tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64273257160386492992024-03-29T08:31:38.981-03:00Station NationBlogging the Saint John Sea DogsJamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.comBlogger7610125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-71158271280247089052024-03-29T08:30:00.006-03:002024-03-29T08:30:51.991-03:00First round QMJHL playoff predictions<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4J8jkOaqpvtnbMWGdlOit3ATbnFigEH-9Abhjs8Mzk7DDIVboQa6hrFNZGx42l-nhQtUNMlDh7OvkfYW_Y5ASSZUQfOluhwmxoW9ZxWPW_lK1fnrw4ybouWxwLDJPPrzQfqhP4xQ7YMcpvS4BQqjnOEjHzmvSL66iBiH-ofaIdfJrieBloEMOSY3/s2048/433934494_947388823935713_1943434642503022841_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="2048" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4J8jkOaqpvtnbMWGdlOit3ATbnFigEH-9Abhjs8Mzk7DDIVboQa6hrFNZGx42l-nhQtUNMlDh7OvkfYW_Y5ASSZUQfOluhwmxoW9ZxWPW_lK1fnrw4ybouWxwLDJPPrzQfqhP4xQ7YMcpvS4BQqjnOEjHzmvSL66iBiH-ofaIdfJrieBloEMOSY3/w400-h260/433934494_947388823935713_1943434642503022841_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table>It's that time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The QMJHL playoffs get rolling tonight with all eight matchups beginning. Here are my picks for the opening round.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Eastern Conference </b></h3><div><b>1. Baie-Comeau vs 8. Charlottetown — Drakkar in 4</b></div><div>It's never a great idea to bet against Jim Hulton when it comes to playoff style hockey. But the Islanders are deep into the early stages of a rebuild and just don't have a lot of depth. The Drakkar are on the opposite end of the rebuild cycle and are poised for a deep playoff run after a tremendous regular season. The Henry Leonard Centre is going to be electric.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Halifax vs 7. Bathurst — Mooseheads in 5</b></div><div>What are we going to get from the Mooseheads in the playoffs? This team, even when somewhat healthy, just hasn't clicked at 100% since the trade deadline. They've looked great in some games but haven't found that consistency. They'll be without captain Jake Furlong all playoffs but will welcome back Jordan Dumais in Game 2. They struggled against Bathurst in the regular season and I don't think it'll be smooth sailing in this series — but I do think the Moose will pull it together and win this series with some tight wins.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Moncton vs 6. Chicoutimi — Sagueneens in 6</b></div><div>I just don't know what to expect from Moncton. There's a lot of pressure on the Wildcats and their coaching staff to prove that, after some ups and downs in the second half, they can turn it on consistently when it matters most. The Sags, meanwhile, have been one of the hottest teams in the second half. Interesting matchup between Caleb Desnoyers and Emile Guite. Only five points separated the teams, so this should be a good series.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. Cape Breton vs 5. Rimouski — Eagles in 5</b></div><div>The Eagles have been hot down the stretch and I think they'll stay hot in the opening round. The Oceanic have injury troubles in net, which is less than ideal. </div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Western Conference </b></h3><div><b>1. Drummondville vs 8. Saint John — Voltigeurs in 4</b></div><div>Sorry. The Voltigeurs could very well win the whole thing this season even without Maveric Lamoureux. Patrick Leaver will have to play his best games of the season for Saint John to have a chance.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Rouyn-Noranda vs 7. Gatineau — Huskies in 4</b></div><div>Like the Volts, the Huskies could win the whole thing. The Olympiques are starting a rebuild. Don't see Rouyn-Noranda having much trouble here.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Victoriaville vs 6. Shawinigan — Tigres in 5</b></div><div>The Cataractes had a decent season, finishing four games below .500. Could see them giving the Tigres a bit of a push, but not enough to win the series. Victoriaville also has Nathan Darveau in net, who will give them a chance in every series.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. Sherbrooke vs 5. Blainville-Boisbriand — Phoenix in 6</b></div><div>Two teams that weren't expected to do much this season could be facing off in one of the better series in the opening round. Only two points separated the two — but those two could be crucial. Sherbrooke has home ice and that's not an easy building to play in come playoffs. The Phoenix also have one of the league's best in net in Samuel St-Hilaire.</div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-41415252753599109862024-03-26T20:26:00.000-03:002024-03-26T20:26:02.639-03:00Sea Dogs slash ticket prices for playoffs <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiy-45WrV_wqI7Ut0upHdiBS05fn9FLdAwOvut6ibS-98dqF_jCj85m_jZV2ll09U9fjKlKkV7NpOisKwyBgfsCzTKxz8m8SWyajIg1pywBEjSg_T81FGv16cOCF44zooEcYfsKykV02UZWY9tVHZ0Rjx9zaH6m6xvTG5bQOs1bZu0nHfTVUPS-e6/s4032/IMG_6621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiy-45WrV_wqI7Ut0upHdiBS05fn9FLdAwOvut6ibS-98dqF_jCj85m_jZV2ll09U9fjKlKkV7NpOisKwyBgfsCzTKxz8m8SWyajIg1pywBEjSg_T81FGv16cOCF44zooEcYfsKykV02UZWY9tVHZ0Rjx9zaH6m6xvTG5bQOs1bZu0nHfTVUPS-e6/w400-h300/IMG_6621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Saint John Sea Dogs will offer the lowest playoff ticket prices in the CHL for their first round series against the Drummondville Voltigeurs.<div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs announced Monday that single game playoff tickets for the general public will be just $10 while season ticket members can purchase $7 tickets, plus taxes and fees.</div><div><br /></div><div>“We appreciate the support from our season ticket members and the region, and this is a small way for us to say thanks", said Sea Dogs president Trevor Georgie in a release. “We want to make it easy for everyone to come and support and be part of Sea Dogs playoff hockey.”</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs begin the playoffs in Drummondville with Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday night. The series shifts to Saint John for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John will be massive underdogs in this series — even more than last year when they went up against the Gatineau Olympiques, a series they did win one game in. The Sea Dogs haven't won a playoff series since 2017.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs made tickets $7 for Game 5 against Gatineau last year, attracting 4,796 fans. Games 3 and 4 at TD Station featured crowds of 1,487 and 1,568, respectively.</div><div><br /></div><div>The cheap tickets come after another rough season for the Sea Dogs at the box office. Saint John averaged 2,760 fans per game this season, which is down nearly 200 fans per game from last year. It's the lowest average the team has had in a season with no COVID restrictions.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" style="background-color: white; width: 460px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><b>Season</b></td><td><b>Total</b></td><td><b>Average</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>2005-06</td><td>156,694</td><td>4,477 (4th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2006-07</td><td>134,354</td><td>3,839 (6th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2007-08</td><td>139,214</td><td>3,978 (5th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2008-09</td><td>133,613</td><td>3,930 (5th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2009-10</td><td>140,779</td><td>4,141 (4th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2010-11</td><td>152,237</td><td>4,478 (4th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2011-12</td><td>155,060</td><td>4,561 (3rd)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2012-13</td><td>135,732</td><td>3,992 (4th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2013-14</td><td>116,380</td><td>3,423 (5th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2014-15</td><td>121,782</td><td>3,582 (5th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2015-16</td><td>123,399</td><td>3,629 (4th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2016-17</td><td>142,829</td><td>4,201 (3rd)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2017-18</td><td>144,723</td><td>4,257 (4th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2018-19</td><td>116,511</td><td>3,427 (5th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2019-20</td><td>107,042</td><td>3,345 (6th)*</td></tr>
<tr><td>2020-21</td><td>25,123</td><td>1,478 (3rd)**</td></tr>
<tr><td>2021-22</td><td>89,846</td><td>2,643 (5th)***</td></tr>
<tr><td>2022-23</td><td>100,536</td><td>2,957 (7th)</td></tr>
<tr><td>2023-24</td><td>93,850</td><td>2,760 (8th)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div><div><i>*Final two home games cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic</i></div><div><i>**All 17 home games played under COVID-19 capacity restrictions</i></div><div><i>***Three home games played under COVID-19 capacity restrictions</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The attendance numbers can't be good financially for the team and they certainly aren't fun for fans who sit in a building that is more than half empty most nights. Saint John is one of the few QMJHL teams that hasn't had the big bounce back from COVID.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John finished eighth in QMJHL average attendance, the lowest the team has ever placed. The Charlottetown Islanders are slowly creepy up on them (2,680) which would have been unfathomable a decade ago.</div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-26422284465257856102024-03-25T20:52:00.004-03:002024-03-25T20:55:10.460-03:00Some numbers from the season that was<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei8mngI3XeDYDwAn5dEcL0r3GfKZEJXCxryUCdDdKCHFJdxTU885oW0e6u1UfNxNEGtIZeQl2lyvuy8UNBKPK-iMxJDxNQHBFH3KIzTOi3NFVGOt2SnHLxtf7hdcqgKKndybMgIhuS1ITHF_7y4IZDSrs78TkRM1lkOAxy4MBAbLWP30l0l8-QOcU/s2048/433268243_949548760386386_6398035158614879409_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="2048" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei8mngI3XeDYDwAn5dEcL0r3GfKZEJXCxryUCdDdKCHFJdxTU885oW0e6u1UfNxNEGtIZeQl2lyvuy8UNBKPK-iMxJDxNQHBFH3KIzTOi3NFVGOt2SnHLxtf7hdcqgKKndybMgIhuS1ITHF_7y4IZDSrs78TkRM1lkOAxy4MBAbLWP30l0l8-QOcU/w400-h250/433268243_949548760386386_6398035158614879409_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table>It was a tale of two teams for the Saint John Sea Dogs in 2023-24.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rebuilding Sea Dogs entered the Christmas break — and the trade period — with a respectable 13-15-3-2 record. They went 7-24-2-2 the rest of the way, with three of those victories coming in the month of March to clinch the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>The situation is what it is. The Sea Dogs dealt many of their top, older players for assets that should help the team contend in a few years. It's short-term pain (in theory) for long-term gain (in theory) and it's the plan the franchise has executed — mostly with success — time and time again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John struggled at both ends of the ice this year. The team allowed a league worst 35.56 shots against per game which led to the second most goals against per game (4.26). They also recorded the fourth fewest shots per game (27.08) which led to the third fewest goals per game (2.69).</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a look at some other team stats from the season that was.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Saint John finished the regular season with a 20-39-5-4 record for 49 points, which is four fewer wins and five fewer points than they had last season.</li><li>The Sea Dogs went 11-17-3-3 at home and 9-22-2-1 on the road. Only the Val-d'Or Foreurs had fewer home wins.</li><li>Saint John finished ninth in penalty minutes per game (9.85). The league leader? The first-place Baie-Comeau Drakkar (12.03).</li><li>The Sea Dogs went 1-4 in shootouts.</li><li>Saint John was 13-7-4-0 when scoring first.</li><li>The Sea Dogs against each division:</li><ul><li>Maritimes:14-24-2-4</li><li>East: 2-4-2-0</li><li>Central: 2-6-0-0</li><li>West: 2-5-1-0</li></ul><li>The Sea Dogs had winning records against Bathurst (5-3-0-1), Val-d'Or (2-0-0-0) and, weirdly, Victoriaville (2-0-0-0).</li><li>Saint John had the third worst power play (17.1%) and the worst home power play (14.8%). They also had the fourth worst penalty kill (74%) and second worst road penalty kill (70.7%).</li><li>The team scored five shorthanded goals and allowed eight.</li><li>Saint John was outscored a combined 82-56 in first periods, 96-58 in second periods and 106-68 in third periods.</li><li>The Sea Dogs when leading after one? 10-4-2-0. When trailing after one? 2-27-2-1.</li><li>Saint John had the longest road losing streak at 13 games. Although it officially won't count, they carry that streak into the playoffs.</li><li>Saint John recorded 11 shots on March 9, which is officially a league low for a single game this year. That record is misleading though as this was the game where head coach Travis Crickard collapsed, leading to the cancellation of most of the third period.</li><li>The Sea Dogs had just four fights this season according to HockeyFights.com.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>And some individual stats.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Brody Fournier officially finished as Saint John's points leader with 52 and goals leader with 27. Defenseman Joseph Ianniello led the team in assists with 29.</li><li>Fournier played in 70 games this season thanks to the unbalanced schedule at the time of his trade. Tristan Roy also played in 70 games.</li><li>Ianniello was a team worst -38. Eriks Mateiko had an even rating.</li><li>Pavel Simek led the team in shots on goal.</li><li>Drew Elliott went 52.8% in faceoffs to lead the team.</li><li>No player that finished the year with Saint John averaged a point per game. Mateiko had the closest at 0.88.</li><li>Goaltender Patrick Leaver led the league in saves and, unfortunately, losses with 25.</li><li>Reid Calder was tied for the QMJHL rookie lead in major penalties with two.</li><li>Coen Miller had the fourth best shooting percentage (16.7%) amongst QMJHL rookies.</li><li>Here's one you probably wouldn't have guessed: Matteo Mann led all QMJHL defensemen in shooting percentage (15.8%). Mann scored six times on just 38 shots.</li><li>Fournier enters the playoffs with goals in five straight games.</li><li>Another unfortunate number: Nicolas Bilodeau was a -6 in Saint John's 9-2 loss in Drummondville on Feb. 24, which was the worst single game +/- rating in the league this season.</li><li>The nine goals Leaver allowed in that Drummondville game ties him for the league high in goals against in a single game with two other goaltenders.</li><li>Justin Robinson made 52 saves on Feb. 2 and Leaver made 51on Sept. 23, the second and third most saves made in a single game this season, respectively.</li><li>Leaver made 25 saves in the first period of Saint John's Feb. 15 game in Blainville-Boisbriand, the most saves by a goaltender in a single period this season.</li><li>If Peter Reynolds had stayed with the Sea Dogs but didn't play another game, he still would have finished second in team scoring (thanks to Mateiko missing time with an injury).</li></ul></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-28115598922188947262024-03-24T23:26:00.004-03:002024-03-24T23:26:36.878-03:00Notebook: Veterans finish hot<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NejqWT0zNeBrCrVgqA6cQXEATfH5rPtJkvLmv5Tm_nEyBq4OC9tKUhVQ3cp_ygMyqPDHl17EY36KFC1_QFb8b499mUZpFDMmTRkVzoxnNJgxPsHCepSGJ4pdXMuNS7_zzX2hA3PAquByLHeyGANq3lO_gAtQQ-vfWqAwLmd7AH43hzM5zAnhE4BO/s2048/432763380_949552263719369_7911697465014502963_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NejqWT0zNeBrCrVgqA6cQXEATfH5rPtJkvLmv5Tm_nEyBq4OC9tKUhVQ3cp_ygMyqPDHl17EY36KFC1_QFb8b499mUZpFDMmTRkVzoxnNJgxPsHCepSGJ4pdXMuNS7_zzX2hA3PAquByLHeyGANq3lO_gAtQQ-vfWqAwLmd7AH43hzM5zAnhE4BO/w400-h228/432763380_949552263719369_7911697465014502963_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Veteran players carried the Saint John Sea Dogs in the last five games of the regular season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overage forwards Brody Fournier and Drew Elliott each had strong offensive outputs to end the year while Tyler Peddle turned it on as well. Here's what all three produced in Saint John's final five games.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Tyler Peddle: six goals and three assists</div><div>Drew Elliott: four goals and one assist</div><div>Brody Fournier: six goals and three assists</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Fournier enters the playoffs with goals in five straight games.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs won three of their final six games and lost another in a shootout to clinch a playoff spot. 20-year-old goaltender Patrick Leaver played the entirety of those games.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's worth noting that Coen Miller had quite an end to his regular season as well, posting a goal and seven assists in his past five games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HOME RECORD</b></div><div>After much talk about Saint John's home woes all year, the Sea Dogs finish the regular season with an 11-17-3-3 record at TD Station.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's the sixth fewest wins the Sea Dogs have had on home ice in one season in team history. The record low is eight which was set in 2017-18 and the COVID year of 2020-21.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQFVGEXv3DCqiA6rRuWmR1spAANHF9oiD4Sd11TOndcduN92rbwlmdkXqRZOCEhHQlRaC1pxWk3_lvxTI5QOONDeoHdU6YZxOX314H_AGwDQsdsygAMKolyPhDF1-9qjOP33_cgbmhLv-UKmWtCjQescd0Cw_g065l4PwkdZTPW2hYYN_CqYPl2sR/s1332/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-24%20at%203.06.29%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1332" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQFVGEXv3DCqiA6rRuWmR1spAANHF9oiD4Sd11TOndcduN92rbwlmdkXqRZOCEhHQlRaC1pxWk3_lvxTI5QOONDeoHdU6YZxOX314H_AGwDQsdsygAMKolyPhDF1-9qjOP33_cgbmhLv-UKmWtCjQescd0Cw_g065l4PwkdZTPW2hYYN_CqYPl2sR/w400-h249/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-24%20at%203.06.29%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>Only the last-place Val-d'Or Foreurs had fewer home wins than Saint John this season. Val-d'Or had a 10-21-3-0 record on home ice.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PLAYOFF FOES</b></div><div>The Sea Dogs will face the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the playoffs for the first time.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Drummondville crossed off the list, the only teams the Sea Dogs haven't faced in post-season play are the Sherbrooke Phoenix and Quebec Remparts. It's worth noting that Saint John has never played the Charlottetown Islanders either but did play the PEI Rocket twice.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><b>MEMORIAL CUP TEAMS</b></div><div>All four teams from last year's Memorial Cup — host Kamloops Blazers, WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, OHL champion Peterborough Petes and QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts — did not qualify for the playoffs in their respective leagues.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Memorial Cup has been a 4 team tournament since 1983<br />I can confirm this is the first time since it became a 4 team tournament that all 4 participants missed the playoffs the following season.<br />Quebec, Seattle, Kamloops and Peterborough take a bow!</p>— Steve McLean (@SteveMcLean888) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveMcLean888/status/1771737566896656444?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>As for the four teams that played at the 2022 Memorial Cup in Saint John, here's how they performed this year.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Saint John (host): 20-39-5-4 (16th overall)</div><div>Shawinigan (QMJHL champion): 30-34-3-1 (12th overall)</div><div>Hamilton/Brantford (OHL champion): 37-20-9-2 (seventh overall)</div><div>Edmonton (WHL champion): 27-37-3-1 (18th overall)</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Of the four teams from the 2022 tournament, only the Edmonton Oil Kings missed the playoffs this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>CHAMPION OUT</b></div><div>This is hard to believe given recent trends, but the Quebec Remparts are just the seventh QMJHL champion to miss the playoffs the following year. Saint John is one those seven.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="fr">C’est la 7e fois de l’histoire que les champions de la <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoupeduPresident?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoupeduPresident</a> ratent les séries la saison suivante <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LHJMQ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LHJMQ</a><br /><br />84-85 Laval<br />00-01 Rimouski<br />05-06 Rimouski<br />17-18 Saint John<br />18-19 A-Bathurst<br />21-22 Victoriaville <br />23-24 Quebec<br /><br />Tendance à aller « all in » plus soutenue récemment</p>— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) <a href="https://twitter.com/StephRDSJunior/status/1771677615780213105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2024</a></blockquote></div><b> MAINE FALLS IN SEMIS</b><div>The Maine Black Bears fell 4-1 to Macklin Celebrini and the Boston University Terriers in the Hockey East semifinals on Friday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lynden Breen of Grand Bay-Westfield scored Maine's lone goal. Newfoundland's Ryan Greene scored a pair for BU.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite the loss, Maine still qualifies for the NCAA tournament, which is essentially college hockey's sweet 16. They'll play the Cornell Big Red in the opening round on Thursday in Springfield, MA.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PIPELINE SHOW</b></div><div>A bit dated now, but I went on The Pipeline Show this week to discuss the race for the QMJHL's final playoff spot.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨FULL Episode Available NOW🚨<br /><br />✅ <a href="https://twitter.com/ToddMilewski?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ToddMilewski</a> NCAA Conference Finals<br />✅ 2024 Draft Spotlight: Gavin Hodnett <a href="https://twitter.com/EdmOilKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EdmOilKings</a> <br />✅ <a href="https://twitter.com/QMJHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QMJHL</a> final weekend + playoff preview w/<a href="https://twitter.com/station_nation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@station_nation</a> <br /><br />🔊 <a href="https://t.co/Lqhlx2U9D5">https://t.co/Lqhlx2U9D5</a><br /><br />🐂 <a href="https://twitter.com/WilhaukJerky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WilhaukJerky</a> <br />🍻 <a href="https://twitter.com/TroubledMonk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TroubledMonk</a> <br />🏒 <a href="https://twitter.com/collegehockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@collegehockey</a> <a href="https://t.co/y6J7E20KEJ">pic.twitter.com/y6J7E20KEJ</a></p>— Guy Flaming (@TPS_Guy) <a href="https://twitter.com/TPS_Guy/status/1771300526317084744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div><b>OTHER STUFF</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sea Dogs goaltender Patrick Leaver played in some or all of Saint John's final nine games. He made the most saves of any goaltender in the QMJHL this season.</li><li>Officially, this is the fifth straight season the Sea Dogs have qualified for the playoffs. That includes the 2019-20 playoffs that weren't played and the provincial tournament thing in 2020-21. The Sea Dogs have not made it past the opening round of the playoffs since winning the President Cup in 2017.</li><li>Weather likely played a factor, but the Sea Dogs had 4,004 fans attend their regular season finale on Saturday, which has traditionally been the largest attended home game of the season. Saint John had 5,545 fans watch their final regular season game last year. The Sea Dogs didn't surpass the 5,000 fan mark for any home game this year.</li><li>In an intermission interview with Bruce Smith on Saturday, former Sea Dogs forward Peter Reynolds was asked about where he'll play next season. The overager said he'd look at pro possibilities as well as U Sports, noting a number of universities have expressed interest.</li><li>Joshua Roy's NHL season <a href="https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/status/1770983329300349034" target="_blank">is over</a> after getting injured by blocking shot last week. Roy recorded four goals and five assists in 23 games with the Montreal Canadiens.</li><li>The Val-d'Or Foreurs finished the regular season on a 15-game losing streak. The Cape Breton Eagles enter the playoffs having won nine straight while the Drummondville Voltigeurs have won seven.</li><li>The Memorial Cup host Saginaw Spirit finished the OHL regular season with 102 points, placing them just two points back of the regular season champion London Knights.</li></ul></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-16292110105284768472024-03-24T11:33:00.003-03:002024-03-24T11:33:58.694-03:00Sea Dogs, Voltigeurs series begins Friday <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE03xG2Kienj0Nzu8o_Kj_PVEDeDCt0mdzVRuxwTKBDj4cOONerNUPEf3EP2mY33jazw0zk4l6kNLyFlBbPT2ulfYloiUbeaDThSoEhDZyQDbEqOCLAIZVki3w1sCyeG9MOdLDo2ZeFNIilnAlXEb-LgtNUeUeDuSOZPPY9ZAhofls9h167xOkVJL/s2048/408866941_875348281139768_3796850024863657494_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="2048" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE03xG2Kienj0Nzu8o_Kj_PVEDeDCt0mdzVRuxwTKBDj4cOONerNUPEf3EP2mY33jazw0zk4l6kNLyFlBbPT2ulfYloiUbeaDThSoEhDZyQDbEqOCLAIZVki3w1sCyeG9MOdLDo2ZeFNIilnAlXEb-LgtNUeUeDuSOZPPY9ZAhofls9h167xOkVJL/w400-h272/408866941_875348281139768_3796850024863657494_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table>For the first time, the Saint John Sea Dogs will face the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the playoffs.<div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>The series will shift to Saint John for Game 3. Here's a look at the full schedule.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Game 1: Friday, March 29 at Drummondville</div><div>Game 2: Saturday, March 30 at Drummondville</div><div>Game 3: Tuesday, April 2 at Saint John</div><div>Game 4: Wednesday, April 3 at Saint John</div><div>Game 5: Friday, April 5 at Saint John*</div><div>Game 6: Monday, April 8 at Drummondville*</div><div>Game 7: Tuesday, April 9 at Drummondville*</div><div><i>*if necessary</i></div></blockquote><div><i></i></div><div><br /></div><div>All games in Drummondville begin at 8 p.m. Atlantic. The games in Saint John begin at 7 p.m.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drummondville won both games in the season series, defeating Saint John 6-1 on Dec. 6 and 9-2 on Feb. 24.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-45524718403565175982024-03-23T23:45:00.003-03:002024-03-23T23:45:47.166-03:00First round playoff matchups confirmed<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcexZ1o7iOSo-IB3Eo8dF_aMJv6ivRByO0JJC9o6USsZgxtMR48ia0rS4Swh3QOVYAbwBa92qnrl24BZPk7Wqt_tQghHZkhi934lta8oWy4hoAuBflKHR2A-r2o3O4Xp7Qpkr4GtMs0ChrOlKq6agY6pAqvO-neV50Eh3shbQaYssgrFtdWuhJ31Az/s2048/408611756_875349954472934_2376041629321620526_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="2048" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcexZ1o7iOSo-IB3Eo8dF_aMJv6ivRByO0JJC9o6USsZgxtMR48ia0rS4Swh3QOVYAbwBa92qnrl24BZPk7Wqt_tQghHZkhi934lta8oWy4hoAuBflKHR2A-r2o3O4Xp7Qpkr4GtMs0ChrOlKq6agY6pAqvO-neV50Eh3shbQaYssgrFtdWuhJ31Az/w400-h271/408611756_875349954472934_2376041629321620526_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table>With the regular season completed, the matchups for the first round of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League playoffs have been locked in.<div><br /></div><div>Here's who will be facing who in the opening round.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div><b>Eastern Conference</b></div><div>1. Baie-Comeau vs 8. Charlottetown</div><div>2. Halifax vs 7. Bathurst</div><div>3. Moncton vs 6. Chicoutimi</div><div>4. Cape Breton vs 5. Rimouski</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Western Conference</b></div><div>1. Drummondville vs 8. Saint John</div><div>2. Rouyn-Noranda vs 7. Gatineau</div><div>3. Victoriaville vs 6. Shawinigan</div><div>4. Sherbrooke vs 5. Blainville-Boisbriand</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>All eight series get rolling on Friday.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first round of the QMJHL playoffs is often full of blowouts and sweeps — but there are at least a few series to keep an eye on. There's lots of intrigue around how Halifax and Moncton will perform in these playoffs given their hot-and-cold second halves. The Mooseheads really struggled against the Titan down the stretch while the Wildcats will be facing one of the league's hottest teams over the past couple months.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Baie-Comeau Drakkar, with a 53-12-2-1 record for 109 points, were the regular season champions and will be the No. 1 seed throughout the playoffs.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only teams to miss the playoffs were the Val-d'Or Foreurs and Quebec Remparts. This is the first time the Remparts franchise has missed the playoffs since 1992-93 when they were the Beauport Harfangs.</div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-33178004919930300292024-03-23T19:58:00.004-03:002024-03-24T11:05:35.990-03:00Recap: Sea Dogs lose 7-4<b>FINAL: Halifax 7, Saint John 4<br /></b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqb8BrC1YP8SCLMLWV8JC_jPwbBnPAZYLIaxrPB7-otXc918hotUD5n2qFjLZnSbyjsLbm5Z5Y8rOF8JGlxhUoSK26Icuap72Q2p1JL3ArKLl3RxSIc0VCWZ_6Q7Ly17eCyR9Pb8xRP4LGRk-ucV8xIOeLVORTpafXDubg-WRvRE-C8yg1iONG4iX/s3000/20240323SJvsHAL-rousseau-elliott-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="3000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqb8BrC1YP8SCLMLWV8JC_jPwbBnPAZYLIaxrPB7-otXc918hotUD5n2qFjLZnSbyjsLbm5Z5Y8rOF8JGlxhUoSK26Icuap72Q2p1JL3ArKLl3RxSIc0VCWZ_6Q7Ly17eCyR9Pb8xRP4LGRk-ucV8xIOeLVORTpafXDubg-WRvRE-C8yg1iONG4iX/w400-h250/20240323SJvsHAL-rousseau-elliott-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>SAINT JOHN</b> - The Saint John Sea Dogs are heading to the playoffs.<div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs secured the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot thanks to the Quebec Remparts falling 7-3 to the Rimouski Oceanic on Saturday. Saint John could have clinched the spot about an hour earlier but were unable to get a point in a 6-3 loss to the Halifax Mooseheads at TD Station.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John will face the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the opening round of the playoffs. That series will likely start on Friday in Drummondville. </div><div><br /></div><div>Markus Vidicek scored twice for Halifax while singles came from Mathieu Cataford, Dylan MacKinnon, Jan Sprynar, Jack Martin and Logan Crosby. Mathis Rousseau made 32 saves in the win. The Mooseheads once again sat out several regulars. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Things were looking promising for Saint John in this one but the wheels fell off in a third period that saw the Mooseheads score five times. Brody Fournier scored twice for the Sea Dogs while Tyler Peddle and Drew Elliott also converted. Patrick Leaver made 34 saves in the loss. </div><br />The Mooseheads led 2-1 after the opening period thanks to a late goal from MacKinnon. Just 21 seconds into the second, Elliott got Saint John within one and then, at 1:24, Fournier scored to quickly put the Sea Dogs up 3-2.</div><div><br /></div><div>It looked like the Mooseheads had tied the game on a point shot from MacKinnon that beat Leaver with 5:57 remaining. But after review, the goal was called off due to goaltender interference. Not long after that, it looked like Pavel Simek had scored on a power play to make it 4-2 Saint John. But after a lengthy offside review, that goal was called back as well.<br /><div><br />Just 25 seconds into the third period and the Moose on a power play, Sprynar wired a shot from the circle past Leaver to tie things up at 3-3. Then at 5:35, Martin scored on a point shot to put Halifax back in front, 4-3.</div><div><br /></div><div>With 5:27 remaining, Vidicek scored following a faceoff win. Just 16 seconds later, Crosby redirected a Martin point shot to quickly put Halifax up 6-3.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Leaver pulled, Fournier scored his second of the game to make it 6-4 at 17:20. Vidicek secured the win with an empty netter at 18:38.<br /><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><b>LINEUP</b><div>Mateiko - Elliott - Simek </div><div>Peddle - Miller - Fournier </div><div>Groulx - Beveridge - Beaulieu </div><div>Reynolds - Laforge - Benoit </div><div><br /></div><div>Tivey - Ianniello </div><div>Bilodeau - Mann </div><div>MacLean - Amyot </div><div><br /></div><div>Leaver </div><div>Robinson </div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRATCHES:</b> The Sea Dogs were without forwards Benjamin Beaudry (healthy) and Reid Calder (healthy) along with defensemen Olivier Duhamel (injury) and Jeremie Richard (healthy).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NOTES:</b> Forward Darien Reynolds returned to the Saint John lineup after being a healthy scratch on Friday. Reid Calder sat out... the Sea Dogs wore their black third jerseys... Saint John honoured 20-year-olds Patrick Leaver, Drew Elliott and Brody Fournier before the game... Fournier scored for a fifth straight game... Tyler Peddle has points in five straight games (six goals and three assists)... Reynolds had two assists... Peddle had seven shots... Halifax went 2/4 on the power play... faceoffs were 47-26 in favour of the Moose... Fournier and several Mooseheads shook hands on the ice after the game... attendance was 4,004, the fifth largest home crowd of the season... the Mooseheads once again sat out several regulars — including Peter Reynolds.</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Peter Reynolds amongst the Mooseheads scratches today. <a href="https://t.co/pqNRKpNucS">pic.twitter.com/pqNRKpNucS</a></p>— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) <a href="https://twitter.com/station_nation/status/1771608206210396594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div><b>HIGHLIGHTS</b></div><div><iframe width="460" height="295" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/824fX0_e8fo?si=DNXu1rvQv5oHlUfe" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><b>NEXT GAME: </b>The Sea Dogs will face the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the first round of the playoffs, a series that will likely begin Friday in Drummondville.</div></div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-79989620856616074602024-03-23T11:34:00.000-03:002024-03-23T11:34:39.209-03:00Final playoff spot will be locked in today <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6c9DqYDZsaU3RKdkejG0luwKUm1rnJIaesC0KTDAI6-528D95f-pBpcIyi5DddFgA_JGbOMYPPEw0joXUPZsONN0N2gbioUcmCM5ZTwL1rNnQEjn8vGu9j0RjSyf1aJazrqwy0yjwsmPpnl2WmpPhZQkcYYDoxaFzhlwKZVXXp768h3N5FD-zCvH/s3000/20240322SJvsHAL-milner-fournier-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1902" data-original-width="3000" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6c9DqYDZsaU3RKdkejG0luwKUm1rnJIaesC0KTDAI6-528D95f-pBpcIyi5DddFgA_JGbOMYPPEw0joXUPZsONN0N2gbioUcmCM5ZTwL1rNnQEjn8vGu9j0RjSyf1aJazrqwy0yjwsmPpnl2WmpPhZQkcYYDoxaFzhlwKZVXXp768h3N5FD-zCvH/w400-h254/20240322SJvsHAL-milner-fournier-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>SAINT JOHN </b>- The Saint John Sea Dogs will know later today if they've qualified for the QMJHL playoffs.<div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs and Quebec Remparts remain in a fight for the 16th and final spot. Saint John has 49 points while Quebec has 48.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs will host the Halifax Mooseheads at 4 p.m. at TD Station. Last night, Saint John scored four times in the first period en route to a 5-2 victory. The Remparts will host the Rimouski Oceanic at 5 p.m. at Videotron Centre. Last night in Rimouski, the Remparts, despite being outshot 54-14, almost pulled off an upset but lost 4-3 in overtime.</div><div><br /></div><div>So what does this all mean for Saint John making the playoffs today? Here are the scenarios:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div><b>If Saint John wins (in regulation or extra time)</b>: the Remparts would not be able to catch the Sea Dogs, so Saint John would get in.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>If Saint John loses in overtime or shootout:</b> the Remparts would only be able to match the Sea Dogs in points. Saint John owns the tiebreaker (regulation wins plus overtime wins), so Saint John would get in.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>If Saint John loses in regulation:</b> the Sea Dogs will have to hope the Remparts lose (in either regulation or extra time — it doesn't matter) in order to make the playoffs.</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>In short: this should be a fun final day of the regular season.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Mooseheads had several regulars out of their lineup last night due to injuries and also started backup goaltender Jack Milner. Saturday's game doesn't mean much for Halifax.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Oceanic remain in a fight in the middle of the Eastern Conference for playoff positioning, so today's game does have some meaning.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's also been confirmed that whoever grabs the final playoff spot — Saint John or Quebec — will face the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the first round. The Voltigeurs clinched the top spot in the Western Conference on Friday, meaning they will take on the west's No. 8 seed in the opening round — which will be either the Sea Dogs or Remparts due to the crossover.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Volts will be an extremely difficult first round opponent but the matchup does save some significant travel compared to playing the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.</div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-85586425950040275702024-03-22T23:54:00.003-03:002024-03-22T23:54:44.956-03:00Recap: Sea Dogs win 5-2<b>FINAL: Halifax 2, Saint John 5<br /></b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7SjmpAkZFcEI8H2FMlJ8nlMy25Heo_XqsZJSM8MiPvJBU4DpHywQIh7P4nKcOHWYXNtb5Wgd4yV2eHcGHRJXBMwp53WDY4Spjdt5Bd-RX7aw4gRGWb6-_VqeO1fwVjP9K8TLMBA3gElYudaURjNMdPi8cyrJU0lNdylBVVYZ6vvkxoU2OW2pnibT/s3000/20240322SJvsHAL-elliott-furlong-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2058" data-original-width="3000" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7SjmpAkZFcEI8H2FMlJ8nlMy25Heo_XqsZJSM8MiPvJBU4DpHywQIh7P4nKcOHWYXNtb5Wgd4yV2eHcGHRJXBMwp53WDY4Spjdt5Bd-RX7aw4gRGWb6-_VqeO1fwVjP9K8TLMBA3gElYudaURjNMdPi8cyrJU0lNdylBVVYZ6vvkxoU2OW2pnibT/w400-h275/20240322SJvsHAL-elliott-furlong-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>SAINT JOHN</b> - It's going to come down to the final day of the regular season to determine who gets the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot.<div><br /></div><div>The Saint John Sea Dogs picked up a huge 5-2 victory over the Halifax Mooseheads on Friday night at TD Station, pushing them to 49 points. The Quebec Remparts blew a lead and fell 4-3 in overtime to the Rimouski Oceanic, giving them 48 points.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Remparts would have to pass the Sea Dogs in points in order to get the final playoff spot. If the two teams end tied in points, Saint John has the tiebreaker and gets in.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs will face the Mooseheads on home ice on Saturday while the Remparts will host the Oceanic.<br /><div><br /></div><div>It was a bit of a wild game for the Sea Dogs on Friday, who went up against a Mooseheads a team that was without a number of players due to injuries, had two affiliate players to their lineup and started backup goaltender Jack Milner.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John's veteran players came to play in this one — especially in the first period. Tyler Peddle scored twice while Eriks Mateiko, Brody Fournier and Drew Elliott also converted. Coen Miller had two assists. Patrick Leaver made 29 saves in the win.</div><div><br /></div><div>Milner allowed four goals on 11 shots in the first period. Mathis Rousseau played the final two frames, allowing a goal on 15 shots.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peddle scored on Saint John's first shot of the game just 36 seconds in and then Mateiko scored on the team's second shot 10 seconds later, quickly making it 2-0. Fournier made it 3-0 at 13:15 and then Peddle netted his second of the period in the final minute to give Saint John a commanding 4-0 advantage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Liam Kilfoil got the Mooseheads on the board at 3:30 of the second, ripping his ninth of the season up high on Leaver while on a power play. Soon after Rousseau made a huge save on a penalty kill, Markus Vidicek scored at 12:22 on a breakaway to get Halifax within two.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Mooseheads continued to press at times in the third period but it certainly wasn't an overwhelming push. With 2:57 remaining, a fumble by Rousseau and the Mooseheads defense in front of the crease allowed Elliott to poke home his 17th of the season, giving Saint John a 5-2 advantage.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><b>LINEUP</b></div><div>Mateiko - Elliott - Simek</div><div>Peddle - Miller - Fournier</div><div>Groulx - Beveridge - Beaulieu</div><div>Calder - Laforge - Benoit</div><div><br /></div><div>Tivey - Ianniello</div><div>Bilodeau - Mann</div><div>MacLean - Amyot</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaver</div><div>Robinson</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRATCHES:</b> The Sea Dogs were without forwards Darien Reynolds (healthy) and Benjamin Beaudry (healthy) along with defensemen Olivier Duhamel (injury) and Jeremie Richard (healthy).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PRE-GAME:</b> Thomas Couture, Charlie DesRoches, Josh Lawrence and Brady Burns were all in the building for a pre-game ceremony honouring Peter Reynolds. This was Reynolds' first game back in Saint John since being traded to the Mooseheads.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/YdDQxnoLLe">https://t.co/YdDQxnoLLe</a> <a href="https://t.co/NbL5CJi5Ig">pic.twitter.com/NbL5CJi5Ig</a></p>— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) <a href="https://twitter.com/station_nation/status/1771297793522516201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nice touch by the Sea Dogs to honour graduating player Peter Reynolds who is playing his first game back in the Port City since being traded to Halifax. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoMooseGo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoMooseGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/SHCkRuLMKZ">pic.twitter.com/SHCkRuLMKZ</a></p>— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) <a href="https://twitter.com/HFXMooseheads/status/1771301207778205847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div><b>NOTES:</b> Saint John scored on their first shot for a second straight game... Eriks Mateiko returned from injury, playing in his first game since March 8... Brody Fournier extended his goal scoring streak to four games. He netted his 25th of the season in the first period... Fournier and Coen Miller each had four shots... Saint John was very physical in this game. Hits were 20-11 in favour of the Sea Dogs... Halifax outshot Saint John 10-4 in the third period... Peter Reynolds was a -2 with four shots in his return to Saint John... attendance was 3,300. There were quite a few Halifax fans in the building... the Mooseheads were without several regulars with what the team listed as injury or sickness.</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mooseheads have quite a crew out of the lineup tonight and Jack Milner will start. <a href="https://t.co/BHSNU1UhSO">pic.twitter.com/BHSNU1UhSO</a></p>— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) <a href="https://twitter.com/station_nation/status/1771292437685711226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div><b>HIGHLIGHTS</b></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-A9iSgw_qRE?si=9xvAbJkD9SqgrVVa" title="YouTube video player" width="460"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><b>NEXT GAME: </b>The Sea Dogs and Mooseheads meet again tomorrow at 4 p.m. at TD Station. Note the start time.</div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-90625484800676296842024-03-22T08:00:00.002-03:002024-03-22T12:36:27.790-03:00Game Day 67 & 68: vs Mooseheads <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyh8xjP1VO2os7wGVF94rcbdlLnMkToMT2lOjJFBvVixfTWpeF7v91WIjlesKezEqu4xkhzjIQ3s81TzuMSsrGtXdWQoLsqAzLAH88ZxZPPU5hyphenhyphenIZGukVaOcim2-O9d1rRi1JBR86l07I0OMCyRGZGWKw2SVd0gKaPFOy6dVmOFoVbkU5v5d9kv8s/s1340/vs-HAL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1340" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyh8xjP1VO2os7wGVF94rcbdlLnMkToMT2lOjJFBvVixfTWpeF7v91WIjlesKezEqu4xkhzjIQ3s81TzuMSsrGtXdWQoLsqAzLAH88ZxZPPU5hyphenhyphenIZGukVaOcim2-O9d1rRi1JBR86l07I0OMCyRGZGWKw2SVd0gKaPFOy6dVmOFoVbkU5v5d9kv8s/w400-h225/vs-HAL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>SAINT JOHN</b> - The final weekend of the QMJHL's regular season begins tonight.<div><br /></div><div>The Saint John Sea Dogs enter the weekend in a tie with the Quebec Remparts for the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot. Both teams have 47 points with two games remaining. Saint John does hold the tiebreaker and — if both teams end the weekend tied in points — would get the final playoff spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John will host the Halifax Mooseheads tonight at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. The Remparts, meanwhile, play a home-and-home with the Rimouski Oceanic.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The Mooseheads, despite surpassing the 40-win mark and winning the Maritimes Division title, have had an underwhelming second half. While this weekend set doesn't mean a whole lot for the Moose, they'd no doubt like to go into the playoffs on a strong note.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><b>TV/Radio/Stream:</b> None/<a href="https://chl.ca/lhjmq-seadogs/radio/" target="_blank">Sea Dogs Radio</a>/<a href="https://watch.chl.ca/chl_persona" target="_blank">CHL TV</a><br /><br /><b>2023-24 regular season records:</b> The Sea Dogs are 19-38-5-4 for 47 points (sixth Maritimes/9th Eastern/16th QMJHL) while the Mooseheads are 41-17-7-1 for 90 points (first Maritimes/second Eastern/fourth QMJHL).<br /><br /><b>Last games:</b> The Sea Dogs are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss to the Moncton Wildcats last night. Coen Miller and Brody Fournier scored for Saint John. Patrick Leaver made 43 saves in the loss. The Mooseheads are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Moncton Wildcats last Saturday. Jake Todd and Markus Vidicek scored for Halifax. Mathis Rousseau made 32 saves in the loss.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><b>2023-24 head-to-head: </b>The Sea Dogs are 2-3-0-1 against the Mooseheads this season while Halifax is 4-1-1-0 against Saint John.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Last meeting:</b> March 2 in Halifax where the Mooseheads defeated the Sea Dogs 7-1. Jan Sprynar scored twice for Halifax while singles came from Luke McPhee, Jack Martin, Mathieu Cataford and Logan Crosby. Tyler Peddle scored for Saint John. Mathis Rousseau made 29 saves in the win. Justin Robinson made 34 stops in the loss.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ex-Sea Dogs on the Mooseheads:</b> Forward Peter Reynolds.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Moosehead to watch: </b>Peter Reynolds will visit Saint John for the first time since being traded. The Fredericton native has eight goals and 11 assists in 25 games with the Moose.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Random stat:</b> Halifax is averaging the second fewest goals against per game (2.62) while allowing the ninth most shots against per game (30.03)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes:</b> Brody Fournier leads Saint John in points with 47... Fournier has a team high 24 goals... Joseph Ianniello leads the club in assists with 27... Mathieu Cataford leads Halifax in points with 86... Markus Vidicek leads the team in goals with 42... Cataford and Brady Schultz each have a team high 47 assists... Saint John is 10-16-3-3 at home... Halifax is 21-9-2-0 on the road... Cataford is fourth in the QMJHL in scoring and third in goals (39)... Schultz is third in QMJHL defensemen scoring (56 points)... the Mooseheads are averaging a league low 7.45 penalty minutes per game... former Moosehead Brody Fournier has goals in three straight games... Vidicek has points in six straight road games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Out of town Friday:</b></div>Moncton at Acadie-Bathurst - 7:00 PM ADT </div><div>Cape Breton at Charlottetown - 7:00 PM ADT </div><div>Sherbrooke at Baie-Comeau - 7:00 PM EDT </div><div>Québec at Rimouski - 7:00 PM EDT </div><div>Victoriaville at Rouyn-Noranda - 7:00 PM EDT </div><div>Gatineau at Val-d'Or - 7:00 PM EDT </div><div>Drummondville at Chicoutimi - 7:30 PM EDT<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Out of town Saturday:</b></div> Cape Breton at Charlottetown - 4:00 PM ADT </div><div>Acadie-Bathurst at Moncton - 4:00 PM ADT </div><div>Drummondville at Baie-Comeau - 4:00 PM EDT </div><div>Sherbrooke at Chicoutimi - 4:00 PM EDT </div><div>Gatineau at Rouyn-Noranda - 4:00 PM EDT </div><div>Blainville-Boisbriand at Shawinigan - 4:00 PM EDT </div><div>Victoriaville at Val-d'Or - 4:00 PM EDT </div><div>Rimouski at Québec - 4:00 PM EDT<div><br /></div></div><div><b>Next game:</b> If the Sea Dogs qualify for the playoffs, the Sea Dogs would take on the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference in the first-round of the playoffs. The series would likely begin next Friday on the road.</div></div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-40222034959118306522024-03-21T20:53:00.000-03:002024-03-21T20:53:00.387-03:00The final weekend is here <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjoCaLxNDMtcmlJXSpMRfDlhgBni9_-t_77s5pbAGkRpkzFpXJE9sWHTGCagZEsE7gEB37tBU3imB8TIyt1Iwa-oao96dSsA8VbbTbrMg54Yqj7UV8PPh1Nao-jfdgWLvN7P8AKsfPxKjgwLr40yjhlN0zU7Y_J7IcJH0j4ue3DdwcId9uGjEXoA8/s2048/433696019_947389773935618_2719137648655301854_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="2048" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjoCaLxNDMtcmlJXSpMRfDlhgBni9_-t_77s5pbAGkRpkzFpXJE9sWHTGCagZEsE7gEB37tBU3imB8TIyt1Iwa-oao96dSsA8VbbTbrMg54Yqj7UV8PPh1Nao-jfdgWLvN7P8AKsfPxKjgwLr40yjhlN0zU7Y_J7IcJH0j4ue3DdwcId9uGjEXoA8/w400-h271/433696019_947389773935618_2719137648655301854_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b>MONCTON</b> - It all comes down to this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://stationnation.blogspot.com/2024/03/recap-sea-dogs-lose-3-2-so.html" target="_blank">After a wild Wednesday night</a>, the Saint John Sea Dogs and Quebec Remparts still sit in a tie for the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot with two games to play. Saint John owns the tiebreaker (regulation wins plus overtime wins) so Quebec must earn more points in order to pass.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both teams will play Friday and Saturday. The Sea Dogs will face the Halifax Mooseheads in back-to-back home games while the Remparts will take on the Rimouski Oceanic in a home-and-home.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs are 2-3-1-0 against the Mooseheads this season while the Remparts are 0-5-1-0 against the Oceanic.</div><div><br /></div><div>As has been brought up previously, the wildcard in this whole situation is what the Mooseheads and Oceanic do. Will either team decide to sit out some regulars — especially on Saturday? That seems unlikely for the Oceanic given that they are in a battle for seeding, but we'll see how things play out.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Whoever grabs the the final playoff spot will have a major challenge in the first round. That team will crossover to the Western Conference and become the No. 8 seed where they'll face either the Drummondville Voltigeurs or Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some other stuff...</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>This weekend, former Sea Dogs forward Peter Reynolds, one of the few players from Saint John's 2022 Memorial Cup championship team still playing in the QMJHL, will visit TD Station for the first time since being traded to the Mooseheads.</li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/JeffMarek/status/1770512679309820156" target="_blank">Sportsnet's Jeff Marek reports</a> that Gardiner MacDougall may be Team Canada's head coach at the upcoming IIHF Under-18 World Championship, which begins in late April in Finland.</li><li>Joshua Roy was injured in Tuesday's Montreal Canadiens game and <a href="https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/news/joshua-roy-out-indefinitely?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=CHCcontent&utm_content=EN-0320-JoshuaRoy" target="_blank">is out indefinitely</a>. The former Sea Dogs forward has four goals and five assists in 23 NHL games this season.</li><li>Former Gatineau Olympiques forward Zach Dean made his NHL debut on Thursday night for the St. Louis Blues.</li><li>Mentioned Justin Hryckowian, an 11th-round pick of Saint John in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft, <a href="https://stationnation.blogspot.com/2024/03/notebook-what-weekend-for-nb-hockey.html" target="_blank">the other day</a>. The Northeastern University captain has signed an entry-level deal with the Dallas Stars.</li></ul></div></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">We have signed Justin Hryckowian to a two-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2024-25 season.<br /><br />Welcome to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TexasHockey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TexasHockey</a>, Justin! 🤠</p>— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) <a href="https://twitter.com/DallasStars/status/1770548378226626975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-13355170164375906082024-03-20T23:55:00.001-03:002024-03-20T23:56:32.849-03:00Recap: Sea Dogs lose 3-2 (SO)<b>FINAL: Moncton 3, Saint John 2 (SO)<br /></b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD16XC3S-prJeD9DR4mpU5IUuLgvZtWnXs4J4pXCdcX0WLq7VLvFuoInwrKxIaOx1cpkImtT079_vg7YZ4_hO042BMd9OAUhGOyK8wmUxmKbEcA-6JnpEbuKVJExBIWWI6bY54PBr_NLEVaplRjtYbOl6drRLFviTFYjS_4bBRwuKQ3n_1oF1oX-Mk/s3000/20240320SJvsMON-zielinski-miller-5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2125" data-original-width="3000" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD16XC3S-prJeD9DR4mpU5IUuLgvZtWnXs4J4pXCdcX0WLq7VLvFuoInwrKxIaOx1cpkImtT079_vg7YZ4_hO042BMd9OAUhGOyK8wmUxmKbEcA-6JnpEbuKVJExBIWWI6bY54PBr_NLEVaplRjtYbOl6drRLFviTFYjS_4bBRwuKQ3n_1oF1oX-Mk/w400-h284/20240320SJvsMON-zielinski-miller-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>SAINT JOHN</b> - After a wild Wednesday night, the Saint John Sea Dogs remain ahead of the Quebec Remparts in the race for the QMJHL's final playoff spot — but by the slimmest of margins.<div><br /></div><div>Both the Sea Dogs and Remparts lost in shootouts on Wednesday, meaning both teams have 47 points with two games remaining. The Sea Dogs hold the first tiebreaker. The only way for Quebec to pass Saint John is by having more points.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs were oh so close to a regulation time win before falling in a six-round shootout to the Moncton Wildcats at TD Station. Shawn Carrier scored the winner in the sixth round to give Moncton a 3-2 victory.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Miles Mueller tied the game with 14.6 seconds remaining in regulation time to send the match into overtime. The goal came on a big scramble in the crease where Patrick Leaver was unable to freeze the puck, allowing it to be poked loose.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p dir="ltr" lang="de">Miles forces overtime.<br />🚨 Miles Müller<br />🍎 Lounsbury, Morin<br />19:45, Prd 3<br /><br />MON 2 // SNB 2<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DefendTheDen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DefendTheDen</a> <a href="https://t.co/EuO7h3PjEv">https://t.co/EuO7h3PjEv</a> <a href="https://t.co/mYAHlCoF37">pic.twitter.com/mYAHlCoF37</a></p>— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/monctonwildcats/status/1770612079390498941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>Mueller's game-tying goal came not long after Brody Fournier gave the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead at 18:07, a goal that came just after Saint John killed off a third penalty against the QMJHL's top power play unit.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs played a fairly solid game against the Wildcats and were certainly worthy of a point — and perhaps more. The Wildcats, despite outshooting the Sea Dogs 45-29, were no doubt hoping for a better performance following a 3-1 home loss to the Cape Breton Eagles on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Coen Miller also scored for Saint John, which came on the team's first shot on goal just 1:22 in. Leaver had another strong performance in net and made 43 saves in the loss.<br /> <div>Caleb Desnoyers scored Moncton's other goal which came just 46 seconds in (and was Moncton's first shot). Jacob Steinman made 27 stops in the win.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><b>LINEUP</b></div><div>Simek - Beveridge - Elliott</div><div>Peddle - Miller - Fournier</div><div>Reynolds - Groulx - Beaulieu</div><div>Calder - Laforge - Benoit</div><div><br /></div><div>Tivey - Ianniello</div><div>Bilodeau - Mann</div><div>MacLean - Amyot</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaver</div><div>Robinson</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRATCHES: </b>The Sea Dogs were without forwards Eriks Mateiko (injury) and Benjamin Beaudry (healthy) along with defensemen Olivier Duhamel (injury) and Jeremie Richard (healthy).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NOTES:</b> Sea Dogs head coach Travis Crickard returned behind the bench. Crickard has been away from the time since suffering a medical emergency on March 9 in Sydney... along with Crickard, Jeff Hansen, Mark Lee and faceoff coach Mike Eagles were all behind the bench... former Sea Dogs forward Connor Trenholm remained out of the Wildcats lineup with an injury or sickness... Saint John goaltender Patrick Leaver appeared in a seventh straight game... Coen Miller and Tyler Peddle each have five points over their last three games... Nicolas Bilodeau had four shots... faceoffs were 42-26 in favour of Moncton... the Sea Dogs are now 1-4 in shootouts this year... this was the final meeting of the season between the Sea Dogs and Wildcats. Moncton won eight of the nine meetings... attendance was 2,173. Ticket prices were reduced to $15 and there was a BOGO deal on hot dogs.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Gardiner MacDougall is in the house folks 👍 <a href="https://t.co/vnXxpfeXJ1">pic.twitter.com/vnXxpfeXJ1</a></p>— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) <a href="https://twitter.com/station_nation/status/1770591028094894465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div><b>HIGHLIGHTS</b></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ILd8PdVmNqk?si=u2a2y3Svycxo_-A1" title="YouTube video player" width="460"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><b>NEXT GAME:</b> The Sea Dogs play the first of back-to-back games against the Halifax Mooseheads on Friday at 7 p.m. at TD Station.</div></div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-9953186064574651482024-03-20T08:00:00.001-03:002024-03-20T11:52:47.167-03:00Game Day 66: vs Wildcats <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4O5_vgOI3WUSYcH1I67VfMSpQ4ovTYtzkC8OBdzv1E3CfMnlr2-tHmNL0Ni2oL2BARCe4zpTdoKp6QX16IheYbTgSMGhjqY5mNM4TkgCLiv49F2F-3fFVIC-TfwAK0jgrxMzdFxzsBoxk2SJjEVHe02P2ATQ3DJ3h3LNb0ato2pe4Hdc26r28sXOU/s1340/vs-Moncton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1340" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4O5_vgOI3WUSYcH1I67VfMSpQ4ovTYtzkC8OBdzv1E3CfMnlr2-tHmNL0Ni2oL2BARCe4zpTdoKp6QX16IheYbTgSMGhjqY5mNM4TkgCLiv49F2F-3fFVIC-TfwAK0jgrxMzdFxzsBoxk2SJjEVHe02P2ATQ3DJ3h3LNb0ato2pe4Hdc26r28sXOU/w400-h225/vs-Moncton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>SAINT JOHN</b> - And then there were three for the Saint John Sea Dogs.<div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs will conclude the regular season with three straight home games, a stretch that begins tonight against the Moncton Wildcats. Game time is 7 p.m. at TD Station.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Saint John is coming off one of their biggest wins of the season on Sunday, posting an 8-4 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders. The win pushed the Sea Dogs back into the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs will also be doing some scoreboard watching tonight. Both Saint John and the Quebec Remparts have 46 points but the Dogs own the tiebreaker. The Remparts host the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada tonight at 8 p.m. Atlantic.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Stakes 📈<br />Ticket price 📉<br /><br />Take advantage of $15 adult tickets and BOGO hot dogs for Wednesday's game as we continue the playoff push against the Wildcats!<br /><br />Purchase online at <a href="https://t.co/LvsBJIcMkg">https://t.co/LvsBJIcMkg</a> or visit the TD Station box office.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoDogsGo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoDogsGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/tFMiphtg7x">pic.twitter.com/tFMiphtg7x</a></p>— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/SJSeaDogs/status/1770082583553994773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div><div><div><b>TV/Radio/Stream:</b> None/<a href="https://chl.ca/lhjmq-seadogs/radio/" target="_blank">Sea Dogs Radio</a>/<a href="https://watch.chl.ca/chl_persona" target="_blank">CHL TV</a><br /><br /><b>2023-24 regular season records:</b> The Sea Dogs are 19-38-5-3 for 46 points (sixth Maritimes/9th Eastern/16th QMJHL) while the Wildcats are 36-22-4-3 for 79 points (second Maritimes/third Eastern/sixth QMJHL).<br /><br /><b>Last games:</b> The Sea Dogs are coming off an 8-4 win over the Charlottetown Islanders on Sunday. Drew Elliott and Tyler Peddle each scored twice for Saint John while singles came from Nico Laforge, Brody Fournier, Jacob Beaulieu and Matteo Mann. Patrick Leaver made 41 saves in the win. The Wildcats are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Cape Breton Eagles on Sunday. Etienne Morin scored Moncton's lone goal. Keegan Warren made 32 stops in the loss.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><b>2023-24 head-to-head: </b>The Sea Dogs are 1-7-0-0 against the Wildcats this season while Moncton is 7-1-0-0 against Saint John.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Last meeting:</b> March 6 in Moncton where the Wildcats defeated the Sea Dogs 6-1. Shawn Carrier, Yoan Loshing, Miles Mueller, Caleb Desnoyers, Sebastian Glas and Alex Mercier scored for Moncton. Brody Fournier scored for Saint John. Jacob Steinman made 23 saves in the win. Patrick Leaver made 32 stops in the loss.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ex-Sea Dogs on the Wildcats:</b> Forward Connor Trenholm.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wildcat to watch: </b>Rookie Caleb Desnoyers has points in seven straight road games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Random stat:</b> Sea Dogs goaltender Patrick Leaver has played in each of Saint John's past six games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes:</b> Brody Fournier leads Saint John in points with 46... Fournier has a team high 23 goals... Joseph Ianniello leads the club in assists with 27... Yoan Loshing leads Moncton in points with 67 and goals with 37... Preston Lounsbury leads the club in assists with 37... Saint John is 10-16-3-2 at home... Moncton is 19-11-2-0 on the road... Julius Sumpf is third in QMJHL rookie scoring (52 points) while Caleb Desnoyers is fourth (51)... the Wildcats are averaging 8.22 penalty minutes per game, the second fewest in the league... Moncton has the best power play in the league (28.9%)... Loshing has points in six straight road games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Out of town:</b></div>Acadie-Bathurst at Charlottetown - 7:00 PM ADT </div><div>Blainville-Boisbriand at Québec - 7:00 PM EDT </div><div>Rouyn-Noranda at Val-d'Or - 7:00 PM EDT </div><div>Shawinigan at Victoriaville - 7:00 PM EDT</div><div><br /></div></div><div><b>Next game:</b> The Sea Dogs host the Halifax Mooseheads on Friday at 7 p.m.</div></div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-85806915302736826902024-03-19T21:48:00.000-03:002024-03-19T21:48:05.878-03:00Notebook: What a weekend for NB hockey<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22UqbUv5BmTbqbzkxskIr0tKNAaRrSewe898k-DMqogJx7FmlRKd6aFmzrgd8fACzXCMnXXVZB3CCOBkGTcF7iwfQ2THFp0bl6heow7bs9La7pFs7eBdAv9yZdws7ZGxCEMgTPwtxzd5-3tR-DK1oZNUrbq2Y-3kF4k-lxegYG9pBjwWhKsRz8bFS/s2048/IMG_6642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22UqbUv5BmTbqbzkxskIr0tKNAaRrSewe898k-DMqogJx7FmlRKd6aFmzrgd8fACzXCMnXXVZB3CCOBkGTcF7iwfQ2THFp0bl6heow7bs9La7pFs7eBdAv9yZdws7ZGxCEMgTPwtxzd5-3tR-DK1oZNUrbq2Y-3kF4k-lxegYG9pBjwWhKsRz8bFS/w400-h266/IMG_6642.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Maine Black Bears</i></td></tr></tbody></table>It was quite the weekend for New Brunswick hockey.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not only did the <a href="https://stationnation.blogspot.com/2024/03/unb-completes-undefeated-season-with.html" target="_blank">UNB Reds win a 10th University Cup title</a>, but the Maine Black Bears — who have been led by three New Brunswickers all season long — have advanced to the Hockey East semifinals this Friday at Boston's TD Garden.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the strength of two goals each from brothers Bradly and Josh Nadeau of Saint-François de Madawaska, the Black Bears shutout the rival UNH Wildcats 5-0 in quarterfinal play on Saturday.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bQANAUCBUbE?si=Ns4xfyaPATSqFU2B" title="YouTube video player" width="460"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Bradly, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect, has posted 19 goals and 26 assists in 35 games to lead the Blacks Bears in scoring while Josh has 18 goals and 27 assists to place second. Lynden Breen of Grand Bay-Westfield, a draft pick of Saint John in 2017, is third in team scoring with eight goals and 21 assists.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maine, ranked No. 7 nationally, will face No. 2 Boston University in the semifinals with the winner playing in Saturday's Hockey East championship against Boston College or UMass. No matter the result this weekend, Maine is a lock to advance to NCAA hockey's version of the sweet 16, which will determine who makes the Frozen Four.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>CRICKARD COULD RETURN</b></div><div>Kevin Barrett of Postmedia reports that Sea Dogs head coach Travis Crickard could be back behind the bench on Wednesday at TD Station.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Travis Crickard head coach of the <a href="https://twitter.com/SJSeaDogs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SJSeaDogs</a> is hoping to return behind the bench Wed against <a href="https://twitter.com/monctonwildcats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@monctonwildcats</a>. He was cleared to return to work after collapsing during March 9 game in Sydney vs <a href="https://twitter.com/CBEHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBEHockey</a>. Will visit doctors again Wed for final confirmation before the game.</p>— Kevin Barrett (@KevinBarrettNB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinBarrettNB/status/1770167700167295466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>Crickard hasn't been coaching since he suffered a medical emergency in the third period of Saint John's game on March 9 in Sydney. Jeff Hansen has acted as the team's head coach in the games since.</div><div><br /></div><div>The QMJHL has confirmed that the third period of the March 9 game will not be played. The game is officially official, going down as a 6-0 Cape Breton Eagles win.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><b>ST. PATRICK'S DAY RESULTS</b></div><div>The Sea Dogs played on St. Patrick's Day for the eighth time in team history on Sunday, recording just the second win on this "holiday" in franchise history.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs are now 2-6-0-0 all-time on St. Patrick's Day thanks to an 8-4 victory over the Charlottetown Islanders, a wild score that falls in line with a lot of the previous finals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a look at the Sea Dogs' year-by-year results on March 17.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>2006: 6-1 loss at Lewiston</div><div>2007: No game</div><div>2008: No game</div><div>2009: No game</div><div>2010: No game</div><div>2011: No game</div><div>2012: 7-4 win at Cape Breton</div><div>2013: 8-5 loss at PEI</div><div>2014: No game</div><div>2015: No game</div><div>2016: No game</div><div>2017: 6-3 loss at Charlottetown</div><div>2018: 8-3 loss at Cape Breton</div><div>2019: No game</div><div>2020: No game</div><div>2021: 6-2 loss vs Moncton</div><div>2022: No game</div><div>2023: 4-3 loss vs Halifax</div><div>2024: 8-4 win vs Charlottetown</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday's game was just the third time the Sea Dogs have played at home on St. Patrick's Day. March 17 falls on a Monday next year, so the Sea Dogs are unlikely to be playing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>ROAD WOES</b></div><div>Saint John will end the regular season on a 13-game road losing streak.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs played their final road game of the campaign this past Saturday in Charlottetown, falling 6-2. Saint John's last road win was Jan. 27 in Victoriaville. The team has just two road wins since Christmas.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 13-game road losing skid will go down as the fifth longest in franchise history. The record is 17 set in 2006-07.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John's road record ends at 9-22-3-1. The nine road victories ties this year's team with 2013-14 squad for the sixth fewest in team history.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzY4eSRro10Q5RBTNi2yH9_cI0e2pvTtrne-BmrjtKxDOGxn5hPoo-UFWQv6eXEGYBcYSYIN5-cXZKKC-3kAtnopsnQtYzDBwyX6OO90rbj3zPReJ7kspslX2WOwhs-0z-EUXOxAYnDpmiVbSdP93Gv7mXRDGnh4i0uAP9BkZhyI936LJzxiV_ekS/s1326/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-19%20at%208.39.32%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1326" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzY4eSRro10Q5RBTNi2yH9_cI0e2pvTtrne-BmrjtKxDOGxn5hPoo-UFWQv6eXEGYBcYSYIN5-cXZKKC-3kAtnopsnQtYzDBwyX6OO90rbj3zPReJ7kspslX2WOwhs-0z-EUXOxAYnDpmiVbSdP93Gv7mXRDGnh4i0uAP9BkZhyI936LJzxiV_ekS/w400-h251/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-19%20at%208.39.32%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>The Val-d'Or Foreurs have the QMJHL's worst road record this year sitting at 5-27-0-2.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>U CUP AFTERMATH</b></div><div>A few more things on UNB's University Cup victory on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://chl.ca/article/unb-completes-perfect-season-with-roster-of-chl-alumnus/" target="_blank">The CHL website has an article</a> on the Reds' win and includes a couple lines from former Sea Dogs defenseman Kale McCallum.</div><div><br /></div><div>“It’s just a surreal feeling,” said McCallum after the 4-0 victory over UQTR in the championship game. “It was such a blessing to come here and win a championship. </div><div><br /></div><div>“We’re a part of history now. No one can take that away from us.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Premier Blaine Higgs (who was oddly at the game?) specifically called out McCallum in the longest Twitter post in provincial history.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to the UNB Varsity Reds men’s hockey team and to Kale McCallum from my home riding of Quispamsis!<br /><br />They won the University Cup this past weekend against the Trois-Rivière Patriotes. These are back-to-back wins for Head Coach Gardiner MacDougall and Captain Jason… <a href="https://t.co/Hu7iP67L1n">pic.twitter.com/Hu7iP67L1n</a></p>— Blaine Higgs (@premierbhiggs) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierbhiggs/status/1769819429817217172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>Gardiner MacDougall: still very good at coaching in the University Cup. Will he become the first person with Sea Dogs connections inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ahead of the U CUP Final, UNB's Gardiner MacDougall has some new records<br /><br />- It's his 45th U CUP game - a record.<br /><br />- He now has 36 games won at the U CUP - a record.<br /><br />- It's his 12th U CUP final appearance - a record<br /><br />- A UNB win today would tie him for the most U CUP wins.</p>— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenSteiner00/status/1769347963955159266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>And for former Sea Dogs forward Nick Blagden, this is three national titles in three years: 2022 Memorial Cup, 2023 University Cup and 2024 University Cup.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>OTHER THINGS</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wednesday's Sea Dogs game at TD Station features $15 tickets and BOGO hot dogs.</li><li>Disappointing that the Sea Dogs didn't wear green jerseys for St. Patrick's Day on Sunday.</li><li>The Sea Dogs have just five wins since Christmas. The game winning goal scorers: Drew Elliott (two), Tyler Peddle (2) and Nate Tivey.</li><li>The Cape Breton Eagles have won seven straight games. They could finish as high as third in the Eastern Conference if some things fall their way this week.</li><li>The poor Val-d'Or Foreurs, who have just 15 wins this season, have lost 12 straight games.</li><li>Charlottetown rookie Matthew Butler finishes the season with three goals and six assists in nine games against Saint John.</li><li>17-year-old Justin Poirier of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar became the QMJHL's first (and likely only) 50 goal scorer this season over the weekend. Poirier is the younger brother of former Sea Dogs defenseman Jeremie Poirier and is eligible for this year's NHL Draft.</li><li>23-year-old forward Justin Hryckowian, an 11th-round pick of Saint John in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft, led Northeastern University in scoring this season with 13 goals and 30 assists in 32 games.</li><li>21-year-old defenseman Guillaume Richard, a fourth-round pick of Saint John in the 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft, had three goals and 15 assists in 35 games with Providence College.</li></ul></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-40190523827569000762024-03-18T19:05:00.002-03:002024-03-18T19:05:29.333-03:00Three games to go in playoff race <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YkXi5a2-xcnTDYzUhivCYGxyvKYPKvD3SYsgYuMbPNu9eFwuCI0eYl5l7LrZv4RNC0pRQrB2AcVt2Wlztbw0vOcLN7Xt7_TqyBYS3GKPhANX5ud2FJLSh3BEuq63OxcoE5L9zVLZcs7l_qOBiGI-wGOcV-UwUGz_kthJFIB2QdYkjLRnjpfcgPnq/s2048/418303934_897956512212278_597694695751694146_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="2048" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YkXi5a2-xcnTDYzUhivCYGxyvKYPKvD3SYsgYuMbPNu9eFwuCI0eYl5l7LrZv4RNC0pRQrB2AcVt2Wlztbw0vOcLN7Xt7_TqyBYS3GKPhANX5ud2FJLSh3BEuq63OxcoE5L9zVLZcs7l_qOBiGI-wGOcV-UwUGz_kthJFIB2QdYkjLRnjpfcgPnq/w400-h238/418303934_897956512212278_597694695751694146_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table>It's shaping up to be quite a finish for the QMJHL's final playoff spot.<div><br /></div><div>With three regular season games remaining, the Saint John Sea Dogs and Quebec Remparts are in a race for the 16th and final playoff position. Both teams have 46 points but Saint John owns the tiebreaker, meaning if the regular season ended right now, the Sea Dogs would get in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the upcoming schedule for both clubs and their record this season against each opponent.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Saint John: Wednesday vs Moncton (1-7-0-0), Friday vs Halifax (2-3-1-0), Saturday vs Halifax (2-3-1-0)</div><div><br /></div><div>Quebec: Wednesday vs Blainville-Boisbriand (1-2-0-0), Friday at Rimouski (0-5-1-0), Saturday vs Rimouski (0-5-1-0)</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, both teams have 46 points and Quebec can't catch Saint John in the tiebreaker (regulation wins plus overtime wins, which are 18-14 in favour of the Sea Dogs). So Saint John just needs to match Quebec in points to get in.</div><div><br /></div><div>How will this all shake down? Quebec's game on Wednesday <i>feels</i> like the Remparts' best chance to earn a point a two. They're winless against the Oceanic this season and Rimouski is still fighting for playoff positioning in the middle of the Eastern Conference. Both weekend games could have meaning for Rimouski.</div><div><br /></div><div>The biggest wildcard for Saint John is what the Halifax Mooseheads opt to do on the weekend. The Moose already know their first playoff opponent (Bathurst) and the weekend games could mean very little to nothing for them. Will they opt to rest some regulars? That could open the door for Saint John if they're in need of a point or two.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>No matter who gets the final playoff spot, they'll crossover to the Western Conference and be the No. 8 seed. They'll face either the Drummondville Voltigeurs (96 points) or Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (94 points) which... will not be an easy task.</div><div><br /></div><div>The QMJHL's regular season ends for all 18 teams on Saturday. The playoffs begin March 29.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three first round series have been locked in: Baie-Comeau/Charlottetown, Halifax/Bathurst and Sherbrooke/Blainville-Boisbriand. Here's what all the matchups would look like if the playoffs started today.</div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="fr">La saison <a href="https://twitter.com/LHJMQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LHJMQ</a> se termine samedi! Voici le portrait des séries, qui débutent le 29.<br />—<br />Season ends Saturday. Here is the playoff picture (start: March 29). <a href="https://twitter.com/QMJHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QMJHL</a> <a href="https://t.co/4PEGImK0Y2">pic.twitter.com/4PEGImK0Y2</a></p>— Raphaël Doucet (@raphdoucet) <a href="https://twitter.com/raphdoucet/status/1769700842825719904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-86726542840913578042024-03-17T21:25:00.002-03:002024-03-17T21:25:59.828-03:00UNB completes undefeated season with University Cup title<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVp691CrOLVXllbyYALehmLFzvNbo59wg3AODhGQ-EX3q_ffsCEwtimXV1EGrwkSM0ERORH9Jvvn-veN5CnSL6NGOKE7wmah5piyQht8L_0Br5AsnhaN4ei8W1-iWIo4-DOdsPTGCLLJGVouv8pefont2qvh9C3D4P0UTZyfgyrk4_psV-Yf3SX8Q/s2840/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-17%20at%208.59.30%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="2840" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVp691CrOLVXllbyYALehmLFzvNbo59wg3AODhGQ-EX3q_ffsCEwtimXV1EGrwkSM0ERORH9Jvvn-veN5CnSL6NGOKE7wmah5piyQht8L_0Br5AsnhaN4ei8W1-iWIo4-DOdsPTGCLLJGVouv8pefont2qvh9C3D4P0UTZyfgyrk4_psV-Yf3SX8Q/w400-h219/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-17%20at%208.59.30%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>CBC Sports</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">The UNB Reds completed a dominant, undefeated season with a national championship on Sunday.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>UNB defeated the UQTR Patriotes 4-0 in the championship game of the 2024 University Cup at Toronto's Mattamy Athletic Centre. It's the second straight national title for the Reds and the 10th in school history.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's no question that this year's UNB team will go down as one of the greatest university teams of all-time. The Reds went 30-0 in regular season play, swept their way through the Atlantic University Sport playoffs and then went 3-0 at nationals. To add to the dominance, they didn't allow a single goal at the University Cup, outscoring opponents 15-0 over three games.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">UNB COMPLETES THEIR PERFECT SEASON WITH A NATIONAL TITLE 🇨🇦🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/UNBMHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNBMHockey</a> defeats <a href="https://twitter.com/PatriotesUQTR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PatriotesUQTR</a> 4-0 to win the <a href="https://twitter.com/USPORTSca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USPORTSca</a> men's hockey national championship <a href="https://twitter.com/USPORTS_Hockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USPORTS_Hockey</a> 🏒 <a href="https://t.co/pwmTCZVB5q">pic.twitter.com/pwmTCZVB5q</a></p>— CBC Sports (@cbcsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/cbcsports/status/1769510956596441234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>UNB has not lost a game — exhibition, regular season or playoff — in over a calendar year.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Reds include former Sea Dogs defenseman Kale McCallum, forward Nick Blagden and, of course, head coach Gardiner MacDougall, who once again proved to be the master of the short tournament.</div><div><br /></div><div>MacDougall has been behind the bench for nine of UNB's 10 national championships. Former Sea Dogs head coach Mike Kelly led UNB to their first national title in 1998.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>McCallum, playing in his second season with the Reds, was named to the University Cup all-star team.</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="fr">Équipe d’étoiles du tournoi<br /><br />Attaquants:<br /><br />* Samuel Lafrance, Patriotes<br />* Brady Gilmour, Reds<br />* Austen Keating, Reds<br /><br />Défenseurs: <br />Scott Wallford, Redbirds<br />Kale McCallun, Reds<br /><br />Gardien:<br />Samuel Richard, Reds <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/usports?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#usports</a></p>— Matthew Vachon (@MatthewVachon_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewVachon_/status/1769511330828984658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>The Patriotes, who won the 2022 University Cup and are loaded with former QMJHL players, leave with a silver medal. They have a young roster and could certainly reach this stage again next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier in the day, William Poirier and the McGill Redbirds defeated Kevin Gursoy and the TMU Bold 3-2 in the bronze medal game.</div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-30877327448730320762024-03-17T20:20:00.000-03:002024-03-17T20:20:25.905-03:00Recap: Sea Dogs win 8-4<b>FINAL: Charlottetown 4, Saint John 8<br /></b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgvcqNnnyqyocgADyNrkMMf7lrFjFxZ6TtgpyogT48FDI2_s9foSLTDruNW-5uNBrFe5xC4V5dog5RQICvO9MBBah5NBhMp22kSP-Dr5v-1aLWyw8u_C1piwVFogJFbIf43cXyrjRfbauD0pddy6K0WUIAAqN-tvpItJ8fS40O_VlDq7c_MOGpi8e/s3000/20240317SJvsCHA-conrad-simek-shields-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="3000" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgvcqNnnyqyocgADyNrkMMf7lrFjFxZ6TtgpyogT48FDI2_s9foSLTDruNW-5uNBrFe5xC4V5dog5RQICvO9MBBah5NBhMp22kSP-Dr5v-1aLWyw8u_C1piwVFogJFbIf43cXyrjRfbauD0pddy6K0WUIAAqN-tvpItJ8fS40O_VlDq7c_MOGpi8e/w400-h254/20240317SJvsCHA-conrad-simek-shields-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>SAINT JOHN</b> - The Saint John Sea Dogs moved back into a playoff spot on Sunday at TD Station.<div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs made the most of their scoring chances in an 8-4 win over the Charlottetown Islanders. The victory gives Saint John 46 points on the season and moves them into a tie with the Quebec Remparts for the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot — but Saint John owns the first tiebreaker.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shots in the game were 45-24 and the Sea Dogs weathered a few storms from the Islanders in the win. Patrick Leaver, who also started Saturday night's game in Charlottetown, once again made some key stops in the victory.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Tyler Peddle and Drew Elliott each scored a pair of goals for Saint John while singles came from Nico Laforge, Brody Fournier, Jacob Beaulieu and Matteo Mann. The Sea Dogs, who were without Eriks Mateiko again, finally got their secondary scoring rolling.</div><div><br /></div><div>Simon Hughes, Ross Campbell and Kyle Powers scored for Charlottetown. Carter Bickle was pulled in the second period after allowing four goals on 11 shots. Aksels Ozols allowed three goals on 12 shots in relief.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs led 2-0 after one despite getting outshot 17-7. Laforge scored a weird goal from the corner that fooled Bickle and then, with 32 seconds remaining, Fournier scored on an odd man rush while shorthanded.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John continued to make the most of their opportunities in the second period. Beaulieu made it 3-0 at 10:37 and then, just 11 seconds later, Elliott scored following a turnover behind the Charlottetown net to chase Bickle from the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ozols, who played in Saturday's Islanders win over the Sea Dogs, didn't fare much better in net. At 14:55, Peddle entered the zone, kept the puck and slid a backhand shot under the Charlottetown netminder to make it 5-0 Saint John.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hughes got the Islanders on the board at 16:28 of the second and then the Islanders scored two quick goals in the third to make it a 5-3 game. At 5:08 of the third, Peddle ripped a shot over the shoulder of Ozols to stop some of the Charlottetown momentum and give Saint John a three-goal lead again.</div><div><br /></div><div>After exchanging power play goals to make it 7-4, the Islanders pulled their netminder with over six minutes remaining. Elliott finally found the empty net at 16:23, making it an 8-4 final.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><b>LINEUP</b></div><div>Simek - Beveridge - Elliott</div><div>Peddle - Miller - Fournier</div><div>Reynolds - Groulx - Beaulieu</div><div>Laforge - Benoit</div><div><br /></div><div>Tivey - Ianniello</div><div>Bilodeau - Mann</div><div>MacLean - Amyot</div><div>Richard</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaver</div><div>Robinson</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRATCHES:</b> The Sea Dogs without defenseman Olivier Duhamel (injury or sickness) along with forwards Eriks Mateiko (injury), Benjamin Beaudry (healthy) and Reid Calder (healthy).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NOTES:</b> Jeff Hansen once again acted as Saint John's head coach with Travis Crickard continuing to recover from the medical emergency he suffered last weekend in Sydney... the Sea Dogs wore their black third jerseys... the Sea Dogs went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen... Nico Larforge's goal — which was a weird one from the corner — was his first of the season... this was the most goals the Sea Dogs have scored in a single game this season... Nicolas Bilodeau had two assists... Saint John went 1/1 on the power play while Charlottetown went 1/3... Drew Elliott had four shots... attendance was 2,934... the Sea Dogs improved to 2-6-0-0 all-time on St. Patrick's Day.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HIGHLIGHTS</b></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1K8kmmwQnKE?si=0f7btJ6s5oTc4I1l" title="YouTube video player" width="460"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><b>NEXT GAME:</b> The Sea Dogs take on the Moncton Wildcats on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at TD Station.</div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-75309802168868089902024-03-17T11:42:00.000-03:002024-03-17T11:42:28.976-03:00Game Day 65: vs Islanders <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcLpoHLu1n3S7Yu5lqiaWEKcKryoxzPk7133dm2R6awEZQELi0PApZ4U2K6jR3V8sWo8pK0RLHKtwEyeijSUmxl-GxYWBSLJuITPN6Botdy8IEZxPgVDs3_DbSAu8dxfEboD1AlZaU07BEZUF7iPUqTnjwnsSR_2bhOK5dxIkmk0J6cf_my2_-ziu/s1340/vs-CHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1340" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcLpoHLu1n3S7Yu5lqiaWEKcKryoxzPk7133dm2R6awEZQELi0PApZ4U2K6jR3V8sWo8pK0RLHKtwEyeijSUmxl-GxYWBSLJuITPN6Botdy8IEZxPgVDs3_DbSAu8dxfEboD1AlZaU07BEZUF7iPUqTnjwnsSR_2bhOK5dxIkmk0J6cf_my2_-ziu/w400-h225/vs-CHA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>SAINT JOHN </b>- The Saint John Sea Dogs will once again try and sneak back into a playoff spot today.<div><br /></div><div>The Quebec Remparts, who currently own the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot, lost 5-0 to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar yesterday. A win by the Sea Dogs this afternoon would push them into a tie with the Remparts with 46 points. Saint John currently holds the tiebreaker, which would push them into 16th.</div><div><br /></div><div>Following today's action, both the Sea Dogs and Remparts will have three regular season games remaining.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Saint John will face the Charlottetown Islanders today at 3 p.m. at TD Station. The two met last night at Eastlink Centre in a game that the Isles controlled for the most part — but there were some glimpses from Saint John. We'll see what they can do in this one.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><b>TV/Radio/Stream:</b> None/<a href="https://chl.ca/lhjmq-seadogs/radio/" target="_blank">Sea Dogs Radio</a>/<a href="https://watch.chl.ca/chl_persona" target="_blank">CHL TV</a><br /><br /><b>2023-24 regular season records:</b> The Sea Dogs are 18-38-5-3 for 44 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/17th QMJHL) while the Islanders are 25-32-5-2 for 57 points (fifth Maritimes/eighth Eastern/14th QMJHL).<br /><br /><b>Last games:</b> The Sea Dogs and Islanders met last night in Charlottetown where the Isles won 6-2. Cole Huckins, William Shields, Ross Campbell, Simon Hughes, Matthew Butler and Alexis Michaud all scored for Charlottetown. Tyler Peddle and Brody Fournier scored for Saint John. Aksels Ozols made 23 saves in the win. Patrick Leaver made 38 stops in the loss.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><b>2023-24 head-to-head: </b>The Sea Dogs are 2-4-0-2 against the Islanders this season while Charlottetown is 6-2-0-0 against Saint John.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Last meeting:</b> See above.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ex-Sea Dogs on the Islanders:</b> Forward Simon Hughes.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Islander to watch: </b>Michael Horth leads the QMJHL in power play goals with 18.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Random stat:</b> With the QMJHL reducing its schedule to 64 games next season, this will possibly be the final game No. 65 in Sea Dogs history.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes:</b> Brody Fournier now leads Saint John in points with 45... Fournier and Eriks Mateiko each have a team high 22 goals... Joseph Ianniello leads the club in assists with 27... Michael Horth leads the Islanders in points with 49 and goals with 31... Marcus Kearsey leads the club in assists with 39... Saint John is 9-16-3-2 at home... Charlottetown is 12-20-1-0 on the road... the Islanders went 2/4 on the power play last night while Saint John went 0/4... Saint John's penalty kill is 15th (74.3%) while Charlottetown's is 16th (73.4%)... the Islanders have lost seven straight road games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Out of town:</b></div><div>Shawinigan at Gatineau - 3:00 PM EDT </div><div>Cape Breton at Moncton - 4:00 PM ADT </div><div>Baie-Comeau at Sherbrooke - 3:00 PM EDT </div><div>Chicoutimi at Victoriaville - 4:00 PM EDT</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><b>Next game:</b> The Sea Dogs host the Moncton Wildcats on Wednesday at 7 p.m.</div></div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-55443574930292327672024-03-16T23:53:00.003-03:002024-03-17T11:45:37.377-03:00UNB, UQTR advance to gold medal game <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy6nuCWntH0gj1QRMn-VkDmTcmtN3hblOvpAWM5B0v1Znvc0pw4iAnquR6QXqGu_xmefzD89O5EBo2GgrUMDRRKxJktfZxdI5u_Ev7rUs50VPcxg6tQvdSIdV2cl3Ltp11r-nLZCcl9wOhMQZlkF4UDxZR8JY8NKqu72RNvOJvgW98dHerfZPBlIG/s1040/SF1_MHOCK_feat-1040x.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1040" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy6nuCWntH0gj1QRMn-VkDmTcmtN3hblOvpAWM5B0v1Znvc0pw4iAnquR6QXqGu_xmefzD89O5EBo2GgrUMDRRKxJktfZxdI5u_Ev7rUs50VPcxg6tQvdSIdV2cl3Ltp11r-nLZCcl9wOhMQZlkF4UDxZR8JY8NKqu72RNvOJvgW98dHerfZPBlIG/w400-h261/SF1_MHOCK_feat-1040x.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Curtis Martin/TMU Bold Athletics</i></td></tr></tbody></table>It'll be a classic gold medal matchup between university hockey powerhouses at the 2024 University Cup.<div><br /></div><div>The No.1 seeded UNB Reds and the No. 2 seeded UQTR Patriotes will meet at 6 p.m. Atlantic in the national championship game in Toronto. UNB won last year's University Cup title while UQTR won in 2022.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Reds will be looking for their 10th national championship while the Patriotes will be looking for their sixth.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game can <a href="https://gem.cbc.ca/live-event/39167" target="_blank">be streamed on CBC Gem</a>.</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">NEW: UNB has been great before, but they're setting a new standard in 2024. <br /><br />After today's 7-0 win v TMU, they're just a game away from perfection.<br /><br />With 100 practices and lessons learned, they might just be the best-ever U SPORTS MHKY team.<br /><br />My latest:<a href="https://t.co/zDH8qJ4hZI">https://t.co/zDH8qJ4hZI</a></p>— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenSteiner00/status/1769113960551231632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>After going 30-0 in regular season play and sweeping their way through the Atlantic University Sport playoffs, it's been a smooth ride at nationals for the Reds. UNB beat Brock 4-0 in Thursday's quarterfinal and then hammered the host TMU Bold 7-0 in Saturday afternoon's semifinal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Former Sea Dogs defenseman Kale McCallum had a goal in UNB's win over TMU. The Reds also feature former Sea Dogs forward Nick Blagden and head coach Gardiner MacDougall.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">MHKY: <a href="https://twitter.com/UNBMHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNBMHockey</a> goes up 2-0 on <a href="https://twitter.com/tmubold?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tmubold</a> on a goal by Kale McCallum at 6:58 of the opening period.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/goredsgo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#goredsgo</a> <br /> <a href="https://t.co/67g4QLju6U">pic.twitter.com/67g4QLju6U</a></p>— UNB Reds (@UNBAthletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNBAthletics/status/1769054704653242843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a></blockquote></div><div>A win by UNB on Sunday — which would complete the perfect season — would certainly put this year's team in the conversation (if they're not there already) for the best in U Sports history.</div><div><br /></div><div>UQTR, this year's OUA champions, beat UdeM 5-1 in the quarterfinals and then edged McGill 5-4 in a close semifinal contest. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday morning/afternoon's bronze medal game will feature former Sea Dogs William Poirier and McGill taking on Kevin Gursoy and TMU.</div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-67566428715519856722024-03-16T22:19:00.003-03:002024-03-16T22:19:50.760-03:00Recap: Sea Dogs lose 6-2<b>FINAL: Saint John 2, Charlottetown 6<br /></b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKai99ZiUSKgqVC13MUWT7vLTjwtHUdSQ7aV74PhVrEJZ7iFsdLprnlxRCwNL-xeBR_wMs2PrhyphenhyphenpyKc8S1OWH8f9SPFSsW7QYrMo-0PEO5a6WcdlXl-nymdb-SZQ0SpwwUTPHwuCuf1dZy1ZXKdgHyaYW6HY0DcH1_Fcavc2Z_7LHumFHbBXc1AGZ/s2048/415044438_895031492504780_8962398398898338768_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="2048" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKai99ZiUSKgqVC13MUWT7vLTjwtHUdSQ7aV74PhVrEJZ7iFsdLprnlxRCwNL-xeBR_wMs2PrhyphenhyphenpyKc8S1OWH8f9SPFSsW7QYrMo-0PEO5a6WcdlXl-nymdb-SZQ0SpwwUTPHwuCuf1dZy1ZXKdgHyaYW6HY0DcH1_Fcavc2Z_7LHumFHbBXc1AGZ/w400-h281/415044438_895031492504780_8962398398898338768_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>CHARLOTTETOWN</b> - The Saint John Sea Dogs came up short in their final road game of the regular season.<div><br /></div><div>The Charlottetown Islanders had points from 10 different players in a 6-2 victory over the Sea Dogs on Saturday at Eastlink Centre. The loss was Saint John's 13th straight defeat away from TD Station.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story was similar to a lot of road games for Saint John: they got behind early and couldn't generate enough quality scoring chances to get back in it. The Sea Dogs got within two goals late in the second period but that would be as close as they would come.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div>Cole Huckins, William Shields, Ross Campbell, Simon Hughes, Matthew Butler and Alexis Michaud all scored for Charlottetown. Aksels Ozols made 23 saves in the win.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>Tyler Peddle and Brody Fournier scored for Saint John. Patrick Leaver made 38 stops in the loss.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Like in many of their recent road matches, the Sea Dogs had a rough first period, trailing 3-0 and getting outshot 14-9. </div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John got on the board at 5:54 of the second period when Peddle scored. But the momentum was short lived with Hughes converting just 18 seconds later. The Sea Dogs did have some offensive pressure applied late in the period and were rewarded with a Fournier goal with 38 seconds remaining.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs struggled to generate great chances in the third period, getting outshot 16-5 in the final frame. Butler added some insurance at 9:22 to make it 5-2 and Michaud secured the win with an empty net goal in the final minute.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><b>LINEUP</b></div><div>Simek - Beveridge - Elliott</div><div>Peddle - Miller - Fournier</div><div>Reynolds - Groulx - Beaulieu</div><div>Calder - Laforge - Beaudry</div><div><br /></div><div>Tivey - Ianniello</div><div>MacLean - Mann</div><div>Richard - Amyot</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaver</div><div>Robinson</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRATCHES:</b> The Sea Dogs were without forwards Eriks Mateiko (injury) and Luka Benoit (heathy) along with defensemen Nicolas Bilodeau (injury or sickness) and Olivier Duhamel (injury or sickness).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NOTES:</b> Jeff Hansen once again acted as Saint John's head coach with Travis Crickard continuing to recover from the medical emergency he suffered last weekend in Sydney... shots were 6-0 Charlottetown to start the game... Charlottetown went 2/2 on the power play in the first period and went 2/4 in the game. Saint John went 0/4... Pavel Simek had five shots... the Sea Dogs will finish the season with a 9-22-2-1 road record... attendance was 3,063. According to Islanders radio, this was the 10th time this season the team had a crowd of over 3,000.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HIGHLIGHTS</b></div><div><iframe width="460" height="295" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1EPuX4IQl3A?si=DEr3dqPsC2Y5oI4s" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><b>NEXT GAME:</b> The Sea Dogs host the Islanders tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. at TD Station.</div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-11407572137017363572024-03-16T10:31:00.001-03:002024-03-16T10:31:33.835-03:00Game Day 64: at Charlottetown <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jrqu9FlQcwIfCwAtmKWhfJ2F9Z58nUlNW5GMkrfXwm1QHKnN8KOtaV88bzziB_dE42FtPnQCQKdr9BeinqzpoJrYB9k3hyvbqaWzYPk3liE3B8uCDc33CNygWWvFeocV7W0Y30Nte52alp68EDpglettqhd3oZbbcztA4jTo2D2I40mNN-lA9o-o/s1340/at-CHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1340" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jrqu9FlQcwIfCwAtmKWhfJ2F9Z58nUlNW5GMkrfXwm1QHKnN8KOtaV88bzziB_dE42FtPnQCQKdr9BeinqzpoJrYB9k3hyvbqaWzYPk3liE3B8uCDc33CNygWWvFeocV7W0Y30Nte52alp68EDpglettqhd3oZbbcztA4jTo2D2I40mNN-lA9o-o/w400-h225/at-CHA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>CHARLOTTETOWN</b> - The Saint John Sea Dogs could move back into a playoff spot with a win tonight.<div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs, coming off a 2-1 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Thursday, are two points back of the Quebec Remparts for the 16th and final playoff spot. The Remparts lost last night in Chicoutimi and play today against the league-leading Baie-Comeau Drakkar.</div><div><br /></div><div>If the Remparts lose today and the Sea Dogs win, Saint John would move back into 16th as they hold the tie-breaker.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John ended an eight-game losing streak on Thursday thanks to two third period goals and a strong goaltending performance from Patrick Leaver.</div><div><br /></div><div>Game time tonight at Eastlink Centre is 7 p.m.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><b>TV/Radio/Stream:</b> None/None/<a href="https://watch.chl.ca/chl_persona" target="_blank">CHL TV</a><br /><br /><b>2023-24 regular season records:</b> The Sea Dogs are 18-37-5-3 for 44 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/17th QMJHL) while the Islanders are 24-32-5-2 for 55 points (fifth Maritimes/eighth Eastern/15th QMJHL).<br /><br /><b>Last games:</b> The Sea Dogs are coming off a 2-1 win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on Thursday. Pavel Simek and Drew Elliott scored for Saint John. Patrick Leaver made 31 saves in the win. The Islanders are coming off a 4-2 loss in Halifax on Thursday. Will Allen and Cole Huckins had Charlottetown goals. Carter Bickle made 29 saves in the loss.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><b>2023-24 head-to-head: </b>The Sea Dogs are 2-3-0-2 against the Islanders this season while Charlottetown is 5-2-0-0 against Saint John.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Last meeting:</b> Feb. 9 in Charlottetown where the Islanders defeated the Sea Dogs 2-0. Alexis Michaud and Matthew Butler scored for the Islanders. Carter Bickle made 23 saves in the win. Justin Robinson made 42 stops in the loss.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ex-Sea Dogs on the Islanders:</b> Forward Simon Hughes.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Islander to watch: </b>Rookie Matthew Butler has two goals and five assists in seven games against Saint John this season.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Random stat:</b> This is Saint John's final road game of the regular season. They enter play tonight with a 9-21-2-1 road record and have lost 12 straight away from home.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes:</b> Brody Fournier now leads Saint John in points with 43... Eriks Mateiko has a team high 22 goals... Joseph Ianniello leads the club in assists with 27... Michael Horth leads the Islanders in points with 48 and goals with 31... Marcus Kearsey leads the club in assists with 39... Charlottetown is 12-12-4-2 at home... Kearsey is sixth in QMJHL defensemen scoring with 46 points... the Islanders have the second worst penalty kill in the league (72.8%)... Charlottetown has lost seven straight games... it's already locked in that the Islanders will face the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the first round of the playoffs.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Out of town:</b></div>Cape Breton at Acadie-Bathurst - 4:00 PM ADT </div><div>Val-d'Or at Blainville-Boisbriand - 4:00 PM EDT </div><div>Rouyn-Noranda at Gatineau - 4:00 PM EDT </div><div>Baie-Comeau at Québec - 4:00 PM EDT </div><div>Rimouski at Drummondville - 6:00 PM EDT </div><div>Halifax at Moncton - 7:00 PM ADT<br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><b>Next game:</b> The Sea Dogs and Islanders meet again tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. at TD Station.</div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-61971775248087382982024-03-15T23:47:00.010-03:002024-03-15T23:48:37.456-03:00Reds advance to University Cup semis<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQVsntifBF29vqElSn09tILe1GwEpSwn5S7J0owWrhgc0jpMJuhcbt6b1yaZAcUW7CrG0YZf3XcaGrQid6ekmuK58Z04FFWr_ZOS0cKlJ8A5xO9wwx8v7tXDTTp6Jc_2CP8qcykRvrPTWwjR5dywt0cW1XWtoHhi9pU0EjbXFoqVXL61_ZMpGD3DW/s450/rxr35kfzdh463i4i.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="450" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQVsntifBF29vqElSn09tILe1GwEpSwn5S7J0owWrhgc0jpMJuhcbt6b1yaZAcUW7CrG0YZf3XcaGrQid6ekmuK58Z04FFWr_ZOS0cKlJ8A5xO9wwx8v7tXDTTp6Jc_2CP8qcykRvrPTWwjR5dywt0cW1XWtoHhi9pU0EjbXFoqVXL61_ZMpGD3DW/w400-h266/rxr35kfzdh463i4i.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Toronto Metropolitan University Athletics</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>HALIFAX </b>-<b> </b>The UNB Reds will face the host TMU Bold on semifinal Saturday at the 2024 University Cup in Toronto.</div><div><br /></div><div>The top seeded Reds were dominant in a 4-0 win over the No. 8 seeded Brock Badgers on Thursday afternoon. Benjamin Corbeil led the way with two goals and an assist while Samuel Richard earned the shutout. Shots were 38-9 in favour of UNB.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Reds feature former Sea Dogs defenseman Kale McCallum, forward Nick Blagden and coach Gardiner MacDougall.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Badgers roster included former Sea Dogs defenseman Olivier Desroches. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Bold, who feature former Sea Dogs forward Kevin Gursoy, needed double overtime to defeat the Calgary Dinos 2-1 in their quarterfinal on Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>UNB and TMU will meet at 2 p.m. Atlantic on Saturday.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/os48TWx2wyw?si=XvQN2vwFpUb9aDtX" title="YouTube video player" width="460"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Saturday night's semifinal will feature the UQTR Patriotes taking on the McGill Redbirds. UQTR advanced by beating Jeremie Jacob and the UdeM Aigles Bleus 5-1 in the quarterfinals while William Poirier and McGill upset the UBC Thunderbirds 3-2.</div><div><br /></div><div>The bronze and gold medal games take place Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Some other news and notes...</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>20-year-old forward Cole Foston, who played 14 games with the Sea Dogs in 2021-22, <a href="https://www.themhl.ca/timberwolves-foston-commits-to-rmc-paladins" target="_blank">has committed to play at the Royal Military College</a> beginning next season. Foston played with the MHL's Valley Wildcats and Miramichi Timberwolves this past season.</li><li>Halifax Mooseheads star forward Jordan Dumais <a href="https://twitter.com/HFXMooseheads/status/1768613988613382234" target="_blank">has been suspended five games</a> for violating the team and QMJHL code of conduct. <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/10362661/halifax-mooseheads-columbus-blue-jackets-jordan-dumais-dui/" target="_blank">Global News reports</a> that Dumais has been charged with impaired driving.</li><li>Former Wildcats head coach Ted Nolan was honoured before Thursday's Wildcats/Eagles game at Avenir Centre as he looks to raise awareness during Multiple Myeloma Month. Nolan was diagnosed with multiple myeloma a year ago. He received treatment and is recovering.</li><li>Bit of a scary moment in the first period of Thursday's game in Moncton when Wildcats head coach Dan Lacroix took a puck to the back of his head. He stayed on the bench for the rest of the period with a trainer occasionally putting a towel to his head. He did not return for the second or third periods.</li><li>The Baie-Comeau Drakkar clinched the QMJHL's regular season title on Wednesday. It's the Drakkar's third Jean-Rougeau Trophy in franchise history.</li><li>Some good news for Saint John's playoff hopes: the Quebec Remparts lost 7-6 in Chicoutimi on Friday.</li><li>Tristan Luneau's season is officially over, <a href="https://twitter.com/StephRDSJunior/status/1767194423387984290" target="_blank">according to reports</a>. The Anaheim Ducks prospect will not play again this season. The Victoriaville Tigres had acquired his rights at the trade deadline in the hopes he would be healthy enough to return to game action.</li></ul></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-68908474767486141952024-03-14T22:08:00.003-03:002024-03-15T09:12:46.249-03:00Recap: Sea Dogs win 2-1<b>FINAL: Bathurst 1, Saint John 2<br /></b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_-JkubmSpWS6BxoCoafNbB1ZkKqWMWcRCQJn_dLVc0fkjOsgtFrFCknTS9ygVe6LBhTBgDVgEyQzzMDiulkRqm67QYFf7FoqEjf1BYGSpjzKVSkemepDJv30Jzyw8uuun8Lj3U7xmnpAXOAwQ3cQ0N0vVnPvgsZ5Piw8Nrc4UjMmMfy3rNB5fVdC/s3000/20240314SJvsBAT-macGillivray-simek-andrews-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1862" data-original-width="3000" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_-JkubmSpWS6BxoCoafNbB1ZkKqWMWcRCQJn_dLVc0fkjOsgtFrFCknTS9ygVe6LBhTBgDVgEyQzzMDiulkRqm67QYFf7FoqEjf1BYGSpjzKVSkemepDJv30Jzyw8uuun8Lj3U7xmnpAXOAwQ3cQ0N0vVnPvgsZ5Piw8Nrc4UjMmMfy3rNB5fVdC/w400-h249/20240314SJvsBAT-macGillivray-simek-andrews-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>SAINT JOHN</b> - The Saint John Sea Dogs picked up a huge win on Thursday night at TD Station, ending an eight-game losing streak in the process.<div><br /></div><div>Pavel Simek scored just 16 seconds into the third period to help the Sea Dogs to a 2-1 victory over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. The win pushes the Sea Dogs to within two points of the Quebec Remparts who currently own the QMJHL's 16th and final playoff spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a fairly uneventful game until the third period with neither generating many quality scoring chances. Simek opened the scoring early in the frame and the Sea Dogs had several other good chances to add to their lead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Drew Elliott scored what looked like an empty netter insurance goal with 1:13 remaining. But the Titan got some life when Matthew McRae scored with 35 seconds remaining. The Titan pressed in the final seconds but could not beat Patrick Leaver.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaver made 31 stops and came oh so close to earning a shutout win.</div><div><br /></div><div>Joshua Fleming made 23 stops in the loss.<br /><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><b>LINEUP</b></div><div>Simek - Beveridge - Elliott</div><div>Peddle - Miller - Fournier</div><div>Reynolds - Groulx - Beaulieu</div><div>Laforge - Beaudry</div><div><br /></div><div>Tivey - Ianniello</div><div>Bilodeau - Mann</div><div>MacLean - Amyot</div><div>Duhamel</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaver</div><div>Robinson</div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRATCHES:</b> The Sea Dogs were without forwards Eriks Mateiko (injury), Luka Benoit (healthy) and Reid Calder (healthy) along with defenseman Jeremie Richard (healthy).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NOTES:</b> Associate coach Jeff Hansen acted as the team's head coach. Head coach Travis Crickard, who collapsed on the bench in Saint John's previous game on Saturday, remains at home recovering... Saint John went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen... Sea Dogs leading scorer Eriks Mateiko was out with an injury again. He has appeared in just two games since Feb. 24... this was just the 13th time this season the Sea Dogs entered a third period in a tie game... Pavel Simek's goal was his first since Feb. 17... Simek had six shots... with 5:55 remaining in the third, Tyler Peddle scored but the puck was clearly put in by a high stick... this was the final meeting of the season between the Sea Dogs and Titan. Saint John went 5-3-0-1... attendance was 2,041.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>HIGHLIGHTS</b></div><div><iframe width="460" height="295" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8PpNCNhui_Y?si=cc2hB6eXQBhx231S" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><b>NEXT GAME:</b> The Sea Dogs travel to Charlottetown to play their final road game of the season on Saturday at 7 p.m.</div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-1887185345436563532024-03-14T12:46:00.000-03:002024-03-14T12:46:39.619-03:00Game Day 63: vs Titan <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYNR1MRaFXVmjM-RO5XlTtp_7vS2_Qed2BGklJbvtAS0IL16pEcLPKj87kGjUz0OpJv-511dyxJJtPG7zEa9pWaid44y5cBYpIBwxulVlSxXuNWZS_nfvuhFcuS5MXMxuWH4Yow8xmgGLXAGGvHubCAK4H3t299Ree-guFNnmTnrrbKdYbhxTRWFt/s1340/vs-BAT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1340" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYNR1MRaFXVmjM-RO5XlTtp_7vS2_Qed2BGklJbvtAS0IL16pEcLPKj87kGjUz0OpJv-511dyxJJtPG7zEa9pWaid44y5cBYpIBwxulVlSxXuNWZS_nfvuhFcuS5MXMxuWH4Yow8xmgGLXAGGvHubCAK4H3t299Ree-guFNnmTnrrbKdYbhxTRWFt/w400-h225/vs-BAT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>SAINT JOHN</b> - The Saint John Sea Dogs are back on home ice tonight.<div><br /></div><div>For the first time since March 1, the Sea Dogs will take to the ice at TD Station as they face Gordie Dwyer and the Acadie-Bathurst Titan for the final time this season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saint John has six regular season games remaining and five will be at home — which may or may not be a good thing. The Sea Dogs have the league's worst record at 8-16-3-2.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Sea Dogs, losers of eight straight, enter play four points back of the Quebec Remparts for the 16th and final playoff spot. The Remparts played last night (losing in Baie-Comeau) so the Sea Dogs have one game in-hand.</div><div><br /></div><div>Game time tonight is 7 p.m.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><b>TV/Radio/Stream:</b> None/<a href="https://chl.ca/lhjmq-seadogs/radio/" target="_blank">Sea Dogs Radio</a>/<a href="https://watch.chl.ca/chl_persona" target="_blank">CHL TV</a><br /><br /><b>2023-24 regular season records:</b> The Sea Dogs are 17-37-5-3 for 42 points (sixth Maritimes/10th Eastern/17th QMJHL) while the Titan are 29-27-3-4 for 65 points (fourth Maritimes/seventh Eastern/11th QMJHL).<br /><br /><b>Last games:</b> The Sea Dogs are coming off a 6-0 loss in Cape Breton on Saturday, a game that ended early in the third period after head coach Travis Crickard collapsed on the bench. Patrick Leaver made 22 saves in the loss. The Titan are coming off a 5-2 win over the Charlottetown Islanders on Sunday. Dylan Andrews scored a pair of goals for Bathurst while singles came from Matthew McRae, Bobby Orr and Milo Roelens. Antoine Keller made 16 saves in the win.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div><b>2023-24 head-to-head: </b>The Sea Dogs are 4-3-0-1 against the Titan this season while Bathurst is 4-4-0-0 against Saint John.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Last meeting:</b> Feb. 2 in Bathurst where the Titan defeated the Sea Dogs 5-3. Milo Roelens and Colby Huggan each scored a pair of goals for the Titan while Dawson Sharkey added a single. Brody Fournier, Drew Elliott and Coen Miller scored for Saint John. Joshua Fleming made 32 saves in the win. Justin Robinson made 42 stops in the loss.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ex-Sea Dogs on the Titan:</b> None.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Titan to watch: </b>Bobby Orr, who was originally drafted by the Sea Dogs, is having one of the more underrated seasons in the QMJHL this year. He sits sixth in league scoring with 79 points and second in assists with 56.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Random stat:</b> The Titan will be an interesting team to watch in the first round of the playoffs. They are 6-2-0-2 in their last 10 games are and on a 5-0-0-1 run.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes:</b> Eriks Mateiko leads Saint John in points with 42 and goals with 22... Joseph Ianniello leads the club in assists with 27... Bobby Orr leads Bathurst in points with 79 and assists with 56... Milo Roelens leads the team in goals with 26... the Sea Dogs are 8-16-3-2 at home... the Titan are 14-14-1-2 on the road... Saint John has lost eight straight games... the Titan have the league's third worst power play (17.2%) while the Sea Dogs have the fourth worst (17.8%)... Roelens has points in six straight road games... Orr has assists in five straight road games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Out of town:</b></div>Charlottetown at Halifax - 7:00 PM ADT </div><div>Cape Breton at Moncton - 7:00 PM ADT </div><div>Rouyn-Noranda at Shawinigan - 7:00 PM EDT </div><div>Victoriaville at Sherbrooke - 7:00 PM EDT</div><div><br /></div></div><div><b>Next game:</b> The Sea Dogs travel to Charlottetown on Saturday to face the Islanders at 7 p.m.</div></div>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427325716038649299.post-58775461943062948242024-03-13T22:15:00.005-03:002024-03-13T22:16:51.300-03:00McCallum, MacDougall win national awards ahead of University Cup start<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBpbbgHs2wOV4wuovhZGviG-jD5FEdGxpYtji1M4m5Sy0M9LR0O5EvBzetTRtj2piiI8ryx50qa0qG6LPnZ9Jip1lFk3p1siA1iXLQrayqlJH4D_qFejy67tLKEwNQTf6FJ7FRPqvIPj_LmuKdEyQjroLKXuR_otQsi0q_pnuNVD5DccDw9I-9DMz/s2048/IMG_6535.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBpbbgHs2wOV4wuovhZGviG-jD5FEdGxpYtji1M4m5Sy0M9LR0O5EvBzetTRtj2piiI8ryx50qa0qG6LPnZ9Jip1lFk3p1siA1iXLQrayqlJH4D_qFejy67tLKEwNQTf6FJ7FRPqvIPj_LmuKdEyQjroLKXuR_otQsi0q_pnuNVD5DccDw9I-9DMz/w400-h266/IMG_6535.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i>James West/UNB Reds</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Former Saint John Sea Dog Kale McCallum <a href="https://goredsgo.ca/sports/mice/2023-24/releases/usportsawards" target="_blank">has been named</a> the U Sports men's hockey defenseman of the year.<div><br /></div><div>McCallum was announced as this year's award winner on Wednesday morning in Toronto. McCallum and the UNB Reds begin the University Cup national championship tournament on Thursday afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>“It’s an honour, but it’s a team award,” said McCallum, <a href="https://goredsgo.ca/sports/mice/2023-24/releases/usportsawards" target="_blank">via the Reds website</a>. “We’re the number one team in the country for a reason. There’s a lot of people behind us, trying to help us get there, so it’s a team award.”</div><div><br /></div><div>McCallum, 22 and in his second season with the Reds, had quite the year on the backend, posting an impressive 11 goals and 31 assists in 30 regular season Atlantic University Sport games. He added two goals and two assists in five playoff matches, helping UNB win yet another AUS title.</div><div><br /></div><div>McCallum spent two seasons with the Sea Dogs before joining the Val-d'Or Foreurs.</div><div><br /></div><div>UNB head coach Gardiner MacDougall, meanwhile, was named the U Sports men's hockey coach of the year for a third time in his career. After a 30-0 regular season and perfect playoff run, there was really no other option but to award MacDougall with the honour.</div><div><br /></div><div>MacDougall guided the Sea Dogs to the 2022 Memorial Cup on home ice.</div><div><br /></div><div>The No. 1 seeded Reds begin the University Cup at 2 p.m. on Thursday when they face the No. 8 seeded Brock Badgers. </div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>There will be a few former Sea Dogs playing in this year's tournament, which is being held at Toronto Metropolitan University's Mattamy Athletic Centre (Maple Leaf Gardens).</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>1. UNB (AUS Champions): Kale McCallum and Nick Blagden</div><div>2. UQTR (OUA Champions): None</div><div>3. UBC (Canada West Champions): None</div><div>4. TMU (OUA runner-up): Kevin Gursoy</div><div>5. Calgary (Canada West runner-up): None</div><div>6. McGill (OUA bronze medalist): William Poirier</div><div>7. Moncton (AUS runner-up): Jeremie Jacob</div><div>8. Brock (OUA fourth/host berth): Olivier Desroches</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>The quarterfinals will be played Thursday and Friday. One side of the bracket will have UNB/Brock and TMU/Calgary while the other will have UQTR/UdeM and UBC/McGill. The semifinals take place Saturday and the medal games Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-gRmJPYrxRQ?si=MJQs0gRQcqjt821W" title="YouTube video player" width="460"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Below are my predictions — and you can find more picks and great coverage of this year's tournament <a href="https://49-sport.com/2024/03/13/usports-mens-hockey-predictions/" target="_blank">at 49 Sports</a>.</div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">My very correct bracket (not up for debate sry) for this year's University Cup.<br /><br />Apologies to my fellow TMU alum but I can't go against my fellow UNB alum on this one. <a href="https://t.co/DDXOV8UgGh">pic.twitter.com/DDXOV8UgGh</a></p>— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) <a href="https://twitter.com/station_nation/status/1768009743354761614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Jamie Tozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15602898789293947650noreply@blogger.com0