MHL playoffs underway for ex-Dogs

Summerside Western Capitals

The Maritime Junior Hockey League playoffs are underway.

On Friday, the Truro Bearcats defeated the Pictou County Weeks Crushers 6-0 while the Chaleur Lightning edged the Grand Falls Rapids 4-3. Former Saint John Sea Dogs forwards Jonah Leard and Coen Miller scored for the Rapids in the loss.

On Saturday, the other two series begin. The Amherst Ramblers will take on the Summerside Western Capitals while the Edmundston Blizzard will face the West Kent Steamers.

There are a number of former Sea Dogs on MHL playoff rosters.

Amherst Ramblers: Darien Reynolds and Jeremie Richard

Chaleur Lightning: Ben Cross and Jesse Dunlap (affiliate)

Edmundston Blizzard: None

Grand Falls Rapids: Coen Miller, Jonah Leard and Reid Calder

Pictou County Weeks Crushers: Mitchell Wagner

Summerside Western Capitals: Matthew MacLean and Justin Robinson

Truro Bearcats: None

West Kent Steamers: None

The Rapids are coached by former Sea Dogs coaches Greg Leland and Jeff Cowan. The Rapids finished first in the North Division and are making their first playoff appearance.

The Western Capitals, who are hosting the Centennial Cup national championship in May, finished first overall in the league standings.

Ben Cross, who played 60 games with the Sea Dogs last season, finished second in MHL scoring with 78 points in 51 games. He led the league in goals with 42.

Coen Miller, who appeared in 23 games with Saint John last season, finished 10th in league scoring with 67 points (28 goals and 39 assists) in 42 games.

Teams not making the playoffs include the Yarmouth Mariners, Campbellton Tigers, Miramichi Timberwolves and Valley Wildcats.

The MHL playoffs can be watched on FloHockey.