Dogs look to end home struggles vs 'Cats

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

If the Saint John Sea Dogs want to make an early season statement, Friday's home opener might just be the place to do it.

The Sea Dogs will host the Moncton Wildcats on Friday at TD Station. The Wildcats are coming off back-to-back seasons of 50 wins or more and league final appearances. Moncton has also been dominant in Saint John during that run – and beyond.

According to the league's media report, the Wildcats are 16-0-1-0 at TD Station over the past four seasons. That includes going 4-0 last season, outscoring Saint John 21-10.

Moncton 5 @ Saint John 2 (Feb 6 2026) 

Moncton 4 @ Saint John 2 (Dec 7 2025) 

Moncton 8 @ Saint John 4 (Nov 21 2025) 

Moncton 4 @ Saint John 2 (Nov 2 2025)

When you look back on the performances of the two teams over the past few years, it does make sense that the results lean in Moncton's favour. But it's hard to believe the Sea Dogs haven't been able to sneak out a regulation win or two – especially when you consider Saint John is a surprising 5-10-1-1 at Avenir Centre over that same time frame.

These numbers don't include last year's first-round playoff series, which the Wildcats won in a four-game sweep. Moncton outscored Saint John 13-3 in the two games at TD Station.

Saint John's last regulation win over Moncton on TD Station ice came on March 25, 2022.

In a way, it feels like the Sea Dogs have some demons to exercise this season, demons that have come from a decade of struggles. They did that last week, winning the franchise's first game in Newfoundland since 2008. On Friday, they'll try and keep that trend going.

A few other news and notes...

• Saint John's last home opener against the Wildcats was back in 2024. Moncton won that game 3-0.
• Saint John's top four point producers against the Wildcats last season are all back: Olivier Groulx (10 points), Alexander Donovan (nine), Alexis Joseph (nine) and Zachary Morin (seven).
• Niko Tournas had nearly a goal-per-game against Saint John last season, posting seven goals and five assists in eight meetings.
• Overall, the Sea Dogs struggled on home ice last season, going 11-19-2-0. They had more wins on the road (12) than at home. Only three teams had equal or fewer wins at home last season: Rimouski (11), Victoriaville (10) and Baie-Comeau (seven).
• Game time Friday is 7 p.m.