Memorial Cup champs Saint John Sea Dogs fall to Moncton Wildcats in QMJHL season opener
Winning the most coveted championship in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) just recently in May of 2011, Saint John Sea Dogs lost the first matchup of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) regular season to rival team, Moncton Wildcats, 3-1 on Thursday,
September 8.
According to analysts, there are many reasons as to why the depressing loss could have taken place as the team failed to pick up the regular season from where they left it off with a championship.
The former Memorial Cup champs, who are defending their cup this season, have lost a lot of players who are currently preparing to participate in training camps of various National Hockey League (NHL) teams for a chance to play in the North American major
league.
Whatever the excuse, it did not stop Wildcats from enjoying their big win in the season opener.
"It's always big beating Saint John given the rivalry we have against them", said Wildcats defenceman James Melindy. "We didn't get the results that we wanted against them last season”.
4,550 fans were present at Harbour Station to witness the event Thursday night and it certainly carried the enthusiasm that had become associated with the matchup even before it was announced.
It is always exciting to see a former championship winner go against and especially lose to a team they thrashed last season and for fans, it could not have been better.
Not being overconfident, Wildcats realised that Saint John Sea Dogs are missing a number of their players, but on the other hand, so are they.
"We had some nervousness with it being the season opener and playing on the road against the Memorial Cup champion", said Melindy. "We've got some young guys who are getting their feet wet in the league. I thought we got more comfortable and played better
as the game went along. Our goaltender (Roman Will) was great tonight. He made a lot of key saves to hold us in when we needed him".
Considering this as a good start to what could become a historic season for them, Moncton Wildcats hope to continue their winning performance against their home opener which takes place on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET, against Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
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