SEA DOGS SEE ATTENDANCE INCREASE

All of the on-ice success has translated into off-ice success for the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs finished the regular season atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League standings and were ranked amongst the best in the entire Canadian Hockey League for much of the year. With such success over this past season and coming off a trip to the President’s Cup Finals, the Sea Dogs saw a solid increase in attendance.

Saint John averaged 4,478 fans per game at Harbour Station this season, a significant increase of 337 more fans per contest. The average places the Sea Dogs with the fourth highest average attendance in the QMJHL behind the Quebec Remparts, Halifax Mooseheads, and Moncton Wildcats.

In a record breaking season, it seems fitting the team would also break their own average attendance record. With an average of 4,478, the Sea Dogs broke their franchise record that was previously set in their inaugural season of 2005-06. They beat the record by the slimmest of margins as the 05-06 season saw an average of 4,477 fans in attendance compared to this year’s 4,478.

Not losing a regulation game at home probably helped a bit in breaking the record.

The team’s attendance has been on a steady rise over the past two seasons.

2010-11: 4,478 (4th)
2009-10: 4,141 (4th)
2008-09: 3,930 (5th)
2007-08: 3,978 (5th)
2006-07: 3,839 (6th)
2005-06: 4,477 (4th)

The year got off to a bit of a rough start attendance wise as only 4,522 fans came to watch the home opener and the Sea Dogs raise to two banners to the rafters of Harbour Station. But the stretch run made up for the early season struggles as seven of the team’s last eight home games had over 5,000 fans in attendance.

The Sea Dogs also had five sell-outs during the regular season with three of them being against the Moncton Wildcats. The five sell-outs in a single season is also a franchise high.

2010-11: 5
2009-10: 2 (Final two games of season)
2008-09: 1 (Home Opener – announced sell-out)
2007-08: 1 (6,538 – largest attended home game in team history)
2006-07: None
2005-06: 1 (Inaugural Game)

With the playoffs starting tonight at Harbour Station, hopefully all the regular season success will translate into some huge crowds throughout the Sea Dogs' post-season run.

Photo Credit: David Connell Web Album

PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 19

Tickets to the Saint John Sea Dogs’ first set of playoff home games go on sale to the general public Saturday, March 19 at the Harbour Station box office, online, and by phone.

The dates for the first two home matches have already been determined. Game One will be on Friday, March 25 at 7:30 pm and Game Two will be held on Saturday, March 26 at 7:00 pm. Games three and four of the best-of-seven-series will be on the road.

Who Saint John will play in the opening round of the post-season has yet to be determined. The Sea Dogs clinched home ice throughout the playoffs last weekend and will face the No. 16 seed in the first round. The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles currently hold that slot but are only two points back of the Halifax Mooseheads for the 15th position. The Baie-Comeau Drakkar can mathematically catch the Eagles but it is highly unlikely that they will.

According to a Sea Dogs press release, the full playoff series schedule will be released soon after the opponent is determined.

Game One will also feature Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Commissioner Gilles Courteau presenting the Jean Rougeau Trophy to the regular season champion Sea Dogs for the second straight year.

Saint John played Cape Breton in the opening round of the 2008 QMJHL playoffs and were swept by the Eagles. Last season, the Sea Dogs took on the Prince Edward Island Rocket in round one won and advanced to the quarter-finals after a five game series.

All-time in first round games, the Sea Dogs are 8-5 overall and have won two-of-three series.

TICKETS GOING FAST FOR SUNDAY'S GAME

Tickets for the Saint John Sea Dogs’ next home contest are going fast.

The Harbour Station website has listed ticket availability for this coming Sunday’s game against the Moncton Wildcats as “limited” for several days now and appears to be destined for a sell-out.

Tickets are still available at the moment and can be purchased at the Harbour Station box office, online, or by telephone.

The match will be Game Seven of the 2010-11 Brunswick News Rivalry Cup Challenge. Saint John has dominated the series this season and currently leads 22-9 with two games to go. Moncton is a long shot to win this year’s Cup with no more games being played at the Coliseum this season, meaning they can no longer earn attendance points.

The Sea Dogs, currently on one of their hottest stretches of the season, destroyed the Wildcats 11-2 on Friday in Moncton.

Sunday’s game at the Station has been labeled as the “Valentine's Day Spectacular.” There will be special promotions including free flowers for the first 400 women in attendance.

Of note, Saint John’s February 18 and 19 games at Harbour Station have already gone from “excellent” to “good.”

TONIGHT'S GAME IS SOLD OUT

Tonight’s Saint John Sea Dogs game against the Moncton Wildcats at Harbour Station is completely sold out. Harbour Station released 200 standing room tickets yesterday but they have since been sold as well.

This is the first sell out for a Sea Dogs game since Game Five of the 2010 President’s Cup Final when tickets were bought in just minutes for the Sea Dogs – Wildcats tilt.

The annual New Year’s Eve game has proven to be a success when held at night. Last year’s game at the Moncton Coliseum was sold out as well.

Fans wishing to follow the Rivalry Cup match can listen on News 88.9, purchase the game on Telus webcast, or follow Station Nation on Twitter or the live blog for updates.

STANDING ROOM TICKETS AVAILABLE

Standing room only tickets have been release for tomorrow’s Saint John Sea Dogs – Moncton Wildcats tilt at Harbour Station. Game time is 7:30 pm.

According to the Harbour Station website, “Standing Room Tickets available only at the Harbour Station Box Office or by calling 657-1234/1-800-267-2800.”

Standing room tickets are $12 for the New Year’s Eve clash.

The Moncton Times & Transcript reported this morning that “there's only 120 seats and 250 standing room tickets remaining for the New Year's Eve game in Saint John.”

With all of the seats sold, Saint John has earned three more points in the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup Challenge.

The standing room tickets will likely sell quickly, giving the Sea Dogs their first sell-out of the season.