The city of Saint John is once again suffering from Sea Dogs fever, as hundreds of fans lined up at Harbour Station early Tuesday for a chance to scoop up tickets to Game 1 of the Quebec League finals against the Rimouski Oceanic.
Tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. but fans were already lining up by 6:30 a.m. to gets their hands on the hottest ticket in town.
The dream playoff ride has ended in Halifax, but it continues in Saint John where another Memorial Cup title is a realistic possibility for the Sea Dogs.
The Sea Dogs captured the Memorial Cup, which is the top prize in major junior hockey, last year. After an overtime win on Saturday, the Sea Dogs are one step closer to claiming back-to-back titles.
"Not taking anything for granted," says Sea Dogs President Wayne Long. "We've been there before."
So had the Mooseheads, but it's been awhile since they've played for the Cup.
However, after rallying from a 3-0 series deficit in round two of the playoffs, fans of the Herd started to believe their team might make it back to the Canadian Hockey League Championships.
The Mooseheads' dramatic victories in April ignited their fan base and united a city, but the playoff ride finally ended Sunday when the Rimouski Oceanic took a 3-2 overtime victory over Halifax in Game 6 of their series.
"When they called it (game-winning goal) for review I was hoping it wasn't going to be a goal because I wanted to see a game tonight," says Mooseheads fan Ethan Phillips.
Instead, Halifax fans are now looking forward to what may come next season.
"They remind us of two years ago," says Long. "They will be a force to contend with next year."
"They will be really good next year," says Mooseheads fan Tyler Evans. "They have a shot at winning the Memorial Cup."
Maritime Memorial Cup hopes lay in the hands of the Sea Dogs this season, but first they must win another Quebec League Championship.
Saint John will host Rimouski on Friday and Saturday night. Both games are expected to sell out.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Paul Hollingsworth
