The province’s two Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams return to the ice for divisional match-ups following the Christmas break.
St. Andrews’ Declan Smith, Beaver Meadow’s Ryan MacLellan and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles visit the Saint John Sea Dogs.
The Screaming Eagles (15-16-3), losers of five straight before the break, are tied with Moncton and Baie-Comeau for 12th in the 18-team league with 33 points, two points back of Victoriaville for 11th, and two points ahead of Val-d’Or and Chicoutimi, who are tied for 15th; the Sea Dogs (10-19-6) are second-last with 26 points.
The season series between the teams is even at two games apiece.
Antigonish’s Blade Mann-Dixon and the Halifax Mooseheads host the Charlottetown Islanders at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
The Mooseheads (21-9-5), who have won three straight and four of their last five heading into the break, are third, a point back of Blainville-Boisbriand and Rimouski, who are tied for top spot; the Islanders (20-11-2) are ninth with 42 points.
Halifax has won three of the first four games in the season series.
Both games get underway at 7 p.m.