Notebook: Murnieks, Latvia finish fourth at U18 worlds

Micheline Veluvolu/IIHF

Saint John Sea Dogs forward Olivers Murnieks and Team Latvia finished fourth at the IIHF U18 Men's World Championship.

The Latvians fell 4-1 to Czechia in the event's bronze medal game on Saturday. On Friday, Latvia fell 1-0 to Slovakia in the semifinals, forcing them into the third-place game.

Murnieks had one shot and was a -2 in 21:08 of ice time – which led the team. He finished the tournament with a goal and five assists in seven games.

Following Friday's game, Murnieks was named one of Latvia's top three players of the tournament.

Sweden defeated host Slovakia 4-2 in the gold medal game.

Sea Dogs forward Alexis Joseph and defenseman Cameron Chartrand were part of Team Canada, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Sea Dogs draft pick Jamie Glance was a member of Team USA, who also fell in the quarterfinals.

CRICKARD MEETS MEDIA

Former Sea Dogs head coach Travis Crickard met with the Swift Current media via Zoom this past week.

Crickard was named the Broncos new head coach and general manager last Friday.

The Southwest Booster and Swift Current Online both have stories on the hiring. CTV also posted a couple videos.

Notebook: Murnieks, Latvia almost upset Canada again

Tim Austen/IIHF

On the one-year anniversary of Eriks Mateiko's shootout winner against Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship, Team Latvia almost pulled off another massive upset.

The Latvians pushed the Canadians as much as they could, sending the match into overtime where Michael Hage scored the winner on a power play, giving Canada a 2-1 win.

The Latvians did an excellent job at limiting quality scoring chances. Like last year, Latvia hung around and scored late in the third period to send the match into extra time. This year though, they didn't have quite enough to get the win.

As expected, Saint John Sea Dogs forward Olivers Murnieks was Latvia's top line centre. He played 19:38, recording one shot and going 15-15 in the faceoff circle.

Despite the loss, this result will no doubt give the Latvians some confidence. They play Finland on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Atlantic.

BEVERIDGE TRADE

The Sea Dogs made their second deal of the trade period on Saturday, sending forward Egan Beveridge to the Quebec Remparts in exchange for forward Félix Pronovost and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Here's what team president and general manager Trevor Georgie had to say about the trade in a news release.

“We are sad to see Egan go but are excited for him to get a fresh start in Quebec,” said Georgie. “He is an outstanding young man and he will be missed around the team and in the community. We wish him the very best.”

The Sea Dogs do not play the Remparts again this season.

Mateiko, Latvia secure quarterfinal spot

Embed from Getty Images 

Saint John Sea Dogs captain Eriks Mateiko scored twice to help Latvia secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Mateiko netted two goals – including the overtime winner – in Latvia's 4-3 win over Germany on Monday at the Canadian Tire Centre. Latvia needed just a single point to secure a spot in the quarters, which take place Thursday. This is the first time Latvia has won two games at a world junior.

The Latvians trailed 2-0 in the second period until Mateiko got them on the board with his second goal of the tournament.

🚨Eriks Mateiko gets Latvia back within one! 🙌#GERLAT #WorldJuniors #IIHF @lhf_lv pic.twitter.com/XXU1CDRfFV

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 30, 2024

Latvia only needed to take the game to overtime to secure a spot in the quarters and send Germany to the relegation game. 3:23 into the extra frame, Mateiko netted the winner for good measure.

LATVIA WINS IT IN OVERTIME 🇱🇻

Who else but Eriks Mateiko, the OT hero! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/UnukGxpWaz

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

Mateiko played 19:09, finishing with four shots and a +2 rating.

Latvia will play their final game of the preliminary round on Tuesday against Finland at 3:30 p.m. Atlantic. They could still inch their way up the Pool A standings depending on other results.

Former Sea Dogs forward Pavel Simek and Czechia are also in action on Tuesday, facing Sweden at 6 p.m. Atlantic.

At the Spengler Cup on Monday, Gerard Gallant, Mike Kelly and Team Canada fell 4-2 to the Straubing Tigers in semifinal play. The Tigers will face HC Fribourg-Gottéron in Tuesday's final.

Big Latvia game Monday; Simek scores in debut

IIHF

After opening the IIHF World Junior Championship with a stunning upset win over Canada, Eriks Mateiko and Latvia were brought back down to reality on Saturday with a 5-1 loss to the United States.

The Latvians outshot the Americans 8-7 in the first period and trailed just 1-0 entering the second. But the underdogs could only contain the powerful United States offense for so long, allowing three goals in the middle frame and 34 shots against in the final 40 minutes.

Latvia is now 1-1 heading into their Monday showdown against Germany, which will be a pivotal game in determining who advances to the quarterfinals and who is forced into the relegation round. Game time is 4:30 p.m. Atlantic at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Mateiko, who scored in regulation time and the shootout on Friday against Canada, had one shot on goal and finished a -1 in 17:09 of ice time in the loss to the Americans.

The Saint John Sea Dogs captain is no longer the only player with a Sea Dog connection playing in this year's tournament. After being named to Czechia's preliminary roster but left off the team's submitted roster, former Sea Dogs forward Pavel Simek has officially been added to the lineup.

Simek, who is now a member of the Rimouski Oceanic, made his world junior debut on Sunday, scoring in the opening period of Czechia's 4-2 win over Slovakia.

Pavel Simek with a nifty move to give Czechia a 2-0 lead!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/J0Yov2lYpp

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2024

Simek played just 2:16 in Sunday's game. His goal was his only shot on net.

Czechia's next game is New Year's Eve against Sweden.

Mateiko, Latvia pull off stunning upset win

Saint John Sea Dogs captain Eriks Mateiko scored the lone shootout goal in Latvia's stunning victory over Team Canada on Friday night at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Mateiko played a starring role in the 3-2 Latvian shootout victory in Ottawa. In 20:59 of ice time, the Washington Capitals prospect had a third period power play goal and six shots on net. His most memorable moment came in the shootout though, scoring the only goal of the breakaway contest in the eighth round.

LATVIA BEATS CANADA IN THE SHOOTOUT 😱

Eriks Mateiko scores the game winner!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/oIVP2ddA89

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2024

It was quite a night for the QMJHL. Along with Mateiko's heroics, Peteris Bulans of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens also scored while Sherbrooke Phoenix goaltender Linards Feldbergs made 55 saves in the win.

In what was only their third-ever victory in round-robin play at the @WorldJuniors, @lhf_lv earned their historic win against Canada thanks to three @QMJHL & @CHLHockey players.@SJSeaDogs forward & Latvian alternate captain Eriks Mateiko scored Latvia's first goal and the…

— Christopher Séguin (@chrisseguin_) December 28, 2024

This was Latvia's third-ever win at the world junior tournament and first over Canada. 

This is the second appearance for Mateiko at the event after playing in last year's.

The Latvians won't have a lot of time to celebrate their win. They face the United States on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Atlantic.

Notebook: Gallant, Kelly to lead Canada

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Former Saint John Sea Dogs head coach Gerard Gallant has gotten the call to coach Canada at the international level once again.

Gallant has been named the head coach of Team Canada for this year's Spengler Cup tournament, which will begin on Boxing Day in Switzerland. Gallant will, as usual, be joined by Mike Kelly, who will be one of three assistant coaches.

The duo had success at the international level just a few years ago. From Hockey Canada's news release:

Gallant returns behind the bench for the first time since winning a gold medal with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. As an assistant coach he won gold and silver at Men’s Worlds in 2007 and 2017. He also served as an assistant coach with Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Canada's first game will be against host HC Davos on Dec. 26. All games will air on TSN.

GRAVEL IN SO

Charles-Edward Gravel remains lights out in shootouts this season.

Gravel stopped all three shots he faced in Saturday's shootout, helping the Sea Dogs earn a 5-4 win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. The 20-year-old goaltender has allowed just one goal on 23 shootout attempts this season and leads the league in shootout victories with three.

The franchise record for shootout attempts faced in a single season is 31, set by Travis Fullerton in 2007-08. Gravel and Fullerton are now tied for the most shootout saves in a single season with 22.

Gravel has a career .792 save percentage in shootouts. This season he is running at .957%.

Catching up on some international stuff

Let's catch up some international hockey news that was missed over the past few weeks...

Tomas Jurco is a Spengler Cup champion.

Jurco helped host HC Davos defeat HC Dynamo Pardubice 5-3 in the championship game on New Year's Eve. It was the first Spengler Cup tournament for the 31-year-old.

Jurco was held pointless in four games at the annual event. His time in the Spengler may best be remembered for this incident that went semi-viral.

This is unacceptable behaviour from Josh Holden, who twice grabs and yanks Tomas Jurco during the Spengler Cup. pic.twitter.com/yCV2XALcA7

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) December 31, 2023

In 17 games with Davos this season, the former Saint John Sea Dogs forward recorded six goals and three assists. Jurco has joined the KHL's Avangard Omsk for the remainder of the season, which marks his third season of playing in the KHL.

Jurco has now won two QMJHL championships, a Memorial Cup, two Calder Cups, an Olympic bronze medal and a Spengler Cup.

Some other news and notes...

• Team Canada fell in the semifinals of this year's Spengler Cup. Canada featured three former Sea Dogs in Chris DiDomenico (two goals and three assists in four games), Nathan Beaulieu (no points in four games) and Eric Gelinas (no points in two games). DiDomenico and Beaulieu were alternate captains.
• Over at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden, Team Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Sea Dogs equipment manager Tyler Jay was a member of the Canadian staff.
• Eriks Mateiko and Team Latvia were also eliminated in the quarterfinals. Goals were hard to come by early in the tournament for Latvia. Mateiko finished with a goal in five games.
• NHL.com mentioned Mateiko in their "prospects on the radar" feature recently. "The size and scoring ability are intriguing," NHL Central Scouting's Jean-Francois Damphousse said. "He has a good shot release and plays an effective net-front game as well. His skating keeps getting better with each viewing and he plays first line, first power play and is often a part of the penalty kill as well."
• The Athletic had a brief report on Mateiko, which noted that he'll likely be a huge piece for Latvia at next year's tournament in Ottawa.
• Next year's world juniors will be held in Ottawa while the 2026 edition will be hosted in Minneapolis and St. Paul, USA Hockey announced last week.

Rough start for Mateiko, Latvia

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

It's been a rough start to the IIHF World Junior Championship for Eriks Mateiko and Team Latvia.

The Latvians are off to an 0-2 start, falling 6-0 to Sweden on Boxing Day and 10-0 to Team Canada on Wednesday. The good news for Latvia: the toughest games, on paper at least, are behind them. The team's two remaining preliminary round games will see them take on Finland (who fell to Germany on Wednesday) and the Germans.

Mateiko had one shot in 15:07 of ice time on Boxing Day. He followed that up with two shots in 18:16 of ice time against Team Canada.

Latvia is back in action on Friday against Finland.

The only other Saint John Sea Dogs connection at this year's tournament is equipment manager Tyler Jay, who is working with the Canadian squad. Canada is off to a 2-0 start following wins over Finland and Latvia.

Sea Dogs forward Eriks Mateiko and equipment manager Tyler Jay facing off today at the #WorldJuniors 🙌#GoDogsGo pic.twitter.com/JwieB8Jair

— Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) December 27, 2023

The Spengler Cup is also underway with Team Canada kicking off the event with a 4-0 win over Frölunda HC on Boxing Day. The Canadian roster features three former Sea Dogs: forward Chris DiDomenico and defensemen Nathan Beaulieu and Eric Gelinas.

DiDomenico had an assist in Team Canada's first game. The squad returns to action on Thursday against host HC Davos.

Davos features former Sea Dogs forward Tomas Jurco. Beaulieu, Gelinas and Jurco were all members of Saint John's 2011 Memorial Cup championship team.

Three ex-Dogs named to Team Canada's Spengler Cup roster

Hockey Canada

Three former Saint John Sea Dogs will represent Canada at this year's Spengler Cup.

Forward Chris DiDomenico along with defensemen Nathan Beaulieu and Eric Gelinas were all named to Team Canada's roster for the annual event, which will take place Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

DiDomenico, who is playing with HC Fribourg-Gottéron in the Swiss National League this year, is no stranger to the Spengler Cup. The 34-year-old will be playing in his seventh Spengler. He's collected five goals and 10 assists in 22 career games at the event.

Beaulieu, who is playing with EHC Kloten of the National League, will be playing in his first Spengler Cup. The 31-year-old is playing overseas for the first time in his career.

Gelinas, who is with HC Ajoie of the National League, will also be playing in his first Spengler Cup. The 32-year-old has been playing overseas since the 2018-19 season.

Beaulieu and Gelinas were both part of Saint John's 2011 Memorial Cup championship team.

Canada's first game is on Boxing Day against Frolunda HC.

HC Davos, the host team, features former Sea Dogs forward Tomas Jurco — who was also part of that 2011 Saint John team.

Notebook: Tivey scratch a coaching decision

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

HALIFAX - The Saint John Sea Dogs were without one of their top defenseman on Saturday.

Nate Tivey was listed as a healthy scratch by the Sea Dogs. While it is trade season in the QMJHL, the scratching was reportedly a coaching decision.

Of note from @qmjhl action today, Nate Tivey's healthy scratch was a coaching decision and not a sign the @saintjohnSeadogs rookie D is on the trading block, said head coach Travis Crickard.

— Kevin Barrett (@KevinBarrettNB) December 31, 2022

The scratch was a bold move by the Sea Dogs coaching staff given that the team was already without veteran defensemen Charlie DesRoches (injury) and Vincent Despont (world juniors). Tivey, who sits 15th in QMJHL rookie scoring with 16 points (all assists), has been on Saint John's top pairing for much of the season.

The Sea Dogs lost Saturday's game 4-1 to the Moncton Wildcats.

MACDONALD DEBUTS

Cam MacDonald had an excellent debut performance for the Gatineau Olympiques on Saturday.

After being traded by the Sea Dogs to the Olympiques on Friday, MacDonald scored two goals in his first game with Gatineau the next day. Gatineau defeated the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 5-4.

MacDonald also had four shots, four hits and went 9/17 on faceoffs in the contest. He was named the game's first star.

Quarterfinal matchups set at world juniors

Embed from Getty Images

The quarterfinal matchups are set at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Following the final day of preliminary round play on Saturday, Monday's quarterfinals will feature Finland taking on Sweden, Czechia facing Switzerland, the United Sates battling Germany and Canada taking on Slovakia.

Here's a brief look at Saturday's action...

• Vincent Despont and Team Switzerland pulled off a 4-3 (lengthy) shootout victory over Slovakia in Moncton. The Swiss were trailing 3-1 in the third but scored twice to send the match to extra time. Despont did not play at all in the game but was surprisingly used as Switzerland's third shooter in the shootout. He fired wide on his attempt.
• All three of Switzerland's victories in the preliminary round came in extra time. They finished fourth in a wild Group B.
• Team Canada had a statement 5-1 win over Sweden in Halifax, securing second spot in Group A. Former Sea Dogs forward Joshua Roy had a goal in the win.
• The other games saw Czechia beat Germany 8-1 in Halifax and the United States down Finland 6-2 in Moncton.
• Saturday's attendance figures: noon - 4,849; 2:30 p.m. - 8,454; 5 p.m. - 8,231; and 7:30 p.m. - 10,301.
• If you're attending world junior games in Halifax, be careful where you park. CTV Atlantic reports on the uptick in parking tickets during the tournament (and if you want to avoid this problem by parking at Scotia Square, do not expect a quick exit).
• At the Spengler Cup on Saturday, Ostap Safin and HC Sparta Praha lost the championship game by score of 3-2 in a shootout to HC Ambri-Piotta. 

Swiss fall to US at world juniors; Canada eliminated from Spengler Cup

Hockey Canada

Vincent Despont and Team Switzerland suffered their first loss of the IIHF World Junior Championship on Thursday while Chris DiDomenico and Team Canada are heading home from the Spengler Cup.

How do you get @SwissIceHockey FIRED UP? You get Vincent Despont to read the starting line-up#WorldJuniors @SJSeaDogs pic.twitter.com/hHLYNrSVQ9

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 29, 2022

Here's a look at Thursday's international action...

• The United States outshot Switzerland 42-19 in a 5-1 victory over Switzerland in Moncton. Sea Dogs defenseman Vincent Despont saw quite an increase in ice time, playing 12:38. The Swiss sit third in Group B with four points heading into their preliminary round finale against Slovakia on Saturday afternoon.
• After a slow start, Team Canada had little trouble with Austria, winning 11-0. Former Sea Dogs forward Joshua Roy had a goal and two assists in the win. Canada will face a big a test on New Year's Eve in Halifax when they take on Sweden.
• Thursday's other games saw Finland shutout Latvia 3-0 in Moncton and Sweden earn a key 3-2 overtime win over Czechia in Halifax.
• Thursday attendance numbers: 12 p.m. - 4,081; 2:30 p.m. - 9,140; 5 p.m. - 7,024; and 7:30 p.m. - 10,170.
• At the Spengler Cup, Chris DiDomenico scored in Canada's 3-1 quarterfinal loss to Orebro HK, eliminating them from the tournament with an 0-3 record. The goal was DiDomenico's first and only point of the tournament.
• Joona Lehmus and IFK Helsinki were also eliminated from the Spengler Cup on Thursday, falling 3-2 to host HC Davos in quarterfinal play. On Friday, Ostap Safin and HC Sparta Praha take on Orebro HK in the first semifinal.

WHAT A MOVE! WHAT A FINISH!

Chris DiDomenico brings Canada within 1. #SpenglerCup pic.twitter.com/OsYhboqDgA

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2022

Wednesday night notes: MacDonald a healthy scratch in Sea Dogs win

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

SAINT JOHN - Cam MacDonald was a late healthy scratch for the Saint John Sea Dogs on Wednesday night.

MacDonald, who has been used a defenseman for the past couple weeks, was originally listed on Saint John's top defense pairing with Nate Tivey. But the 19-year-old was later classified as a healthy scratch.

Given that this is trade season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the move is quite noteworthy.

MacDonald would likely get the biggest return of any of Saint John's veteran players. In his third season in the QMJHL, MacDonald has 16 goals and 13 assists in 27 games. He had four goals and four assists in his final three games before the league's holiday break.

A fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 NHL Draft, there's a possibility MacDonald could return to junior hockey for his overage season in 2023-24. He has not been signed by the Lightning.

20-year-old goaltender Nikolas Hurtubise, who has battled injuries all season, was also listed as a healthy scratch by the Sea Dogs on Wednesday.

The QMJHL's trade deadline is Jan. 6. The Sea Dogs are back in action on Friday in Bathurst.

In other Wednesday news...

• Team Canada rebounded from their opening night loss at the IIHF World Junior Championship, hammering Germany 11-2 in Halifax. Former Sea Dogs forward Joshua Roy had a goal and an assist in the win while Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard recorded seven points. Canada plays Austria on Thursday night.
• Group B, playing in Moncton, remains wild with Slovakia pulling off a 6-3 upset win over the United States. Peter Repcik of the Charlottetown Islanders had a goal for Slovakia. Switzerland and Finland remain tied atop Group B with four points each.
• Wednesday attendance numbers: Slovakia/United States - 6,438 and Germany/Canada - 10,263.
• Vincent Despont and Team Switzerland take on the United States in Moncton on Thursday at 5 p.m.
• At the Spengler Cup Wednesday, former Sea Dogs forward Ostap Safin scored in HC Sparta Praha's big 9-2 win over HC Davos. In the earlier game, former Sea Dogs defenseman Joona Lehmas and IFK Helsinki fell 7-3 to HC Ambri-Piotti. Chris DiDomenico and Team Canada, who are 0-2 so far, take on Orebro HK in quarterfinal play on Thursday. The other quarterfinal matchup has HC Davos facing IFK Helsinki.

Defensemen have done an excellent job of generating offense and Prague has its second goal of the game.

Michal Moravcik's point shot was tipped in by Ostap Safin for the 2-0 goal. #SpenglerCup pic.twitter.com/JjFJVWz8Z9

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) December 28, 2022

Despont, Swiss win again at WJC

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Vincent Despont and Team Switzerland picked up their second win of the IIHF World Junior Championship on Tuesday.

Here's a quick recap of day two tournament action.

• Switzerland defeated Latvia 3-2 in a shootout at Avenir Centre, earning their second win of this year's tournament. The Swiss were down 2-1 late in the third but scored in the final two minutes to send the match to extra time and eventually a shootout.
• Despont, who was once again Switzerland's seventh defenseman, had 5:02 of ice time in the game, which was a bit more than he played in the opener. He took an interference penalty in the first period.
• The Swiss have two wins but have only earned four of a possible six points because both of their victories came in extra time. They are tied with Finland atop Group B.
• Tuesday's other Group B game in Moncton saw Finland down Slovakia 5-2.
• In Group A action in Halifax, Sweden hung on for a 1-0 win over Germany before Czechia defeated Austria 9-0. 
• TSN's Craig Button, who was unable to make it to Moncton for Monday's action due to all the travel/weather chaos, was in the broadcast booth on Tuesday.
• Always cool to see the crowds get behind the underdog teams. The Halifax crowd was really pushing hard for an Austrian goal in the third period.
• The Toronto Star correctly notes that the Halifax airport is too far from... anything.
• The IIHF website has a story on Moncton Wildcats Jonas Taibel and Miles Muller getting to play for Team Switzerland in their home arena.
• Day two attendance numbers: noon - 4,617; 2:30 p.m. - 7,632; 5 p.m. - 3,817; and 7:30 p.m. - 7,105.
• At the Spengler Cup, Chris DiDomenico and Team Canada fell to 0-2 with a 2-1 loss to HC Davos. The Canadians have Wednesday off to prepare for a quarterfinal on Thursday.
• Former Sea Dogs defenseman Joona Lehmas was in the IFK Helsinki lineup on Tuesday in their 5-2 loss to Orebro HK. Lehmus took a delay of game penalty in the loss.

There are only two games at the world juniors on Wednesday with the United States taking on Slovakia in Moncton at 5 p.m. and Canada facing Germany in Halifax at 7:30 p.m.

Lastly, here's Despont trading a puck for some candy.

Solid trade if you ask us 🤝#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/dkkLCrj6Pn

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2022

World juniors begin with two big upsets

MONCTON - The opening day of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship featured a couple of unexpected results.

• The day started with Vincent Despont and Switzerland upsetting Finland 3-2 in overtime at Avenir Centre. Halifax Mooseheads captain Attilio Biasca scored the game-winner in the extra frame. Jonas Taibel of the Moncton Wildcats, playing in his home building, recorded two assists.
• Despont dressed as Switzerland's seventh defenseman and played just 4:31 in the game. Despite the limited ice time, he finished with a +2 rating.
• The second upset of the day came in the final game, which saw Czechia post a 5-2 victory over the heavily favoured Canadians at Scotiabank Centre. One of the major turning points in the match was when Gatineau Olympiques forward Zach Dean was given a five-minute major for a check-to-the-head, which Czechia scored twice on.
• Just a mess of a game for Canada. They return to action on Wednesday against Germany.
• Monday's other games had Sweden hammering Austria 11-0 and the United States edging Latvia 5-2.
• Day one attendance numbers: Noon - 4,465; 2:30 p.m. - 7,274; 5 p.m. - 4,927; and 7:30 p.m. - 10,030.
• The pucks at this year's world juniors have a microchip in them for puck tracking. Fans are being asked to return the puck in exchange for a non-microchipped version when the object flies into the seating area.
• The IIHF website has a rather interesting list of 23 things to do in Moncton and Halifax during this year's tournament.
• At the Spengler Cup, Chris DiDomenico and Team Canada opened the tournament with a 3-2 loss to HC Sparta Praha. Ostap Safin was in the lineup for the Czech side. DiDomenico will wear an 'A' for Canada at the Spengler, it was announced Sunday.

Tuesday will feature four games at the world juniors. In Moncton, Finland will face Slovakia at noon and Switzerland will take on Latvia at 5 p.m. In Halifax, Germany faces Sweden at 2:30 p.m. and Austria battles Czechia at 7:30 p.m.

At the Spengler Cup Tuesday, Canada takes on HC Davos at 3:15 p.m. Atlantic.

DiDomenico to play in Spengler Cup again

Spengler Cup

Chis DiDomenico will try and win a fourth Spengler Cup championship with Team Canada next week.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs forward has once again been named to the Canadian squad that will play in the annual tournament in Davos, Switzerland. This will be the first time the tournament has been held since 2019 due to the pandemic.

Canada won the 2019 tournament that saw DiDomenico record a goal and two assists in four games. This will be the sixth time the 33-year-old has played for Canada at the event. He's recorded a total of four goals and 10 assists in 19 career Spengler Cup matches.

DiDomenico is playing with SC Bern in the Swiss league this year where he's recorded 14 goals and 33 points in 26 games. He's on pace to have one of the best offensive seasons of his professional career.

The Woodbridge, Ontario native spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Sea Dogs from 2006 to 2009. He still holds the franchise record for most points by a rookie (75 points in 2006-07).

The six-team tournament begins on Boxing Day and concludes on New Year's Eve. Canada's first game is on Monday against HC Sparta Praha. Games can be watched on TSN.

DiDomenico might not be the only ex-Sea Dog to skate in the tournament. HC Sparta Praha's roster includes forward Ostap Safin (61 games with Saint John in 2017-18) and IFK Helsinki features defenseman Joona Lehmus (55 games with Saint John in 2019-20).

Grant, Dido to play in Spengler Cup

A couple Saint John Sea Dogs legends will be playing for Team Canada this holiday season.

Forward Chris DiDomenico and defenseman Alex Grant have both been named to Canada's roster for this year's Spengler Cup tournament in Switzerland. The team plays their first game this afternoon against HC Ocelari Trinec. Game time is 3:15 p.m. and can be seen on TSN.

DiDomenico, who played with the Sea Dogs from 2006 to 2008, is a Spengler Cup veteran. This will be his fifth visit to Davos with Team Canada. Last year, the Woodbridge, Ont. native had a goal and an assist in four games.

The 30-year-old is back playing with the SCL Tigers of the Swiss league, recording eight goals and 18 assists in 27 games this year. "Dido" played with the Tigers from 2014 to 2017 before returning to North America to join the Ottawa Senators. After spending the full 2017-18 season on this side of the ocean, DiDomenico returned to Switzerland last year.

Grant is playing with Jokerit, a Finnish based KHL team, for the second straight season. He has four goals and 12 assists in 37 games this year. The 30-year-old will be playing in his first career Spengler Cup and will join fellow Nova Scotian Andrew MacDonald on the Canadian backend.

The first player to ever be draft by the Sea Dogs, Grant played with Saint John from 2005 to 2008, captaining the team to the league semifinals in 2008.

Both Grant and DiDomenico were traded by the Sea Dogs during the 2008-09 trade period, deals that played key parts in acquiring players that led to Saint John's Memorial Cup championship in 2011.

Canada's next game will be either tomorrow or Saturday depending on today's result.

The Spengler Cup championship game will be played on New Year's Eve as usual.

Despres, DiDomenico begin Spengler Cup play

Two former Saint John Sea Dogs begin Spengler Cup play on Wednesday.

Forward Chris DiDomenico and defenseman Simon Despres were both named to Team Canada's roster for the annual tournament, which takes place Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

Canada's first game is this afternoon at 3 p.m. against the host HC Davos.

DiDomenico, 29, has become a regular in Team Canada's lineup. This will be his fourth Spengler Cup appearance, recording two goals and seven assists in 11 career games.

The Woodbridge, Ont. native is back playing with the SCL Tigers in Switzerland where he has seven goals and 20 assists in 27 games this season. Last year, DiDomenico spent the entire campaign in North America, appearing in 24 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators and 50 games in the American Hockey League.

For Despres, this is his first Spengler Cup appearance. The 27-year-old spent last season in the KHL but hadn't been playing anywhere this year until he recently signed with the AHL's Laval Rocket. In five games, he has a goal and an assist.

Despres is no doubt hoping this can help kickstart an NHL comeback. He has seen limited playing time over the past few years due to concussion problems.

DiDomenico and Despres both played with the Sea Dogs during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns. DiDomencio was traded in 2009 to the Drummondville Voltigeurs while Despres spent the rest of his junior career in Saint John, winning a Memorial Cup title in 2011.

All of Canada's Spengler Cup games will be broadcast on TSN.

DiDomenico wins second Spengler Cup title

Chris DiDomenico is a Spengler Cup champion once again.

The former Saint John Sea Dogs forward helped Team Canada to a 5-2 win over HC Lugano on Saturday morning, capturing the Spengler Cup for a second straight year.

Canada lost their first game of this year's tournament, 7-4, to HC Dinamo Minsk on Boxing Day but rebounded with three straight wins to advance to Saturday's final.

DiDomenico, an alternate captain, had an assist in Canada's 5-2 victory on Saturday. The 27-year-old finished the tournament with one goal and two assists in five games.

This year's team featured a number of notable QMJHL alumni, including Brandon Gormley, Zach Fucale and James Sheppard.

This was the third straight year that DiDomenico played with Canada at the tournament. DiDomenico helped Canada win the championship a year ago, recording one goal and three assists in four games - which included two assists in the final. In 2014, DiDomenico was held pointless in two games.

The 27-year-old forward is in his third full season with the SCL Tigers in Switzerland, recording seven goals and 17 assists in 31 games. He had 12 goals and 26 helpers in 46 matches with the Tigers last season, according to Elite Prospects.

A native of Woodbridge, Ont., DiDomenico spent two-and-a-half seasons with the Sea Dogs from 2007-2009. According to Elite Prospects, he is sixth all-time in franchise scoring with 75 goals and 204 points in 166 games.

Later today at 4:30 p.m., Canada's world junior team takes on the United States in Toronto. Sea Dogs forward Mathieu Joseph had two assists in Canada's 10-2 win over Latvia on Thursday while defenceman Thomas Chabot had one helper.

The winner of today's Canada-USA game will win Group B.

Meanwhile, Jakub Zboril and the Czech Republic play Sweden at 2 p.m. in Montreal in their final preliminary round game.

Photo: Hockey Canada

Another big day for Sea Dogs at WJC

Embed from Getty Images

Thomas Chabot had an impressive opening game at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship on Monday. He topped that performance on Tuesday.

Chabot was named Canada's Player of the Game in the team's 5-0 win over Slovakia at Air Canada Centre. The Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman recorded one goal, one assist and three shots in 18:26 of ice time (which once again led all Canadian skaters).

And Thomas Chabot is your player of the game. I promise I'll stop with the Sea Dogs tweets (not actually). pic.twitter.com/UvWQvpIsog

— Ian Joudrey (@IanJoudrey34) December 28, 2016

The goal was the first of Chabot's world junior career. Tonight was his seventh career game.

Chabot puts Canada up 4-0. Slovakia is struggling to contain an endless stream of offense. pic.twitter.com/qFO1Ksc3ZF

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 28, 2016

Chabot also became the first Sea Dog to score for Canada at the world juniors since Jonathan Huberdeau in 2013.