Sea Dogs, Voltigeurs series begins Friday

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

For the first time, the Saint John Sea Dogs will face the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the playoffs.

The Sea Dogs locked up the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot on Saturday, meaning they will crossover into the Western Conference and play the No. 1 seeded Voltigeurs. The series, which will be a 2-3-2 scheduling format, begins Friday at the Marcel Dionne Centre.

The series will shift to Saint John for Game 3. Here's a look at the full schedule.

Game 1: Friday, March 29 at Drummondville

Game 2: Saturday, March 30 at Drummondville

Game 3: Tuesday, April 2 at Saint John

Game 4: Wednesday, April 3 at Saint John

Game 5: Friday, April 5 at Saint John*

Game 6: Monday, April 8 at Drummondville*

Game 7: Tuesday, April 9 at Drummondville*

*if necessary

All games in Drummondville begin at 8 p.m. Atlantic. The games in Saint John begin at 7 p.m.

The Sea Dogs will be massive underdogs in this series. The Voltigeurs finished 53 points ahead of the Sea Dogs in the standings and are serious contenders to lift the Gilles Courteau Trophy in May. This will be an even tougher challenge than what Saint John faced last year when they took on the Gatineau Olympiques in the opening round — where the Sea Dogs did manage to win one game.

At minimum, this will give Saint John's rookies and younger players some insights into the level they'll need to reach to become a championship caliber team down the road.

Drummondville won both games in the season series, defeating Saint John 6-1 on Dec. 6 and 9-2 on Feb. 24.

There are a couple familiar names on the Voltigeurs. Noah Reinhart will make his return to TD Station while Sam Oliver will face his hometown team. The Sea Dogs, meanwhile, feature former Voltigeurs Tyler Peddle and Drew Elliott.