History: Thursday's Game Is Huge

History says tomorrow night’s Saint John Sea Dogs playoff game will make or break their season.

While losing game one of a best-of-seven is not the end of the world, the Sea Dogs have never won a playoff series when losing the first game. In fact, three of the four times Saint John has lost a series opener they have been swept.

On the flip side, the Sea Dogs are a perfect 14-0 in playoff series where they have won the first game.

Here’s a look at Saint John’s game one performances and how each series ended:

2008 First Round: Defeated PEI 10-4; won series 4-0

2008 Second Round: Defeated Bathurst 4-3; won series 4-2

2008 Third Round: Lost to Rouyn-Noranda 5-3; lost series 4-0

2009 First Round: Lost to Cape Breton 5-4 (OT); lost series 4-0

2010 First Round: Defeated PEI 8-3; won series 4-1

2010 Second Round: Defeated Gatineau 7-4; won series 4-0

2010 Third Round: Defeated Victoriaville 4-2; won series 4-2

2010 Fourth Round: Lost to Moncton 5-1; lost series 4-2

2011 First Round: Defeated Cape Breton 10-0; won series 4-0

2011 Second Round: Defeated Victoriaville 4-1; won series 4-1

2011 Third Round: Defeated Lewiston 5-4 (OT); won series 4-0

2011 Fourth Round: Defeated Gatineau 2-1; won series 4-2

2012 First Round: Defeated Cape Breton 13-4; won series 4-0

2012 Second Round: Defeated Baie-Comeau 9-3; won series 4-0

2012 Third Round: Defeated Chicoutimi 4-1; won series 4-1

2012 Fourth Round: Defeated Rimouski 3-2 (OT); won series 4-0

2013 First Round: Lost to Halifax 11-1; lost series 4-0

2015 First Round: Lost to Baie-Comeau 3-1; lost series 4-1

2016 First Round: Defeated Bathurst 4-1; won series 4-1

How about some of those lopsided game one scores? Hopefully tomorrow’s game will have a bit more intensity. The Sea Dogs and Screaming Eagles open up their quarterfinal playoff series at 7 p.m. at Harbour Station.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation