THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up to...

• the Saint John Sea Dogs. It was a wild ride that nobody will soon forget. Good stuff!
• the game on Sunday in Moncton. Mark it down, the rivalry has kicked off - finally!
• Charles Reid of The Guardian newspaper. He does a great job doing a live blog from Rocket home games. I could do without the tunes though.
• speaking of the Rocket, they finally got audio broadcasts! Welcome to the twentieth century my friends.
• the Wildcats who managed to put some YouTube highlights up from Sunday's game. Decent little jingle in the video too.
• the CHL and Sportsnet for some nice articles on the Dogs' winning streak. That may be the first thumbs up ever for Sportsnet.
• Hockey's Future. Sea Dogs Podcast's? Impossible.
• the Sea Dogs and Rocket staff for making the difficult journey across the closed Confederation Bridge possible. It's tough leaving your bus behind.

Thumbs down to...

• the CHL Top 10 rankings. Luckily Station Nation has the real rankings.
• the glass at the Moncton Coliseum. Anybody following my Tweets on Sunday will know what I'm talking about. Look at this guy in the picture above. He can't even see!
• Wayne Long or Telegraph-Journal. One of them put the wrong date in the paper for the next Rivalry Cup game. Well, Irving owns the paper and the Wildcats. Hmm...
• The Hockey News. 22-game winning streak and what do they mention - Kabanov's wrist injury. Way to go Hodge!
• Karel St. Laurent. His play just isn't cutting it amidst all the trade rumors.
• the Wildcat fans questioning Mike Thomas' leadership abilities. Yes, the Sea Dogs have been playing so poorly lately.
• Wild Willie for pulling out of the mascot race. The Sea Dogs really should have gotten the point because he did forfeit. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen Willie!
• the Confederation Bridge. The Dogs are coming in hot, you can't just close the bridge because of high winds.

Things we will be watching this week are how the Sea Dogs respond to a loss, the Jake Allen rumors, and Thursday's attendance.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up to...

• the Sea Dogs. Enough said.
• Karel St. Laurent who silenced his doubters on Saturday with a 2-0 shutout. It was also nice to see him rewarded after carrying a shutout into the third period several times this season.
• Saint John for finally coming out to watch this team. Two thumbs up for those who braved the storm on Sunday afternoon.
• Lewiston head coach Don MacAdam for giving credit to where credit is due. He compared Saint John to last year's Drummondville squad and drooled over the Dogs defense.
• to Irving for giving out the cardboard clapper things (I don't know what you call them) at the door on Saturday.
• Scott McCain for making the trip to Saint John this weekend.
• to the return of Andrew Cromwell. It was only for one game and Peter McDevitt does a fine job, but it was nice to hear his pipes again.
• Felix Schutz. The former Sea Dog appears poised and ready to play for Team Germany in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
• a Windsor Spitfire loss. Maybe, and finally, this could be the week Saint John gets placed number one overall in the CHL Top 10.
• the teddy bear toss! Who doesn't love watching people in the lower bowl beamed in the head with a stuffed panda.
• Scott Darling who purchased over 500 tickets for two games in January.

Thumbs down to...

• holiday fun night. I knew it would bad but this was pathetic effort to show off some holiday spirit.
• the video quality of Sunday's highlights on YouTube. Brutal.
• Olivier Ouellet. Looks like he will surely be traded come deadline time.
• Samuel Carrier of the Maineiacs. He high sticked an official by accident in a pushing match with Zach Phillips.
• the Daily Gleaner. I just don't understand this whole Mike Kelly location thing. If you don't know what I'm talking about, see Sunday's Sea Dogs Post-Game Notebook.
• Alexandre Leduc. He just about killed Mike Hoffman and tripped up St. Laurent in Saturday's game. I guess he didn't want to leave Saint John too much!
• the Lewiston Maineiacs who are now on a 13 game losing streak.
• to the Sea Dogs who never announced (or counted as far as we know) the amount of teddy bears tossed on the ice Saturday.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up to...

• to the Dogs who are on a 17 game winning streak.
• to the big boys. Nicholas Petersen and Mike Hoffman get the points while Marc-Antoine Gelinas makes the saves in this weekend's wins.
• to multicultural day at Harbour Station. Saint John isn't the most diverse city but the show seemed to go on without a hitch.
• to the city of Saint John and surrounding area who supported their Sea Dogs this weekend. Great to see and it's about time!
• Patrick Roy who put on a good show as always!
• the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles who have posted video of the Eagles/Titan warm-up fight. See thumbs down for more.
• what looks to be a very interesting and exciting trade period.
• Mike Thomas who played his heart out and then some this weekend. He had to almost be carried off after scoring his empty net goal on Friday night. (Pictured)

Thumbs down to...

• the QMJHL website for having star Rempart Mikhail Stefanovich who isn't listed on the team's roster. Very strange.
• to Mayor Ivan Court who kept blocking my view on Sunday! Get to your set on time Mr. Mayor!
• the Sea Dogs for not having the Sea Dogs logo tarp over the east end entrance. It found its way back up before the game on Sunday.
• the tricycle race intermission event. It's lame and never works.
• the Voltigeurs who dropped three straight on a road trip through Atlantic Canada.
• le Journal de Quebec reporter Gilles Moffit who just stopped writing after the second period. Hopefully he's not unconscious and still sitting in press box.
• the warm-up scuffle in Cape Breton between the Eagles and Titan.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up to...

• the Sea Dogs again this week as they go 2-0 on a tough road trip.
• the 15 game winning streak. The streak matches the amount of wins Saint John had in 2005-06.
• Mike Hoffman and Nicholas Petersen who were difference makers when they were called upon this week.
• Fleaburn who is now on Facebook! He is also a fan of Station Nation. Sweet!
• the QMJHL schedule. It's rare I like the schedule but this weekend promises to be one of the best. Do not miss it!
• the game on Friday in Drummondville. Junior hockey at its best with the rematch Friday at Harbour Station.
• the Sea Dogs in ad in the Telegraph-Journal last week featuring a player and cast member from "The Nutcracker." Very clever.
• Mathieu Gingras who had a strong for the Maineiacs against his former team.
• former Sea Dog Brett Gallant who got the call to the AHL last week.
• the three Sea Dogs who were represented in the Subway Super Series.

Thumbs down to...

• the QMJHL website. After placing the CHL Top 10 on their site all year, they dis the rankings just in time for Saint John to be placed in the two spot. What a surprise.
• the Telegraph-Journal for not sending a reporter with the team in the midst of the biggest road game of the season. Not good.
• Rob Faulds of Rogers Sportsnet who got the call during the Subway Super Series. Just because they have a French last name doesn't mean you have to use a French accent!
• Karel St. Laurent who let in four goals on 20 shots in Lewiston. He has had his struggles this season and seems to enjoy playing the puck more than stopping it.
• the camera guy in Lewiston. Reports say there was no webcast on Sunday due to the fact the camera operator was a no show. Oh Lewiston!
• Rogers Sportsnet for not broadcasting game three of the Subway Super Series live. The world doesn't need Thursday night football.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Thumbs Up to...

• the Sea Dogs for winning an incredible 13 straight games!
• Sea Dogs alumnus Simon Giroux who stole the show on Thursday night at Harbour Station.
• former Saint John captain Alex Grant for getting the call up to the AHL. Station Nation's been hard on Grant in the past but this is well deserved after a strong start in the ECHL.
• Marc-Antoine Gelinas who is finally getting recognition outside of Saint John by the Chronicle Herald and Rogers Sportsnet.
• Zach Phillips who scored his first career hat trick for Saint John on Saturday. His entire family was in the stands watching.
• the Halifax Mooseheads. Yes, that's right, the Mooseheads have pulled off four straight wins.
• Nathan Belliveau who is now the full-time equipment manager for the Titan.
• the new video opening. Much improved!
• the Sea Dogs program who had a nice article on Sea Dogs alumni now playing in the University ranks.
• Jonathan Huberdeau who play for team Quebec at the World Under-17's in December.
• the QMJHL for raising a grand total of $120,000 for breast cancer this season.

Thumbs Down to...

• Acadie-Bathurst Titan head coach Ron Choules who lost his mind during a time-out on Saturday. Calm down man!
• the officiating. Oh my goodness, the WHL has it rough if these two call this kind of stuff every game. The Huberdeau call for diving was a joke.
• the attendance. Something just isn't right here.
• the schedule. Attention Sea Dogs: there was a parade on Saturday that was probably scheduled for close to a year. The game schedule has been out since June. I know, it's hard to sell to tickets on such short notice.
• to the woman who does the intermission stuff. "We should killing these guys," is just disrespectful.
• Rogers Sportsnet. It looks like junior hockey fans will have to suffer through Rob Faulds calling CHL games this season. TSN, please broadcast CHL games!
• the CHL for charging fans to watch the Subway Super Series on webcast. Shameful!

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Thumbs Up to...

• the Sea Dogs who keep on rolling along. Make it 11 straight games!
• Fleaburn again this week. The mascot is nothing less of insane and has to be among the best in the Canadian Hockey League. Splash who?
• the Dogs for finally getting some autograph sessions set up around Saint John.
• Benjamin Lecomte for showing up his former team this past weekend. Nice!
• the nice job by the Sea Dogs on "Support our Troops Day" yesterday at Harbour Station. The banner at the end was very nice touch.
• Sea Dogs Styles who got some cool new products in this past week which includes stuffed Fleaburn dolls and pennants. Still no 5th anniversary puck?
• a small newspaper called the "Hebdo Rive Nord" for calling the QMJHL the "Courteau circuit." Classic stuff!
• the Halifax Mooseheads for wearing some sweet jerseys on Troops day at the Metro Centre.
• Karel St. Laurent who's mask will be placed in the Hockey Hall of Fame this week. His new mask is just as sweet!
• the new NHL scoreboard on the video screen.

Thumbs Down to...

• for once it wasn't the Sea Dogs fault and if you don't believe them ask them. The Dogs posted on their Twitter page that the Telegraph-Journal put in the wrong ad, saying that there was a game on Friday night.
• the Sea Dogs Wikipedia page. It's fixed know but we don't miss anything here. The page still does not have stats from last season however.
• all the people criticizing the QMJHL teams for getting the H1N1 shot. If you were offered the shot, wouldn't you take it.
• the attendance. That's all I'm going to say.
• the Sea Dogs special units. The power play really makes no sense at all.
• the Saturday intermissions. No Timbits on Saturday night!
• the Huskies medical staff. A player was hurt and bent over and piratically begging for help and the trainer just stood there and watched him go down tunnel!? I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

What a week to be a Sea Dogs fan! Once again I'm left scrambling to find thumbs down material but, of course, I found some.

Thumbs up to...

• Michael Kirkpatrick who scored the biggest goal of the season on Friday night in Baie-Comeau, tying the game with 3.6 seconds on the clock. We'd also like to give a thumbs up to Tim Roszell for one of the best calls in franchise history.
• the goaltending duo of Marc-Antoine Gelinas and Karel St. Laurent. Both got wins this weekend and combined to allow only four goals in three games.
• Jonathan Huberdeau who continues to improve every single game. He is also a perfect 3/3 in the shootout this season.
• head coach Gerard Gallant who seems to have the gift of knowing when to call a time-out.
• whoever spotted the guy at the Tampa Bay Lightning game wearing a Sea Dogs jersey. The picture can be seen on the Sea Dogs Twitter page.
• the Sea Dogs website who has listened and placed the promotions below the game dates on saintjohnseadogs.com.
• an amazing October! Several records were set this past month and here's hoping it continues.
• Zach Phillips who has been very hot of late. Coming off a fight last Sunday he scored a beauty on the Quebec road swing.

Thumbs Down to...

• the Moncton Wildcats for cancelling Sundays game only 90 minutes prior. Wildtown is put to shame over the incident.
• Harbour Station for opening the doors only 30 minutes prior to David Copperfield. Brought back some bad memories of the fan symposium from last season.
• the goal horn. Saint John's recorded goal horn was shown up by Rimouski's lovely sounding horn on Sunday. Maybe someday.
• a particular jersey in white jersey auction. Splash, the hated and retired Sea Dogs mascots sweater is in the auction with a minimum bid of $100! Maybe someone will buy it and run it over.
• the QMJHL teams with no video highlights on YouTube. Come out of the cave and join the 21st century already.
• Cam Russel who broke a stick over the boards in the Mooseheads latest loss according to Metro News. Looking like Christian LaRue more every day.

NEXT MONDAY: Three home games means marketing and attendance are put under the microscope. See you next Monday.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Thumbs Up to...

• Yann Sauve for finally making his way to the thumbs up section. He was very impressive this week and was a +8 in the last three games.
• Nathan Beaulieu for a great scrap on Sunday afternoon. Actually all four fights were very good and caused a terrific game on Sunday.
• Gerard Gallant for naming fan favourite and local hero Mike Thomas team captain.
• Sauve, Petersen, Hoffman, and Kirkpatrick for being named alternate captains.
• all the fans who dressed up on Sunday for Halloween fun day. The on ice parade had to be four times larger than last season.
• Fleaburn. Enough said.
• the changing of the intro video. Much improved.
• Irving for giving out free mini-sticks and noise makers. There was ridiculous amount of noise makers left over.
• Karel St. Laurent and Marc-Antoine Gelinas for some very good goaltending this past week.

Thumbs Down to...

• the Pillar's of Fame. After getting a good look at them this weekend, the order really makes no sense at all.
• Olivier Dame-Malka for his cross-check on Galiev. Just an ugly incident that could have been a lot worse.
• the scouts who run the CHL Top 10. Why they do not go by points alone I will never understand.
• the Acadie-Bathurst Titan for turning the parking lot into a playground. At least they weren't drilling soccer balls at each other like the 2008 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies were in the parking lot.
• the Saint John media for some very strange coverage. Neither the Telegraph-Journal or News 88.9 had any news on the three Sea Dogs going to the Subway Super Series until a few days after the announcement.
• Titan nation. 1,003 at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre on a Thursday night isn't going to get it down.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Thumbs Up to...

• Michael Kirkpatrick for scoring his 50th career QMJHL goal in the Sea Dogs win over the Rocket on Sunday. (pictured)
• Mike Hoffman for a terrific weekend. Lets keep it going!
• Gerard Gallant for sending a message to his team this week. He called out the veterans and showed the goaltenders some business. If only he was here last season.
• Sea Dogs alumni Travis Fullerton for recording his first shutout of the season for UNB in their 10-0 win over UPEI. It's almost unfair for AUS teams to play UNB.
• Marc-Antoine Gelinas who now has the opportunity to lead the Dogs in net as long as he wants. Can he be consistent though is the real question.
• Fleaburn. All that hard training over the past week was worth it as he beat Wild Willie. Good thing he didn't have a four wheeler.
• Wild Willie for making the trek down the highway. Thumbs down to him for reportedly storming out of Harbour Station after the loss.

Thumbs Down to...

• the Sea Dogs marketing staff. Sunday's attendance was unacceptable.
• the Pillar's of Fame. I had to do a triple take this weekend on the new additions. It just makes no sense the way are setup now with Steven Anthony two pillars to the left of Felix Schutz. Somebody screwed up.
• Louis Domingue. After consulting with some witnesses we all agree that he should have stopped the overtime goal.
• the game day programs. I can memorize team leaders, I want the real stats!
• to the Telegraph-Journal yet again this week who was yet again shown up by the Times & Transcript in terms of Rivalry Cup coverage. At least the crowd was bigger this time.
• Kirill Kabanov. Very disappointing game on Saturday.
• Karel St. Laurent who's wild attempts to play the puck have cost him a starting job.
• the linesmen working Sunday's game and breaking up a fight before it began. Wright vs Thomas would have been a beauty.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Not a lot of negative this week with the Sea Dogs playing terrific hockey. No home games for awhile either so no ripping of the off-ice staff. Here's hoping for an epic week Station Nation!

Thumbs Up to...

• Marc-Antoine Gelinas and his tremendous weekend in goal. He has silenced the doubters - for another week at least.
• the trade of Alexandre Leduc. Many liked Leduc for his feisty play and he did put up some points, but he took to many stupid penalties.
• Kirill Kabanov being cleared to play in Moncton and making Saturday's game at the Station one of the most anticipated games in franchise history.
• Simon Despres on signing his first professional contract this week. Nice to see the Penguins finally sign a good young prospect. (note sarcasm used at the end)
• Kevin Gagne and Nathan Beaulieu. Both are displaying a huge degree of improvement and could both easily triple their point totals from last season.
• the Halifax Mooseheads. Sea Dogs fans know their pain all to well, but at least they are still trying in Moose Country.
• Pink in the Rink night. Kabanov's pink jersey in Moncton went for a reported $2,500.
• Gatineau and their efforts to get an outdoor game next season. Here's hoping the Atlantic division follows in the coming season's.
• the much needed return of Mike Thomas to the Sea Dogs line-up.

Thumbs Down to...

• Cape Breton. Not sure what happened this weekend but they just didn't give Saint John the usual struggles.
• the QMJHL schedule. It's going to feel like the home opener on Saturday.
• the Telegraph-Journal. Apparently Robert McEwan was released on the weekend - not like we'd know.
• the Screaming Eagles website and the Cape Breton Post. You are aware you played two games this weekend, right?
• the PEI Rocket. This is in between thumbs up and down, but why fire Chouinard ten games in when you are one point behind in the Atlantic?
• Titan nation. 1,500 in attendance is not going to get it done.
• the Sea Dogs website for not posting ant promotions about this weekend's games. It's very unfortunate.

Next Week on T.U. - T.D.: Sea Dogs' three games this week, Kirill Kabanov's Saint John debut, and the return at Nicholas Petersen and Mike Hoffman to Harbour Station. All this and more next Monday on Station Nation.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

After a couple weeks off, thumbs up-thumbs down returns by popular demand!

Thumbs up to...

• the Sea Dogs for a great opening weekend both on and off the ice.
• the return of the blimp during intermissions.
• the return of Fleaburn. The overweight dog takes over for Splash who retired during game four of last seasons opening playoff round.
• Kevin Gagne for a terrific start to the season.
• Nick Petersen and Mike Hoffman for making their returns to Saint John.
• Steven Anthony, who is finally starting to produce after two seasons of below average production.
• the new player entrance. Finally no doors or bed sheets to be embarrassed about.
• the Sea Dogs new RBK Edge jersey's. Very Nice.
• the QMJHL who is allowing all teams to where pink jersey's in support of breast cancer research.
• The return of the french public address announcer. Possibly the best move in franchise history. He was not at the Station for the last couple home games but lets hope he is still with us.
• Mike Thomas for standing up for his new teammate in Hoffman. We all know you should not have been suspended.
• the new trash cans at Harbour Station. I like recycling as much as the next guy, but the cans are just plain sweet!
• Jonathan Huberdeau who is a master of beautiful shootout moves.

Thumbs down to...

• the new Sea Dogs intro video. Very, very dull and does nothing to get fans excited.
• the Sea Dogs game day program. No stats, no happy Station Nation.
• Yann Sauve. Where do I begin. Lets just say Nathan Beaulieu and Gagne are creeping up on you my friend.
• the Daily Gleaner for ripping Zach Philips for a slow start to his rookie season.
• the Sea Dogs and the Telegraph-Journal for their poor promoting of the first game of the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup. Sadly, the Moncton Times & Transcript had more coverage even though the game was in Saint John.
• Marc-Antoine Gelinas and Karel St-Laurent. It's time to start helping your defense out a bit.
• Sea Dogs Styles. We are five years in and it's time to get some merchandise.
• the new music guy. I guess when the Sea Dogs said they got a new DJ I assumed that the new music came with him. On another note, please stop playing the same pre-game and intermission tunes.
• Rex Baldwin. Baldwin took over for Tyler Young running the out of town score board on News 88.9. If anything, speed it up please.
• the QMJHL. Mike Thomas should not have been suspended six games for his actions.
• Nicholas Pard. Save the fighting for the ice and the alcohol for the off-season.
• Fleaburn, the four wheeler, and the Harbour Station employee. Enough said.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Thumbs-Up to...

• the Saint John Sea Dogs. A line-up packed with rookies and the Sea Dogs managed to steal two come from behind wins to get off to the best start in franchise history.
• Michael Kirkpatrick. Kirky didn't miss a step in his first game back after flying back from the Traverse City tournament in Michigan.
• Telus for allowing fans to watch there favourite teams open up the season at no cost. (For more in the Telus webcasts see below.)
• the CHL for allowing fans to see all of the new Reebok Edge jerseys on there website.

Thumbs-Down to...

• Telus for the outrageous prices for webcasts this season. I'd really like to see the ratings for the games on Sunday.
• the London Kinights for ruining one of the best jersey's in hockey.
• Acadie-Bathurst Titan fans. This season will be crucial to keep the team in Bathurst and after a great crowd Friday, a lowly 1,500 fans showed up Sunday.
• the Cape Breton Post for just plain awful photography.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Thumbs Up...

• to the city of Fredericton for a terrific crowd in Wednesday's Saint John/Lewiston pre-season game. Luckily this game wasn't in Moncton, or the fire marshal would have been all over it.
• to the release of Andrew Langan. It's the same story every season, if he doesn't want to develop, he shouldn't be playing in a development league.
• to Stanislav Galiev for coming to Saint John in the wake of international controversy. Galiev is deserving of a Sea Dogs sweater.
• to the QMJHL schedule makers. Saint John fans have to endure seeing there team open on the road for a third consecutive season.
  

Thumbs Down...

• to the front office again this week. The schedule's been out since June, and they have not been printed yet?
• to Splash. It's time to stay home and enjoy your retirement. Whoever the guy in the costume was we give a thumbs up too however.
• to Bill Hunt of the Daily Gleaner for his continuous effort to keep the QMJHL out of Fredericton. You've gotta believe Bill!
• to the city of Fredericton for building Willie O'Ree Place with such a small capacity. Doesn't look like the ancient Aitken Centre will be replaced any time soon.
• to Yann Sauve. Here's hoping he picks up some good work ethic at Canucks camp.

THUMBS UP-THUMBS DOWN MONDAY

Each Monday, Station Nation will have a feature called "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down". The feature will have the best, and the worst from the Sea Dogs, QMJHL, and CHL.

Thumbs Up...

• ... to Sea Dogs and Screaming Eagles medical staff on an outstanding job with the injured Ian Saab. The Eagles defenceman was later ruled with a concussion.


• ... to Stanislav Galiev for making the trip across the Atlantic even in the wake of a feud with the Moscow Dynamo.


• ... to Subway on sponsoring the Canada/Russia Challenge. "Super Series" is a big improvement.


• ... to the Sea Dogs for the return of the 07-08 french speaking public address announcer.

Thumbs Down...

• ... to the Moncton media on the lack of news surrounding Kirill Kabanov. He is rumored to be in New York and heading for Moncton.


• ... to the Sea Dogs front office for not having there schedules printed yet. Around 4,000 people have come through the Harbour Station doors for the pre-season. To bad none of them know when to return.


• ... to the QMJHL and Telus, who are rumored to be charging viewers for webcasts this season.


• ... to Moose Jaw city council and the Warriors for not getting a deal made for a new arena.


• ... this is old news, but thumbs down to the London Knights for changing one of the best logo's in hockey this summer.

Check out Station Nation next Monday for the next edition of "Thumbs Up-Thumbs Down."