playoffs had an odd format due to pandemic restrictions; and last year's playoffs required mostly best-of-five series in order to squeeze in the full regular season.

Saint John has, technically, not missed the playoffs since 2019. The team has, however, not won a playoff round since 2017. The Sea Dogs will be major underdogs in their series with the Olympiques.

This will be the third all-time playoff meeting between the Sea Dogs and Olympiques. Saint John won the previous two.