Round one of the playoffs for the 2025-2026 QMJHL season begins tonight for the Moncton Wildcats.
It’s the first time they’ve gone head-to-head in the playoffs with the Saint John Sea Dogs since 2010.
Wildcats General Manager Taylor MacDougall told our newsroom that it’s an exciting time of year, “We’ve got a really good opponent, and it should be very entertaining from the fans’ point of view.”
The Moncton Wildcats were ranked number one to wrap up the regular season, but MacDougall expressed that doesn’t define them in the playoffs, “You’re building throughout the season, and the stakes are a lot higher when the playoffs roll around. The standings get thrown out the window as soon as the playoffs start, so you work all year to try and start a series at home. We’re fortunate to have earned that, but we’ve got to earn everything else past that, and it starts tonight.”
Games one and two at the Avenir Centre
It’s two home games to start the series for the Moncton Wildcats. The puck drops at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday night.
MacDougall expressed that it’s pretty awesome having two New Brunswick teams playing in the opening round of playoffs, “I think it builds a lot of intrigue throughout the province, and obviously, there’s a bit of pride on the line. We want to play hard in those games.”
A lot of Wildcats fans have been following and supporting the team for many years, but that’s gaining even more momentum with the addition of Head Coach Gardiner MacDougall and his son, Taylor, as the GM.
‘Go Cats Go!’
“We’re so fortunate to have the fan base that we do. They’re extremely loyal, they’re extremely passionate, and it’s definitely something the players and the organization rally behind. We played a really big game in Charlottetown a week ago, wrapping up the regular season, and to have a full section of Moncton fans and to hear the ‘Go-Cats Go’ chants on the road, that’s pretty cool,” Macdougall conveyed.
Tickets for the playoffs are still available through Ticketmaster and at the Avenir Centre box office.
A Saint John police officer is facing assault charges following an investigation by the Serious Incident Response Team
In a press release issued Thursday morning, the Saint John Police Force said the officer has been charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.
In July 10, the Saint John police contacted the SiRT regarding the alleged force used by one of their officers during an arrest that took place on July 5.
According to the release, officers were responding to a motor vehicle collision on the Harbour Bridge when one of the vehicles involved fled the scene. A brief pursuit followed, ending in the Main Street North area.
The adult male driver was taken into custody, with several officers involved in the arrest. The Saint John police said the man sustained injuries and was taken to hospital afterward.
In a separate release issued Thursday, SiRT said it initially determined in August that the case did not meet its mandate after receiving additional information from police.
However, in early November, the New Brunswick Public Prosecution Services independently referred the incident to SiRT due to concerns about the officer’s alleged use of force. SiRT then launched a formal investigation.
Saint John police said the officer has since been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. A Police Act investigation will follow once the court process concludes.
The officer is scheduled to appear in Saint John provincial court on June 15, according to SiRT.
New Brunswick representatives are headed on a trade mission to Belgium and France.
Premier Susan Holt and others from Opportunities NB and Intergovernmental Affairs, along with the CEO’s from Port Saint John and the Port of Belledune.
The delegation will begin in Belgium to strengthen port-to-port co-operation with Antwerp-Bruges, Port Saint John and the Port of Belledune.
“In the face of global uncertainty and unlawful tariffs from the United States, it is more important than ever that we focus on market diversification so that our New Brunswick businesses can thrive,” said Holt. “This trade mission will give us the chance to share what we already know: New Brunswick is a great place to do business. We’ve got the natural resources and the human resources, and now we need the partners and investment.”
Meetings between Belgian and New Brunswick companies on logistics, energy, marine services, innovation and clean tech will support efforts to identify new customers for New Brunswick’s products. Delegates will also meet with Nicholas Brousseau, Canada’s ambassador to Belgium.
While in France, Holt will meet with Louise Mushikiwabo, the secretary general of the International Organization of La Francophonie. Holt is the first New Brunswick premier to do this since 2016.
Efforts will continue in France to find new trade and investment partners through an economic roundtable with French companies, along with meetings with Crédit Agricole, Eurenco, Nalagx and logistics leaders CMA CGM Group.
A 35-year-old man from Alberta is facing charges after a shooting incident in Dieppe.
Reports of gunshots on Gauvin and Thomas Streets in Dieppe were called into the RCMP at around 12:15 am on March 17.
A motorist reported they were being chased, and gunshots could be heard striking their vehicle.
What appeared to be bullet holes were found on the driver’s side door.
Officers located a white Mercedes SUV that fit the description of the suspect vehicle. The driver, who was known to police, was arrested. Police searched the vehicle and located what is believed to be a controlled substance.
He was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and was placed in the Southeast Regional Correctional Centre. A short time later, he tried to escape the jail but was quickly apprehended.
The suspect appeared in court again on March 25 and was charged with discharging a firearm with intent to wound and reckless discharging of a firearm. The previous charge of trafficking was dropped.
He remains behind bars, awaiting another court date on April 1.
RCMP are still seeking information from the public. They’re particularly interested in a white 2019 Mercedes GLC that was seen in the area of Sorbonne Street and Jeannette Street in Dieppe.
If you have any details, photos or video footage, contact the RCMP.
Those flying to Montreal for business or leisure now have another option.
Porter Airlines will soon offer daily non-stop flights between the Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET)and the Greater Moncton Romeo Leblanc International Airport. (YQM)
These seasonal flights will begin on June 19.
“Providing more options to reach Montréal is important for both our business and leisure travellers,” said Courtney Burns, President and CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport Authority. “This new service with Porter Airlines enhances connectivity and supports the continued growth of our region.”
Flying from Halifax to Montreal is about to get easier.
Porter Airlines has announced a direct flight between Halifax Stanfield and Montreal Metropolitan starting this June.
It will begin June 17, be year-round with up to two flights a day.
“This new route makes it even easier for Canadians to stay connected, strengthening Halifax’s role in Porter’s expanding North American network,” says Porter.
It was implemented March 15 after an assault that briefly sent three individuals to hospital for treatment.
Correctional Service Canada (CSC) says in a news release, an exceptional search has been completed, and operations have returned to normal.
During the search, contraband and other unauthorized items were seized, including “homemade stabbing weapons”.
CSC says they are strengthening measures to prevent contraband from getting into its facilities for a safe and secure environment. They work with police to take action against those who bring contraband in.
Another huge crowd gathered at a rally in Halifax on Friday afternoon.
It is in response to the spring budget that was tabled one month ago with $300 million worth of cuts to sectors such as arts and culture, tourism and disabilities.
There was singing, chanting and a slew of speakers including writer and activist Angela Bowden who said we need to stick together.
“We have so much work to do and we will do it together because the people united will never be divided,” said Bowden as the crowd started to chant with her.
Writer and activist Angela Bowden speaks to a crowd in Halifax. PHOTO: NATALIE CHAISSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING
The spring budget originally had $300 million worth of cuts.
Chris O’Neil with the Nova Scotia Arts Coalition said although they had wind of the cuts a few days before, when the budget got tabled, it was really shocking.
“It literally took all of us about a week to really go through everything and figure out all of the impacts,” said O’Neil.
She said she met with Finance Minister John Lohr a few days later on the matter.
“We said, ‘John, what were you thinking? And he couldn’t really give us an answer. Which is what we’ve seen over and over again with all of the MLA’s,'” explained O’Neil.
Protestors gathered outside Province House in Halifax. PHOTO: NATALIE CHAISSON/ACADIA BROADCASTING
However, O’Neil said there are still issues that affect the Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian communities.
“It’s an unprecedented number of people who have actually spoken. Not just people who actually live and work this stuff all the time, but ordinary Nova Scotians who come from all walks of life,” added O’Neil.
It was Tuesday evening when MLA’s were finishing the debate when the public observing, broke out into song to urge the government to change its mind. This caused legislature to be delayed until the next day and banned the public from the House.
O’Neil said this created a bizarre narrative.
“I mean literally people were singing, ‘it’s okay to change your mind’, and part of the reason they did that is because the politicians are not meeting with us,” says O’Neil. “At a certain point, we exhaust our options.”
She says there is a big difference between safety and comfort, and she feels the singing just made them uncomfortable.
“[It] was not threatening at all. It was super joyful.”
O’Neil said they are tired though.
“We are exhausted. We have been fighting this using every tool we can possibly find,” explains O’Neil. “There’s such a profound lack of interest in the government right now to hear our voices. So, our voices have to get a little louder. And we’re going to just keep going.”
