First-year St. John’s club faces former Fog Devils franchise in QMJHL playoff matchup.
Thomas Jordan
Kicker
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Barry Horlick has watched hockey in St. John’s for nearly 35 years and worked at Mary Brown’s Centre (formerly Mile One Centre) for more than 20. From the Baby Leafs in the early 1990s through the Fog Devils, IceCaps and Growlers, he has seen it all.
He says the buzz around the Newfoundland Regiment feels special.
“When you see these young kids trying to impress the scouts and reach the next level, it is a completely different game than watching the pro teams,” Horlick said. “These kids play with more intensity. They have something to prove, and the fans here are crazy for it.”
The Newfoundland Regiment advanced to the second round of the QMJHL playoffs with a 7-3 victory over the Cape Breton Eagles on Sunday at Mary Brown’s Centre. The win gave them a 4-2 series victory in their first season, marking the first playoff-series win by any Newfoundland-based QMJHL team.
Horlick says the fan energy makes a huge difference.
“With fans on your side, it just gives our guys extra strength and power,” he said. “You’re like a sixth player on the ice, like a power play.”
The Regiment finished the regular season with a 38-22-3-1 record and set a new league record for first-year attendance, averaging 5,234 fans per game.
Ken O’Leary, vice-president of business operations for the Regiment, said the depth of competition was unexpected.
“The talent in this league took me by surprise,” O’Leary said. “Cape Breton gave us a real battle, but our guys found ways to dial it up.”
O’Leary credited the coaching staff and player buy-in for the success.
“It starts with our coaching staff setting examples,” he said. “The players have bought in completely.”
The Regiment will open the second round of the playoffs tonight on the road against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Game 1 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. N.L. time. The higher-seeded Armada will host Games 1 and 2 before the series moves to St. John’s for Game 3 on Monday at Mary Brown’s Centre.
Horlick said the matchup adds an interesting twist.
“Oh yeah, it’s funny how things have come full circle,” he said. “The Armada used to be the Fog Devils before they relocated, so it’s an interesting matchup. Back in the Fog Devils days, it was more of an enforcer and fighting style. Now the league is more skill-based, faster and with a lot more talent.”
The Fog Devils played in the QMJHL from 2005 to 2008 before they moved to Montreal. The team later moved to Boisbriand, an off-island suburb of Montreal, where it became the Armada in time for the 2011-2012 season
Horlick acknowledged the challenge presented by Blainville-Boisbriand.
“This Armada team is tough, one of the best in the league,” he said. “This series won’t be easy.”
The Regiment will look to get off to a strong start on the road tonight while fans back home await their return for Game 3 on Monday, April 13 at Mary Brown’s Centre. A win would move the Regiment one step closer to the QMJHL Gilles‑Courteau Trophy.
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