2022 QMJHL Playoffs | Oceanic vs. Sea Dogs Preview

 

The Saint John Sea Dogs already know where they’ll be in late June, but based on their late season run, it doesn’t matter to them. The 2022 Memorial Cup hosts already appear to be in peak form as they prepare to take on a challenging Rimouski Oceanic squad in this best-of-five showdown.

Hot doesn’t begin to describe the Sea Dogs, who enter postseason play on a 15-game winning streak. After considerable building and roster shuffling, it appears the right combination is in place for this talented bunch.

While New York Islanders prospect William Dufour was setting new franchise records for goals and points, Josh Lawrence was putting together a stunning breakthrough campaign. A pair of deadline deals saw Raivis Kristians Ansons and Philippe Daoust arrive from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Moncton Wildcats, respectively, helping drive the Dogs to first overall in goals scored.

The blueline, which featured familiar faces such as Jeremie Poirier and William Villeneuve, was bolstered at the trade period with the arrival of Vincent Sevigny from the Victoriaville Tigres. Sevigny’s former teammate, Nikolas Hurtubise, arrived to take charge between the pipes while another Moncton acquisition, Thomas Couture, posted an outstanding 18-1-1-0 record in the crease.

The Sea Dogs are seeking their first playoff victory since 2017, when the franchise claimed its third President Cup.

 

The Oceanic, who clearly has its eyes on the future, had no issues with earning its fair share of points in the present as well. Their “offense by committee” style of play was led by the trio of Xavier Cormier, Luka Verreault and William Dumoulin. Alex Drover, who posted 37 points in 44 games, is back in the lineup after missing an extended period due to injury.

On the blue line, Frederic Brunet and Mathis Gauthier helped lead a crew that gained a reputation for shutting down the opposition.

In nets, the rookie tandem of Patrik Hamrla and Gabriel Robert made themselves at home in the Rimouski cage, both posting a GAA below 3.00.

The Oceanic, three-time President Cup and 2000 Memorial Cup Champions, upset the Shawinigan Cataractes in the first round of the 2021 playoffs before falling in three straight to the Val-d’Or Foreurs.

 

The two teams faced each other twice over a five-day span in the regular season, with the Sea Dogs earning a 6-2 decision and the Oceanic posting a 6-1 win back in February. Saint John has yet to lose a playoff game to the Oceanic, sweeping both the 2012 President Cup Final and a 2017 first-round encounter.

If the Sea Dogs haven’t had enough tests to solidify their superlative squad during the regular season, this stingy Oceanic club will make sure they need to pass another one.

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Team Comparison:

	Saint John	Rimouski
Record	47-17-1-3 — 98 Pts	33-26-5-4 — 75 Pts
Division Ranking	2nd Maritimes	2nd East
League Ranking	3rd	9th
GF	311	228
GA	201	204
PP (Overall)	(61/210) 29.0%	(58/272) 21.3%
PK (Overall)	(54/271) 80.1%	(43/194) 77.8%
Leading Rookie	Despont (0-5-5)	Robin (11-22-33)
Leading Scorers	Dufour (56-60-116)	Cormier (29-39-68)
	Lawrence (31-70-101)	Verreault (25-31-56)
	Francis (25-40-65)	Dumoulin (24-29-53)
	Sevigny (18-46-64)	Brunet (12-34-46)
	Burns (27-36-63)	Gaudio (15-22-37)
		Drover (14-23-37)